What is a commercial LED retrofit kit and how much does it cost?

An LED retrofit kit replaces the light engine inside an existing fixture housing, reusing the fixture body, wiring, and mounting. This saves 40-60% of the cost vs full fixture replacement because you're not buying new housings or paying for demolition. Wholesale pricing (FOB China 2026): 2x4 troffer retrofit kits: $18-40; HID-to-LED high bay retrofit (150W equivalent): $35-75; magnetic strip-to-linear LED retrofit (4ft): $12-28; screw-in LED corn bulbs (HID replacement): $8-25. DLC-listed retrofit kits qualify for utility rebates, typically $5-15 per kit. Installation labor for retrofit is 50-70% faster than full fixture replacement.

Commercial LED Retrofit Kit Wholesale Distributor: Types, Pricing & Suppliers

Commercial LED Retrofit Kit Wholesale Distributor Guide 2026

Troffer, High Bay, Strip & HID-to-LED Conversion Kits — Pricing, DLC Rebates & Installation Comparison

📌 Key Takeaway: LED retrofit kits save 40-60% vs full fixture replacement by reusing existing housings. Wholesale prices range from $8 (screw-in corn bulbs) to $75 (high bay conversion kits). DLC-listed kits qualify for utility rebates ($5-15/kit). Installation labor is 50-70% faster than full replacement — a 100-fixture retrofit takes 1-2 days vs 3-5 days for new fixtures. The sweet spot is pre-2015 fluorescent troffers and HID high bays — both have huge efficiency gaps vs LED.

📦 Retrofit Kit Types & Wholesale Pricing (FOB China, 2026)

Kit Type	Replaces	Wholesale Price (ea)	MOQ	DLC Listed?	Install Time/Fixture
2x4 Troffer Retrofit	Fluorescent T8/T12 troffers	$18-40	50-200	✅ 150+ DLC models	10-15 min
2x2 Troffer Retrofit	Fluorescent U-bend troffers	$15-35	50-200	✅ 80+ DLC models	8-12 min
HID-to-LED High Bay (150W eq)	400W metal halide high bay	$35-75	20-100	✅ 200+ DLC models	15-25 min
HID-to-LED High Bay (240W eq)	750-1000W MH high bay	$55-110	20-100	✅ 120+ DLC models	20-30 min
Magnetic Strip-to-Linear LED	T12 magnetic strip (8ft/4ft)	$12-28 (4ft)	50-200	✅ 100+ DLC models	8-12 min
LED Corn Bulb (screw-in)	HID mogul-base bulbs	$8-25	50-500	⚠️ Limited DLC	2-5 min
Downlight Retrofit (4"/6"/8")	CFL downlight cans	$5-15	100-500	✅ 300+ DLC models	3-5 min

Kit Type

Replaces

Wholesale Price (ea)

MOQ

DLC Listed?

Install Time/Fixture

2x4 Troffer Retrofit

Fluorescent T8/T12 troffers

$18-40

50-200

✅ 150+ DLC models

10-15 min

2x2 Troffer Retrofit

Fluorescent U-bend troffers

$15-35

50-200

✅ 80+ DLC models

8-12 min

HID-to-LED High Bay (150W eq)

400W metal halide high bay

$35-75

20-100

✅ 200+ DLC models

15-25 min

HID-to-LED High Bay (240W eq)

750-1000W MH high bay

$55-110

20-100

✅ 120+ DLC models

20-30 min

Magnetic Strip-to-Linear LED

T12 magnetic strip (8ft/4ft)

$12-28 (4ft)

50-200

✅ 100+ DLC models

8-12 min

LED Corn Bulb (screw-in)

HID mogul-base bulbs

$8-25

50-500

⚠️ Limited DLC

2-5 min

Downlight Retrofit (4"/6"/8")

CFL downlight cans

$5-15

100-500

✅ 300+ DLC models

3-5 min

⚡ Retrofit vs Full Replacement: Cost Comparison

Cost Factor	Retrofit Kit ($28/ea avg)	Full Replacement ($40/ea fixture)
Fixture/Kit Cost	$2,800	$4,000
Installation Labor	$1,500 (100h × $15/h)	$4,000 (200h × $20/h)
Disposal (old fixtures)	$0 (housing stays)	$300-500
Total Project Cost	$4,300	$8,300-8,500
Savings with Retrofit	48% ($4,000+)

Cost Factor

Retrofit Kit ($28/ea avg)

Full Replacement ($40/ea fixture)

Fixture/Kit Cost

$2,800

$4,000

Installation Labor

$1,500 (100h × $15/h)

$4,000 (200h × $20/h)

Disposal (old fixtures)

$0 (housing stays)

$300-500

Total Project Cost

$4,300

$8,300-8,500

Savings with Retrofit

48% ($4,000+)

🏷️ DLC Rebate Eligibility by Retrofit Type

Kit Type	DLC Premium Available?	Typical Rebate	Payback (vs no rebate)
2x4 Troffer Retrofit	✅ Yes (150+ models)	$8-15/kit	Immediate — rebate covers 30-50% of kit cost
HID High Bay Retrofit (150W eq)	✅ Yes (200+ models)	$10-20/kit	Rebate covers 25-40% of kit cost
Linear Strip Retrofit	✅ Yes (100+ models)	$5-10/kit	Rebate covers 30-40% of kit cost
LED Corn Bulb	⚠️ Few (<20 models)	$2-5/bulb	Minimal — corn bulbs are already cheap

Kit Type

DLC Premium Available?

Typical Rebate

Payback (vs no rebate)

2x4 Troffer Retrofit

✅ Yes (150+ models)

$8-15/kit

Immediate — rebate covers 30-50% of kit cost

HID High Bay Retrofit (150W eq)

✅ Yes (200+ models)

$10-20/kit

Rebate covers 25-40% of kit cost

Linear Strip Retrofit

✅ Yes (100+ models)

$5-10/kit

Rebate covers 30-40% of kit cost

LED Corn Bulb

⚠️ Few (<20 models)

$2-5/bulb

Minimal — corn bulbs are already cheap

📋 When to Retrofit vs Replace

Condition	Retrofit	Replace
Housing in good condition, <15 years old	✅	Overkill
Housing rusted, bent, or damaged	❌	✅ Replace — unsafe to retrofit into damaged housing
Need to change fixture layout/spacing	❌	✅ Retrofitting locks you into existing layout
Adding controls (occupancy/daylight sensors)	✅ (add sensors)	✅ (integrated sensors)
Ceiling renovation planned within 3 years	✅	Wait — replace during renovation
Historic building / architectural fixture	✅	❌ Preservation requirements

Condition

Retrofit

Replace

Housing in good condition, <15 years old

✅

Overkill

Housing rusted, bent, or damaged

❌

✅ Replace — unsafe to retrofit into damaged housing

Need to change fixture layout/spacing

❌

✅ Retrofitting locks you into existing layout

Adding controls (occupancy/daylight sensors)

✅ (add sensors)

✅ (integrated sensors)

Ceiling renovation planned within 3 years

✅

Wait — replace during renovation

Historic building / architectural fixture

✅

❌ Preservation requirements

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