Let’s say your garage, kitchen, office, or shop still uses those old fluorescent tube lights. You flip the switch, and they hum. They flicker. They buzz. One side glows, the other stays dark. It’s time to move on. The good news? You don’t need to rip out everything and start from scratch.
Yes, fluorescent lights can be converted to LED, and it’s one of the smartest lighting upgrades you can make. It saves energy, lowers your electric bill, and ends the cycle of replacing burnt-out tubes every other month. At On Time Electric, we handle these conversions every day—and we’re ready to help you do it right.
Why Convert from Fluorescent to LED?
Let’s get one thing straight: fluorescent tubes had their day. But they come with downsides. They burn out fast, contain mercury, lose brightness over time, and waste energy. LED tubes, on the other hand, are cleaner, longer-lasting, and more efficient.
Here’s what you gain when you make the switch:
- Longer lifespan – Most LED tubes last 5 to 10 times longer than fluorescents.
- Lower energy usage – LEDs use up to 50% less power.
- No more flicker or buzz – Instant light. No warmup. No noise.
- Better light quality – More consistent and natural lighting.
- Safe disposal – No toxic chemicals like mercury.
So yes, you can convert fluorescent lights to LED—and yes, you absolutely should.
What Are Your Conversion Options?
Not all LED tube upgrades are the same. We help you choose the right one based on your fixture type, budget, and long-term needs.
1. Plug-and-Play (Ballast-Compatible) LEDs
These tubes work with your existing ballast. You just pop out the old fluorescent tube and plug in the new LED. Easy, but it depends on the condition and compatibility of your ballast.
- Pros: Fastest installation
- Cons: Still depends on your old ballast, which can fail
2. Direct-Wire (Ballast-Bypass) LEDs
We remove the ballast and rewire the fixture to feed power directly to the LED tubes. No buzzing, no ballast to burn out later.
- Pros: More efficient, less maintenance
- Cons: Requires professional rewiring
3. Hybrid LEDs
These tubes work as both plug-and-play and direct-wire. If your ballast fails later, the same LED tube can still work after rewiring.
- Pros: Flexible future-proofing
- Cons: Slightly higher cost
We help you weigh the trade-offs and pick the right setup for your space.
What’s Involved in the Conversion Process?
Here’s what we do when we show up to upgrade your fluorescent lighting:
Step 1: Assess the Fixtures
We inspect your current setup to see what type of ballast you have, how the fixtures are wired, and how many tubes are involved.
Step 2: Pick the Right LED Tubes
We match you with high-quality LED replacements—right size, right brightness, and the color temperature you want (from warm to daylight bright).
Step 3: Remove or Bypass the Ballast
If we go the direct-wire route, we remove the ballast entirely. This cuts out a failure point and gives your new lights clean, uninterrupted power.
Step 4: Install the New Tubes
Once the wiring is ready, we install your new LED tubes, test everything, and make sure your fixtures light up exactly as they should.
Step 5: Clean Up and Walk Through
We leave your space clean and tidy. No mess, no guesswork. And we walk you through what we did, how it works, and how to get the most from your new lighting.
Fixed right or you don’t pay. That’s how we roll.
When Should You Call for Professional Help?
You can buy LED tubes online, but wiring a fixture incorrectly can lead to shorts, damage, or worse—fire risk. Here’s when to hand it off to the pros:
- You’re unsure about what type of ballast you have
- You want to remove the ballast entirely
- You’re dealing with commercial or multi-fixture setups
- You want to make sure everything is safe and up to code
We’ve done thousands of these conversions. We show up with dependaworthy repair trucks ready to roll, and we get it done safely, cleanly, and fast.
FAQ
Can I just switch the tubes myself?
Only if you’re using plug-and-play tubes and your existing ballast is compatible. But many aren’t. And if the ballast is going bad, your LED won’t last long. We recommend a full conversion for better reliability.
How long do LED tubes last?
Most LED tubes last 30,000 to 50,000 hours. That’s years—possibly a decade—of solid performance without changing a bulb.
Is rewiring my fixture safe?
Yes—if it’s done right. We rewire fixtures to bypass the ballast completely, following current safety codes. Once done, your system is simpler and more dependable.
Will I save money on my energy bill?
Absolutely. LED tubes use significantly less power than fluorescents. If you’ve got a shop, office, or even just a garage full of old tubes, the savings add up quickly.
Do LED tubes work in cold areas like garages?
Yes, and they work better than fluorescents. LEDs handle cold temperatures much better and don’t need warm-up time.
Let’s Upgrade Your Lighting
Don’t wait for another tube to flicker out. Don’t waste money on high energy bills and short-lived bulbs. Let us swap out those old fluorescents for bright, efficient LED lighting you’ll love.
At On Time Electric, we show up when we say we will. We get it right the first time. And we make it look easy. Dependable + Trustworthy = DEPENDAWORTHY! That’s our promise. Give us a call today. We’ll light it up the smart way—on time, every time.
