California has ended the sale of most fluorescent lamps. Screw-base compact fluorescents came off shelves in 2024, and pin-base compact fluorescents and linear tubes followed in 2025. Existing fixtures may stay in service, but replacement lamps are drying up.
What it means for your building
If your office, store or warehouse still runs on fluorescent tubes, each burned-out lamp is now a small problem with no cheap fix. Planning an LED lighting retrofit on your own schedule beats doing it in a rush.
Retrofit options
- LED tubes that bypass the ballast and use the existing fixture. Lowest cost.
- Retrofit kits that replace the fixture's internals.
- New LED fixtures. Highest cost, best light and controls.
Energy code triggers
Changing a significant share of the lighting in a space can trigger California energy code requirements for controls such as occupancy sensors and daylight dimming. A commercial electrician should confirm what applies before you order materials.
Savings
LED lighting typically uses 40 to 70 percent less energy than what it replaces and needs far less maintenance. In warehouses, sensors on high bays add more savings in aisles that sit empty.
Incentives
Utility programs for commercial lighting come and go. Ask what is available at your address when you request a proposal.
Disposal
Fluorescent lamps contain mercury and must be recycled, not thrown away. A proper retrofit includes disposal.
Planning the work
Retrofits can be done area by area, after hours, with no shutdown. We handle them for offices, shops and restaurants and industrial sites, and fold lighting upkeep into maintenance plans.