My name is Cory Moore, the President and Founder of Beacon Outdoor Lighting located in Naples, Florida. Our company specializes in architectural and landscape lighting design and installation. We created Beacon Outdoor Lighting specifically with the purpose of offering homeowners a superior lighting service. We have designed and installed lighting systems for estate homes with upwards to 250 fixtures to modest single-family homes with a 10-15 fixture lighting design. As a full-service lighting company that offers design, installation, repairs, and maintenance, it has been essential since our conception to offer superior products and service to our valued customers. One of the big questions we pondered in the early inception of our company was the use between drop-in versus integrated LEDs. This information is our attempt to convey the factors we have developed in order to choose the correct lighting source for our projects.
There has been discussion in the lighting industry regarding the pros and cons of using drop-in LED lamps versus integrated LED lighting fixtures. Much of the information currently available does not provide substantial rationale to use one product over the other. In this article, we will explore the two options from an unbiased contractor perspective and end up with a thorough understanding of each light emitting diode (LED) option and which environments are ideal for their use.
Drop-In LEDs versus Integrated LEDs
Before we dive in, it is essential to understand the terms drop-in and integrated. A drop-in is a LED lamp that gets “dropped in” or connected into a fixture’s socket. An integrated fixture is a complete fixture that has the light source built in. An integrated fixture has pre-installed LEDs that may require the use of a tool for “lamping” and “un-lamping”, or it may be completely potted with a liquid compound for protection.
So now we are on the same page, let’s dive into the many factors that a contractor or homeowner should consider when contemplating drop-in versus integrated LEDs for their next lighting project. Here are the top five factors that have guided our decision making.
Top Five Factors to Consider
- Cost: Cost is one of the largest factors that I hear mentioned in discussions about integrated vs drop-in LEDs. Integrated fixtures tend to be more expensive than their drop-in counterparts due to a few factors, one of the main being their novelty to market. Not only is there a substantial price difference between the two fixtures, but there is also a major price difference when it comes to maintenance and replacing a failed LED. Because an integrated LED is more complex, it can take significantly longer to fix if an issue arises. It is worth noting that the lamp life of integrated fixtures can be comparable to drop-in LEDs, keeping unwanted call backs from customers at a minimum.
- Maintenance: Since many outdoor lighting companies are now offering maintenance programs that are either included in their installations or as an added service, maintaining lighting systems has become a large factor in this discussion. Within our company, we aim to optimize maintenance services by implementing a system we can service efficiently, effectively, and economically. Because integrated bulbs are more challenging to get to, or completely inaccessible in the case of fully potted LEDs, they are less efficient to maintain. For drop-ins, we are able to fully stock our vans with replacement lamps for any and all repairs. There is no running back to the supplier, or shipping a lighting fixture back to the manufacturer to wait for a replacement. We have experienced this gives us an advantage over many competitors because we get our client’s system back up and running quicker and for a better price.
- Upgrades: Some integrated LEDS offer upgrades and adjustments to the luminaire, but for many they are sold as-is with no options for upgrades or adjustments in the future. Millions of lighting fixtures installed back in the halogen age are suitable for retrofitting drop-in LEDs, allowing you to upgrade your client’s old systems without starting completely from scratch. Drop-in LED technology is improving incrementally every year, making your lamps upgradable every year or as replacement is warranted. With integrated fixtures, you will most likely have to replace the entire fixture in order to upgrade or replace as needed.
- Warranty & Warranty Process: One way that we keep our clients happy is installing systems with great warranties, guaranteeing longevity of their investment. With that being said, keeping their system up and running is essential. With drop-in LEDs, the warranty process is often fast and efficient since we are usually just replacing a bulb. Most suppliers carry a large inventory of drop-in LEDs with an amalgam of beam angles, wattages, and Kelvin temperatures making it a breeze to get the product you need on a rushed timeframe. Also, because they are so cost-effective, it allows us to keep our vans fully stocked. This way, failed led repairs can be addressed at the time of visit and not require another trip to the jobsite. Warranty is specific to each manufacturer and lamp type, so it is important to find a manufacturer’s warranty process that is fast and efficient.
- Application: The most important factor to consider when choosing between a drop-in and integrated light is the application. So far, we have been pretty hard on the integrated fixtures, but there are a few instances where integrated is the best choice. For starters, aquatic environments are one of the areas we always use integrated fixtures. We install a significant number of lighting systems near or in the ocean or other bodies of water, and we do not want excess moisture or salt water affecting the luminaire. Fully potted integrated LEDs minimize entry points for moisture to the internal components in any aquatic situation. Likewise, there are certain applications we always use drop-ins. For example, we prefer drop-in LEDs for down-lights that are up high and hard to access, as well as any in-grade lights. Both of these scenarios would become incredibly laborious to repair or replace an integrated fixture. With drop-ins, we can easily change the lamp and not have to dismantle the fixture from its structure.
I hope next time you are contemplating the right luminaire for your project you consider the five main factors; cost, maintenance, upgrades, the warranty/warranty process, and the application for the light. I will conclude by highlighting the importance of partnering with a quality LED lighting company, like Brilliance. Brilliance has been offering quality and reliable lighting products that they stand behind with an unprecedented warranty. A manufacturer partnership will increase your confidence and product knowledge giving you the resources to succeed out in the field.
About the Author: Cory Moore
Cory Moore is the President and Founder of Beacon Outdoor Lighting in Naples, Florida.
