Upgrade from T5 to LED in Antwerp hospital
Reduced energy consumption with LED refurbishment
ZAS Augustinus, a hospital in Antwerp faced a critical issue: T5 fluorescent lamps were phased out, leaving a big part of their lighting system outdated and difficult to maintain. With lighting running 24/7 in hospital environments; a fast, sustainable solution was essential.
The challenge: Outdated hospital lighting
- No replacements lamps: T5 fluorescent lighting is phased out
- High energy consumption: inefficient lighting increased operational costs
- Frequent maintenance: time-consuming and expensive repairs and replacements
- Sustainability pressure: stricter energy regulations in healthcare
The hospital turned to Modular for a future-proof LED lighting upgrade that reduced costs and improved performance.
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01 Retaining existing infrastructure
Instead of replacing the entire system, we refurbished the existing lighting profiles, reusing aluminium housings and structural components. This approach:
- Reduced installation time and disruption
- Avoided ceiling works or repainting
- Supported a circular lighting strategy by minimising waste
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02 Upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting
We replaced the outdated T5 lamps with energy-efficient LED modules, specifically designed for the hospital’s SL75 and custom H2A profiles. The new system:
- Improved light quality and uniformity
- Cut energy use by up to 54%, which is a massive saving for a facility that runs lighting 24/7
- Eliminated maintenance issues: no more replacing burnt-out lamps or faulty ballasts
03 Smart lighting ready
The system can now easily be upgraded by using aluminium covers in combination with smart lighting controls:
- Daylight harvesting: lights dim automatically in well-lit areas
- Motion sensors: energy is saved in unoccupied spaces
- Scalability: Easy to add new controls or upgrades as technology evolves
The results: Lower costs and higher efficiency
Why this matters
- Payback in just 3.5 years: meaning the hospital recoups its investment quickly and starts saving
- 831 metres of lighting upgraded: a massive project completed with minimal disruption
- No ceiling damage, repainting or wasted materials: just a smarter, more sustainable lighting system
Upgrade your lighting system
Facing high energy costs or outdated lighting? Modular’s LED refurbishment solutions help reduce energy use, maintenance and environmental impact. Suitable for hospitals, offices and public buildings.
FAQ
Why should hospitals replace T5 fluorescent lighting with LED?
T5 fluorescent lamps are being phased out across Europe, making replacement lamps increasingly difficult to source. Upgrading to LED lighting reduces energy consumption, lowers maintenance costs and improves light quality in healthcare environments.
How much energy can a hospital save by switching to LED lighting?
Hospitals can significantly reduce energy consumption by upgrading from fluorescent lighting to LED. In this project, the LED refurbishment reduced energy use by up to 54%, which is especially important in buildings where lighting operates 24/7.
What is LED refurbishment in existing lighting systems?
LED refurbishment upgrades existing lighting installations by replacing outdated fluorescent technology with energy-efficient LED modules while keeping the original lighting profiles and infrastructure in place. This reduces waste, installation time and renovation costs.
Why is LED lighting important in healthcare environments?
LED lighting improves visual comfort, reduces maintenance and supports more sustainable hospital buildings. Combined with smart lighting controls such as daylight harvesting and motion sensors, LED systems help healthcare facilities lower operational costs and energy use.