Lighting refurbishment in Switzerland

#1: Save on electricity and electricity bills

Closing the energy-saving gap

Reducing electricity consumption saves money, cuts CO₂ emissions and helps bridge the energy gap in winter.

Options for lighting refurbishment:

Person hält Smartphone in der Hand und auf dem Bildschirm ist die Voransicht des Payback-Rechners zu sehen

Calculate the payback period

Work out how much you’ll save on electricity and maintenance costs by upgrading to LED lighting, and how quickly the new lighting solution will pay for itself. Our payback calculator gives you the result straight away.

#2: Reduce investment

Attractive funding schemes make upgrading your lighting particularly appealing at the moment and help keep investment costs low. However, there are also financing models that allow you to upgrade your lighting without any upfront investment. To this end, Zumtobel offers the ‘Rent lighting instead of buying’ service.

Practical tips for your funding:

As sensor technology and lighting management offer significant potential for savings, their use is often subject to additional incentives.
For your refurbishment project, use only DALI-dimmable LED luminaires.
In many cases, a simple 1-for-1 replacement does not meet current lighting standards. It is better to opt for a complete refurbishment with lighting design in accordance with EN 12464.
To qualify for a grant, minimum energy performance indicators (calculated in accordance with SIA Standard 387/4) and maximum illuminance levels (max. 20% above the standard value) must be met.
Apply for the grant as early as possible and, in any case, before the project is implemented. You can submit further details at a later date.

Funding schemes cannot be combined.
Funding grants are paid exclusively to the building owner.
The schemes support a maximum investment of CHF 300,000 per building owner. If your investment costs are higher, you can submit a project application.
The useful life of the lighting system is set at 15 years. The payback period must be more than 4 years.

Overview of all Swiss funding programmes (in german):

Lightbank is a funding programme under the Prokilowatt scheme. Further information can be found in the Lightbank Terms and Coditions (in german).

A person is holding a smartphone, and the screen shows a preview of the Payback calculator

Check potential savings and funding opportunities

Calculate the potential savings from your lighting refurbishment online, based on the new SIA Standard 387/4. Our instant lighting refurbishment check provides you with specific figures on energy (cost) and CO₂ savings in just one minute, and shows which requirements the new lighting solution meets.

#3: Harnessing lighting management to achieve savings

LEDs are twice as efficient as fluorescent lamps and up to 10 times more efficient than halogen lamps. Given the wide range of options offered by LED technology and the globalised market, choosing the right product can seem somewhat more challenging. Zumtobel not only offers the latest technologies and energy-efficient luminaires for every application, but also expert advisors who provide lighting consultancy to customers throughout Switzerland.

The Zumtobel portfolio includes a range of sensors that act as a link between artificial and natural light. Combined with an intelligent lighting control system, they ensure that the right amount of light is available at all times. Or that the lights are switched off when they are not needed. In particular, the combination of presence detection and daylight control can significantly reduce electricity costs. Furthermore, the right amount of light also plays a key role in people’s concentration and well-being.

With professional planning and commissioning, a lighting system can realise its full potential. When positioned correctly, the number of luminaires can often be significantly reduced. Professional commissioning at the outset also ensures that all components of a lighting solution are optimally coordinated. Zumtobel’s lighting experts are on hand to provide expertise and tailored services at every stage.

#4: Responding to bans on lamps

The import and sale of fluorescent lamps and many halogen lamps have been permanently banned since autumn 2023.

Keyword: LED retrofit

Why is a lighting refurbishment better than retrofit luminaires?

Methods for refurbishment

The entrance area of the Hallenstadion in Zurich, looking into the open hall with its high ceiling and new ceiling lighting

Replace: Replace lights on a one-for-one basis

If you wish to retain the existing lighting design, we recommend a one-for-one replacement of the luminaires. Each luminaire in the system is replaced with a new LED luminaire – without any changes to the existing installation. Modern replacement luminaires improve light quality whilst reducing energy and maintenance costs.

Case studies:
Hallenstadion, Zurich
Parking Obertor, Bremgarten

Replacement of existing lights with new LED lights for the Hilti Innovation Centre

Refurb: Retrofitting luminaires with LED conversion kits

If the existing luminaires are of high quality and in good condition, it makes sense to upgrade the technical components in a way that conserves resources. This can be achieved using standardised retrofit kits or bespoke solutions. This allows for a significant reduction in energy consumption and maintenance costs – whilst maintaining or even improving the quality of light.

See the LED retrofit kits from Zumtobel and Thorn

Case studies:
Hilti Innovation Centre, Schaan

New ceiling lighting at Graf Nutzfahrzeuge AG in Hunzenschwill, with a view

Reuse: Refit the light strip rails

Where long-lasting continuous lighting systems such as TECTON are in use, the existing infrastructure can continue to be utilised. The existing busbars are simply fitted with new LED modules – a quick and resource-efficient process. On the flexible TECTON track, each luminaire can be freely positioned and precisely aligned to meet specific requirements. Sensors or emergency lighting modules can also be integrated.

Case studies:
Graf Nutzfahrzeuge AG, Hunzenschwil

Exterior lighting of the Fortezza Bellinzona Montebello, with the entrance to the castle across the moat

Replan: Redesigning the lighting

If the way the space is used, its layout, or the requirements regarding light quality, efficiency and digitalisation have changed significantly, a complete redesign of the lighting is recommended. This involves developing a new lighting concept – including the layout, luminaires and control system. With professional planning, a lighting system can realise its full potential – through the effective use of every single luminaire.

Case studies:
AMAG Autowelt Zurich
Fortezza Bellinzona
Stade municipal d'Yverdon-les-Bains
Tennis Club TC Luzern Lido

Many businesses know that their lighting fixtures are faulty and need upgrading – yet they often struggle to take the final step. The effort involved seems too great, and the next steps too unclear. This is exactly where Zumtobel comes in: we make the switch to LED manageable, tailored to your needs and efficient.

Applications

A forklift truck drives through a warehouse filled with high-bay racking and stacked pallets

Industry

Upgrading lighting in industrial settings is worthwhile for a number of reasons. We have summarised all the benefits for you – including practical tips and recommendations from our product range.

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Office

A pleasant, motivating working environment, glare-free visibility of the screen and reduced energy costs are the benefits of modern office lighting. With Zumtobel products, you also gain a flexible lighting solution that can be easily adapted to human needs, architectural conditions and new ways of working.

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A modern classroom with a teacher and pupils during a lesson

School classes

Learning guides rather than teachers. Freedom rather than coercion. The new learning concepts no longer fit the standard mould of the past. Innovative teaching methods place greater demands – including on lighting. Many schools are recognising this need and carrying out refurbishments. Zumtobel’s lighting portfolio offers a wealth of options to meet diverse needs and accommodate architectural and budgetary constraints.

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Shop

Modern, high-quality retail lighting does more than simply create shopping experiences and showcase products in the best possible light. By harnessing the emotional impact of light, lighting concepts can be developed that perfectly suit both the target audience and the brand, thereby encouraging customers to make a purchase.

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Grundeli car park with parked cars and a person standing in front of them

Parking garage

Smart, sensor-based lighting solutions have long since found their way into purely functional areas such as parking garages. This is hardly surprising, given that, in addition to reducing energy costs, they offer two key benefits: optimal visibility and enhanced safety.

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Bestfit

BestFIT is your smart assistant for quick and standard-compliant lighting calculations. Simply select the luminaire family or a specific luminaire, then enter the room dimensions and intended use. The free online tool will then determine the ideal number of luminaires and their layout within the room.