
Reduce waste, not performance: Why retrofit is rising in the UK, and the role of Fagerhult’s ReLight in supporting this
In the race towards a net-zero future, the UK is rethinking how it upgrades its built environment. This has become increasingly apparent in the office retrofit market, where sustainable refurbishment is becoming the default choice over demolition and rebuild.
With the pressure to reduce embodied carbon, improve energy performance, and meet stricter regulations, lighting is emerging as one crucial upgrade area, and Fagerhult’s ReLight initiative offers a standout solution.
A shift in thinking: Retrofit first, not rebuild
The UK commercial property remodelling sector is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% to reach £7 billion over the five years through 2024–25, reflecting steady growth in retrofit projects. A mix of economic, regulatory, and environmental factors has driven this growth:
- In London’s Square Mile, the City of London Corporation approved 17 retrofit applications in 2023, a record number, representing over 50% of all planning approvals[i].
- In 2024, Westminster Council launched a retrofit-first policy, requiring developers to preserve at least 50% of the building’s structure where possible[ii].
- Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are also tightening. By 2030, commercial properties must have an EPC rating of B or higher[iii]. This is a target that many ageing office buildings will only meet through deep retrofit.
These shifts have not only made retrofit projects viable but also essential.
Lighting: A hidden solution for sustainable upgrades
While much attention is paid to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), insulation, and glazing in retrofit conversations, lighting remains a powerful but often overlooked opportunity. Fluorescent fixtures - still present in many offices - are inefficient, maintenance-heavy, and incompatible with modern sustainability goals.
This is where Fagerhult UK’s ReLight initiative shines.
ReLight: Smarter, circular lighting for modern workspaces
ReLight is a retrofit concept that upgrades existing Fagerhult luminaires - such as the popular DTI and Notormodels – as well as luminaires from other brands, with new LED engines, drivers, optics, and optional smart controls. Instead of removing and replacing ceiling-mounted fittings, ReLight repurposes the existing housings, saving time, materials, and money.
Here’s how it works:
- Assessment & Kit Design: Fagerhult checks if a standard ReLight kit exists for your luminaires or develops a custom solution.
- Installation: Kits are easy to install, featuring click-fit components and user-friendly documentation.
- Performance Testing: Every refurbished luminaire undergoes thorough testing, is CE-marked, and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Reduced waste, maximum efficiency
The environmental case for ReLight is compelling:
- Up to 70% energy savings compared to fluorescent lighting.
- Reduced embodied carbon by retaining and reusing luminaire housings, especially important for projects aiming for low Whole Life Carbon scores.
- Smart lighting options via Fagerhult’s Organic Response, delivering adaptive, sensor-driven lighting for even greater energy control.
- No aesthetic disruption: Refreshed luminaires look and feel the same but perform dramatically better.
Perfect for retrofit projects
Whether you’re transforming a 1990s office into a Grade A workspace or upgrading outdated ceilings for compliance with EPC standards, ReLight is a low-disruption, high-performance option.
It's particularly well-suited for office refurbishments operating under live conditions, occupied buildings with limited access, projects where ceiling layouts are to be retained, and buildings undergoing sustainability assessments, such as BREEAM.
Customisation for refurbishment projects
Beyond ReLight, Fagerhult also offers extensive customisation options, regularly developing small but precise modifications to our Notor range and other luminaires to work within the constraints of an existing space and the demands of refurbishment projects. Where existing lighting can’t be reused – or it isn’t the most effective way to illuminate the space – customisation can create a solution to fit the exact dimensions, layouts, and performance requirements of your project. This flexibility means you get a perfect match for your environment without compromising on efficiency or aesthetics.
Lighting the path to net zero
According to the UK Non-Domestic National Energy Efficiency Data Framework, lighting is a major contributor to electricity use in non-domestic buildings[iv]. The top three consumers of electricity are factories (33%), offices (15%), and warehouses (12%). Switching to LED with smart controls can significantly reduce that load, directly contributing to ESG goals, net-zero commitments, and compliance with landlord-tenant energy performance requirements.
And because ReLight supports the circular economy, it sends a clear message about your organisation’s values: reduce waste, use resources wisely, and invest in long-term solutions.
As the retrofit market continues to grow across the UK, Fagerhult UK stands ready with ReLight, a solution that meets the moment. It’s efficient, scalable, and sustainability-focused, making it ideal for forward-thinking developers, facilities managers, architects, and contractors.
Want to know if your luminaires qualify for ReLight?
Fagerhult’s team offers assessments and guidance to help determine feasibility, and can design a kit that fits your building and your goals. Get in touch to learn more.
[i] https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/record-year-for-retrofitting/
[ii] https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/new-policy-make-westminster-retrofit-first-city
[iii] https://www.cbre.co.uk/insights/articles/what-can-we-expect-from-the-upcoming-changes-to-minimum-energy-efficiency-standards
[iv] chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62bc5a35d3bf7f2915159f64/non_domestic_need_data_framework_2022.pdf

ReLight your old luminaires.
Together we can take a big step forward to more circular solutions. As one of the largest lighting manufacturers on the market, we have long been at the forefront of new solutions and new technologies. Under the name ReLight, formerly Re:Furbish, we offer the opportunity to upgrade the legacy technology in your luminaires – and extend their life cycle.
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