Why Old Metal Halide Lights Are Costing Your Facility Thousands

If your commercial or community facility in Prince George or Northern BC is still using metal halide lighting, you could be losing thousands of dollars every year—often without realizing it.

At Fraser Current Electric, we regularly upgrade aging metal halide systems to modern LED lighting, and facility managers are consistently shocked by how much money they were wasting on energy, maintenance, and downtime.

This article explains why metal halide lighting is so expensive, how it impacts safety and operations, and why switching to LED is one of the highest-ROI electrical upgrades available today.

What Are Metal Halide Lights?

Metal halide lights are a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting commonly installed in:

• Community halls

• Gymnasiums

• Ice arenas

• Warehouses

• Parking lots

• Industrial facilities

They were popular because they produced bright light—but technology has moved on.

1. Massive Energy Waste

Metal halide fixtures consume significantly more electricity than modern LED lighting.

• A typical metal halide fixture uses 250–400 watts

• An equivalent LED uses 100–150 watts

• Lights often run 10–16 hours per day

That difference adds up fast—especially in large facilities with dozens of fixtures.

💡 Result: Thousands of dollars per year in unnecessary BC Hydro costs.

2. High Maintenance & Lift Costs

Metal halide bulbs:

• Burn out frequently

• Lose brightness long before failing

• Require lifts or scaffolding to replace

In facilities with high ceilings, a single bulb replacement can cost hundreds of dollars once labour and equipment are factored in.

LED fixtures, by contrast:

• Last 50,000+ hours

• Require little to no maintenance

• Often don’t need bulb replacements at all

3. Poor Light Quality & Safety Issues

As metal halide lights age, they:

• Take time to warm up

• Flicker or fail intermittently

• Produce uneven or dim lighting

Poor lighting impacts:

• Safety for staff and visitors

• Sports performance and visibility

• Facility appearance and usability

LED lighting provides instant, consistent, bright light—even in cold Northern BC temperatures.

4. No Rebates, Higher Long-Term Costs

Many utility and energy-efficiency incentives no longer support metal halide systems. LEDs are the standard.

Upgrading now can:

• Reduce operating costs immediately

• Improve inspection and insurance outcomes

• Extend the life of your electrical infrastructure

Waiting only means paying more every month for outdated technology.

LED Lighting Upgrades in Prince George

At Fraser Current Electric, we specialize in commercial and community lighting upgrades throughout Prince George and surrounding Northern BC communities.

We handle:

• Lighting assessments

• LED retrofit planning

• Lift coordination

• Permit-compliant installation

• Minimal disruption to operations

Ready to Stop Wasting Money on Old Lighting?

If your facility still uses metal halide lighting, upgrading to LED is one of the fastest ways to reduce costs and improve safety.

📞 Contact Fraser Current Electric — your trusted electrician in Prince George — to schedule a lighting assessment and see how much you could be saving.