High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) to LED Conversion Chart (70W to 1000W)
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Selection Methodology: Picks come from verified manufacturer data sheets, certification databases (DesignLights Consortium QPL for commercial fixtures, California Title 24 JA8, FTC Lighting Facts, and EPA ENERGY STAR for recessed downlights), and owner failure-rate analysis. We do not run hands-on lab tests.
High-pressure sodium (HPS) yard, wall-pack, and parking lot lights emit amber-orange light (2100K, CRI 22) in all directions and lose 35% to 45% of their output inside reflectors. Directional white LEDs cut power draw by 60% to 70% while making security cameras, license plates, and walkways far clearer.
HPS to LED Wattage, Delivered Lumens & Savings Chart
Every HPS lamp requires a heavy magnetic core-and-coil ballast and ignitor that add 12% to 25% extra wattage on top of the bulb rating. The table below includes real system draw and annual savings for dusk-to-dawn operation (12 hours/night, 365 days/year at $0.13/kWh commercial average).
| HPS Fixture | LED Watts | Delivered Lumens | Savings / Yr* | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35W / 50W HPS ~46–62W w/ ballast | 15–22W | 2,000–3,000 lm | $19.93 | Calculate |
| 70W HPS ~92W w/ ballast | 25–40W | ~4,500 lm | $33.88 | View 70W |
| 100W HPS ~130W w/ ballast | 35–45W | ~6,000 lm | $51.25 | Calculate |
| 150W HPS ~190W w/ ballast | 50–75W | ~9,000 lm | $72.60 | View 150W |
| 250W HPS ~300W w/ ballast | 90–120W | ~15,000 lm | $111.03 | View 250W |
| 400W HPS ~465W w/ ballast | 130–200W | ~24,000 lm | $170.82 | View 400W |
| 600W HPS (Grow) ~660W w/ ballast | 300–450W | Sized by PPFD (2.7+ µmol/J) | $162.28 | Grow Guide |
| 1000W HPS ~1,095W w/ ballast | 400–500W | ~63,000 lm | $367.26 | View 1000W |
*Based on 4,380 annual hours (12 hrs/night × 365 days) at $0.13/kWh commercial average. Indoor horticultural 600W/1000W HPS upgrades should be sized by photosynthetic photon flux (PPF/PPFD in µmol/s), not human-eye lumens; see our LED Grow Lights Guide.
Why Directional White LEDs Need Fewer Lumens Than Orange HPS
On paper, a bare 400W HPS lamp lists 50,000 initial lumens, which tricks buyers into shopping for 50,000-lumen LEDs that blind neighbors and waste budget. Three optical realities explain why a 22,000–25,000 lumen LED replaces a 400W HPS cleanly:
- Zero reflector trapping: An HPS arc tube fires 360° inside a metal housing. Roughly 35% to 45% of its light bounces inside the reflector or scatters above the horizon as skyglow. Precision Type III or Type V LED lenses place nearly 100% of emitted lumens directly onto the pavement.
- Scotopic (night-vision) response: Human night and peripheral vision relies on rod photoreceptors that barely register monochromatic 2100K yellow-orange sodium light. Crisp 4000K neutral white LED light stimulates both rods and cones, raising perceived ground brightness at half the lumen count.
- Color rendering (CRI 22 vs. CRI 70–80+): Under CRI 22 HPS light, red cars, blue jackets, and brown soil all look muddy gray-brown on security cameras. Upgrading to CRI 70–80+ LED restores true color identification across parking lots and farmsteads.
Type B Corn Bulb Retrofit vs. New Integrated LED Fixture
| Upgrade Route | When It Makes Sense | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Type B LED Corn Bulb (E26 or E39 Mogul) | 70W–150W decorative post-top acorns, historic bollards, or clean wall packs where replacing the housing is impractical. | Verify E26 medium (1 in) vs. E39 mogul (1.5 in) socket, measure internal cage length/width, ensure enclosed-fixture rating, and bypass ballast + ignitor. |
| New Integrated DLC LED Fixture | All 250W, 400W, and 1000W parking lot shoeboxes, farm barn lights, wall packs, and warehouse high bays. | Gives you fresh IP65 weather seals, 4–10kV surge protection, full-cutoff Dark Sky optics, 50,000–100,000 hr drivers, and DLC utility rebate eligibility. |
- Farm poles & barn walls: See Best LED Farm Yard & Barn Lights (`Sunco` & `RAB Yardblaster`).
- Commercial poles & retail lots: See Best LED Parking Lot Shoebox Lights (`Hykolity`, `Lithonia`, `RAB`).
- Indoor warehouses & shops: See Best Warehouse UFO High Bay Lights (`Barrina`, `Hyperlite`, `Lithonia`).
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kelvin LED replaces the warm glow of HPS without glaring?
Choose 3000K (Warm White) full-cutoff fixtures where Dark Sky ordinances apply or near residential bedrooms. Choose 4000K (Neutral White) for commercial parking lots and farm yards to balance visibility with low glare.
How do I know if my HPS bulb has an E26 or E39 mogul base?
Wattage usually tells you: most 35W, 50W, and some 70W/100W HPS bulbs use a standard 1-inch E26 medium screw base, while 150W, 250W, 400W, and 1000W commercial HPS lamps almost always use the larger 1.5-inch E39 mogul base. Confirm the ANSI code on your old bulb or ballast label (e.g., S62 = 70W, S55 = 150W, S50 = 250W, S51 = 400W, S52 = 1000W).
Can I replace a 1000W HPS grow light with a 450W–500W LED?
For a 4×4 ft indoor grow tent, yes: a modern 450W–500W full-spectrum bar or board LED running at 2.7+ µmol/J delivers even canopy PPFD without the radiant infrared heat of a 1000W single-ended HPS. For commercial 5×5 ft open rooms replacing double-ended 1000W HPS, step up to a 650W–730W bar-style LED grow fixture.