Canopy lighting runs dusk to dawn, sits exposed to weather, and is the first thing a driver sees when they pull in. Swapping old metal halide canopy fixtures for LED is one of the most common outdoor retrofits. Here is how to pick the right fixture for gas station canopies and parking garages.
Wattage: LED vs metal halide
Old canopy fixtures were usually 175W, 250W or 400W metal halide. LED canopy lights typically use a fraction of that wattage for similar or better light at the ground, because there is no ballast loss and the light is aimed down instead of lost inside the reflector.
| Old metal halide | Typical LED replacement range |
|---|---|
| 175W MH | About 50W to 75W LED |
| 250W MH | About 75W to 100W LED |
| 400W MH | About 100W to 150W LED |
These are starting points, not a guarantee. Mounting height, canopy height and how bright the station wants to look all change the answer. For more detail see the metal halide to LED wattage chart, or shop by what you are replacing in 250W metal halide replacements and 400W metal halide replacements.
Selectable wattage helps here. Many canopy fixtures let you set the wattage in the field, so you can match the brightness of the canopy next door or the rest of the site without reordering. See selectable wattage and CCT.
Mounting
Most canopy jobs use one of three mounting styles. Check what is in the deck before you order.
- Surface mount. The fixture mounts flat to the underside of the canopy deck. The simplest install on a new or open deck.
- Retrofit into the existing opening. Many old canopy fixtures were recessed into a square cutout. A retrofit style LED or a cover plate keeps water out and covers the old hole.
- Pendant or J box mount. Common in garages and covered areas where the fixture hangs from a box or conduit.
Measure the old cutout and note the junction box location. That one detail saves the most return trips on canopy retrofits.
Wet location and weather
A gas station canopy is covered, but rain, snow and pressure washing still reach the fixtures, especially along the edges. Canopy lights should be wet location rated, and an IP65 or higher rating is typical. If you want the details on the difference between damp and wet, read wet vs damp location and IP ratings.
- Look for a sealed housing and gasketed lens.
- Check the operating temperature range for your climate.
- Surge protection is worth having on outdoor fixtures.
- Seal the old cutout or conduit entry so water does not run down into the fixture.
Light levels
Gas stations typically light the pump islands brighter than the drive lanes and the rest of the lot, so customers can see the pump and the screen and the station looks open from the road. Parking garages need even light with no dark corners for safety and cameras. Check target levels in the foot candle requirements by space type guide, and avoid making the canopy so bright that the surrounding lot looks dark by comparison.
For color, 5000K is the usual choice under a canopy. It reads clean and bright and matches most station branding. Some sites prefer 4000K for a softer look.
Parking garages
Garages have low ceilings, so glare and uniformity matter more than raw output. Look for wide distribution, a diffused lens and a wet or damp rating depending on exposure. Many garage fixtures include occupancy sensors that dim to a low level when nobody is around, which is a big saver for spaces that run 24 hours. Browse parking garage LED lights for garage specific options.
Before you order
- Count fixtures and note the existing wattage and mounting style.
- Measure any recessed cutouts.
- Confirm voltage. Many sites run 277V or 480V, so check that the fixture supports it.
- Choose CCT and confirm it matches the rest of the site.
- Check DLC listing if the customer wants a rebate, and find out if there are rebates in your area.
Shop LED canopy lights
Wet location canopy fixtures for gas stations and garages, at contractor pricing with freight quoted at real cost.
Shop canopy lights