When fluorescent squash court lighting starts to fail, replacing each tube with an LED tube can look like the quickest fix. Sometimes it is a suitable option. In other courts, replacing the complete fixture gives you a better starting point. The decision should follow a check of the existing installation and a lighting plan, rather than a comparison of lamp prices alone.
Start with a survey of the existing court
Record the number and type of fixtures, their mounting positions and height, and the condition of the housings, diffusers and cables. Photograph the installation from court level. Note dark areas, distracting reflections and any flickering reported by players. Ask your electrician to identify the existing control gear and assess whether the wiring and protection remain suitable.
A tired diffuser or dirty reflector can affect the result even when the light source is new. Wall colour and condition also matter in squash, where players track a fast ball against the court surfaces.
When might LED replacement tubes be suitable?
Consider tubes only when the proposed lamp is explicitly compatible with the existing fixture and its electrical arrangement. The installer should follow the lamp manufacturer's instructions and assess any changes to the fixture. A matching length or lamp cap does not establish compatibility.
- Check whether the tube uses the existing ballast or requires an approved wiring conversion.
- Confirm the light distribution works with the existing reflector and mounting position.
- Check mechanical protection, glare and access for future maintenance.
- Compare the complete installed cost, including any wiring work, rather than the tube price alone.
Do not treat ballast bypass or rewiring as a routine maintenance job for club staff. Have a qualified electrician assess and carry out the work.
When does replacing the whole fixture make more sense?
New fixtures are worth comparing when housings are damaged, diffusers have deteriorated, control gear is failing, or the existing layout leaves areas poorly lit. A complete replacement also allows the designer to select a known light distribution and reconsider positioning.
Our AXION 1500 squash fixture is an option to assess within a court-specific design. Neither a product choice nor a fixed fixture count proves that a court meets its required lighting level. Start with the intended use, court geometry and relevant requirements.
Compare both options on the same basis
Ask for a proposal covering the maintained lighting level, uniformity, glare, installation work and maintenance assumptions. Use the same operating hours and electricity tariff for both options. Include control-gear consumption where relevant when estimating the existing system's electricity use.
Separate the upfront cost into equipment, installation, access equipment and disposal. Then compare expected electricity use and maintenance needs. A cheaper initial purchase may be less attractive if it retains components that need replacing soon.
Plan the changeover around court bookings
Agree the court closure period, safe access arrangements and responsibility for removing the old equipment. Ask the installer how fluorescent lamps will be collected for appropriate disposal. Before reopening, check the lighting from normal playing positions and request the agreed measurements and electrical handover information.
What should you send us for an upgrade proposal?
Send court dimensions, mounting height, photos, the current fixture count and your typical weekly operating hours. Include the level of play and any player complaints. Contact Global LED Lights to discuss a suitable replacement approach.
Also read our guide to glare and ball visibility and squash lighting maintenance checklist.
Technical background: TRILUX guidance on lighting squash halls. Photo: Artem Podrez / Pexels. Illustrative stock photograph, not a Global LED Lights installation.