Quick Answer
If you’ve recently upgraded your lighting to LED lamps or fittings and suddenly started experiencing flickering, flashing or buzzing, your older lighting control system may be the cause.
Many older Lutron systems were originally designed around halogen lighting technology — not modern LEDs. Whilst these systems were excellent for their time, modern LED lighting behaves very differently electrically and can expose compatibility limitations within older dimming hardware.
An upgrade is not just about fixing technical issues either. It is also an opportunity to modernise the overall experience of the system. Older keypads can be replaced with beautifully refined options such as Lutron Alisse or Palladiom, scenes can be reprogrammed around how the home is used today, and keypad engraving can be updated to better suit modern living.
The good news is that in many cases this can all be achieved without completely starting from scratch.
Common Signs Of LED Compatibility Problems
| Problem | Typical Cause |
|---|---|
| Flickering lights | Incompatible dimming modules |
| Flashing when dimmed | Leading-edge dimming with LEDs |
| Buzzing fittings | Poor LED driver compatibility |
| Lights not turning fully off | Low load instability |
| Poor dimming range | Old dimming technology |
| Random instability | Ageing processors or modules |
Why Does This Happen?
Most older lighting systems were designed for halogen lamps, which behave very differently electrically compared to LEDs.
Modern LED fittings use electronic drivers and low power loads, meaning older dimming modules often cannot control them correctly.
This is especially common with older leading-edge dimming technology.
Leading Edge vs Trailing Edge Dimming
| Leading Edge Dimming | Trailing Edge Dimming |
|---|---|
| Designed for halogen lighting | Designed for modern LED lighting |
| Common in older systems | Common in newer systems |
| Can cause flickering with LEDs | Smoother LED dimming |
| Older technology | Modern dimming method |
Common Older Lutron Systems We Upgrade
We regularly upgrade legacy systems including:
- Lutron HomeWorks Interactive
- Lutron HomeWorks Illumination
- Early HomeWorks QS systems
- Older RPM dimming systems
If your system was installed prior to around 2012, there is a strong possibility it may struggle with modern LED lighting.
The Bigger Problem — Ageing Hardware
Compatibility is only one concern.
Many older Lutron processors and dimming modules are now discontinued, making replacement parts increasingly difficult to source.
We regularly attend properties where older processors have failed completely, leaving homeowners with little option other than a full upgrade.
Can My Existing System Be Upgraded?
In many cases — yes.
One of the advantages of Lutron is that upgrade paths are often available which allow us to retain parts of the existing infrastructure whilst modernising the system behind the scenes.
Depending on the installation, we may be able to retain:
- Existing keypad wiring
- Keypad locations
- Blind wiring
- Parts of the enclosure infrastructure
Benefits Of Upgrading To Modern Lutron HomeWorks
| Upgrade Benefit | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Flicker-free LED dimming | Smooth, stable lighting control |
| Modern app control from Lutron | Control lights and amend scenes with ease |
| Better reliability | Reduced risk of processor failure |
| Tunable white lighting | Improved comfort and wellbeing |
| Smart home integration | Works with Control4 & Crestron |
| Modern keypad finishes | Updated aesthetic throughout the home |
Retrofit-Friendly Solutions
A full rewire is not always necessary.
Modern Lutron systems now offer extensive wireless capabilities, making them ideal for retrofit projects and existing homes where major disruption is undesirable.
This is particularly beneficial for:
- Listed buildings
- Finished interiors
- London apartments
- Period properties
- Homes undergoing partial renovation
Our Upgrade Process
- Detailed survey to map the circuitry, extract code if the processor is still online and document keypad functionality
- Provide a proposal with cost options for a full upgrade including modules and keypads or a partial upgrade with licensing
- Upon approval we would appoint a PM and they would be responsible for overseeing the detailed design – ensuring the central enclosure spaces are designed correctly. Upgrading Lutron with Lutron is simple in terms of enclosures. Upgrading iLight to Lutron for example requires a redesign of the enclosure space and new enclosures.
- We would then order the equipment and prepare as much as possible offsite. If there are to be new keypads, we would agree the engraving with you prior to placing the orders.
- Once everything is in stock, we would arrange a convenient time where the system can be completely down for a period of time whilst the new system is installed. Depending upon the size of the property this can be scheduled with you in advance to minimise any disruption.
- Once completed we would ensure that the programming is correct, and functionality is as it was or any changes that you would like have been deployed.
- We would introduce you to the Lutron app and show you how to make simple changes yourself.
Thinking About Upgrading Your Lutron System?
Whether you are experiencing LED dimming issues, ageing hardware failures or simply want to modernise your home, we specialise in upgrading older lighting control systems to the latest Lutron HomeWorks platform.
We regularly work on both retrofit projects and large-scale luxury homes throughout London and the surrounding areas.
