If your tower still runs on incandescent or xenon obstruction lighting, you are likely paying far more than the light bill suggests. Bulb changes, controller repairs, and the labor to reach a tower and fix them all add up quickly, and none of it goes away on its own. Switching to LED lighting through Tower Lighting as a Service (TLaaS®) removes that burden entirely, with no upfront cost to you.
Why Legacy Tower Lighting Costs More Than Expected
Every lit tower carries ongoing costs beyond the initial installation. LumenServe’s 2026 tower lighting cost analysis breaks down what those costs typically look like for owners still running incandescent or xenon systems.
Bulb Lifespan and Replacement Cost
- Incandescent bulbs typically last around 8,000 hours, close to a year of continuous use, before they need to be replaced.
- Xenon bulbs last longer, around 20,000 hours or about 2.3 years, but cost more per unit.
- LED fixtures are warrantied for 5 years and are built to outlast that.
Replacement bulbs alone typically run $400 to over $1,334, and the tower crew labor to install one adds another $1,601 to $6,670 or more, depending on tower height and location.
Tower Crew Labor and System Repairs
Lighting controllers, power supplies, and other electronic components fail over time, especially in the harsh conditions towers are exposed to. Component costs alone can run from $400 to the cost of a full system replacement, and the technician or tower crew needed to make the repair typically adds another $667 to $5,000 or more.
Electricity and Your Team’s Time
LED fixtures also draw a fraction of the power older incandescent and xenon systems need, which lowers your electricity cost over the life of the system. What is easier to overlook is the labor: verifying the lights are working, logging the observation, coordinating repairs, and reporting outages to the FAA. LumenServe’s analysis found this typically adds up to at least 62 hours of staff time a year, worth roughly $2,535 at a loaded labor rate of $40 an hour, before a single bulb has actually failed.
A Simpler Path: Tower Lighting as a Service (TLaaS®)
One option that eliminates the cost of these repairs entirely is TLaaS®, LumenServe’s tower lighting program. With TLaaS®, we install a new, best-in-class LED system with no upfront cost to you, then manage it for a flat monthly payment over the contract term, typically around 60 months, with the option to purchase the system for $1 at the end.
- We draft the FAA paperwork the lighting change requires, from documentation through submission.
- We install the new LED system to manufacturer specifications, so the full warranty stays intact.
- We decommission and properly dispose of the old lighting system, including fixtures, electronics, and cabling.
- We provide a professional closeout package with photo documentation of the completed system.
Every TLaaS® system includes our Assurance Warranty, which covers parts and labor for the life of the agreement, so the repair costs above become our responsibility instead of yours. Add 24/7 compliance monitoring and scheduled inspections as needed, and your rate stays locked under the LumenServe℠ Price Guarantee.
Legacy Systems vs. TLaaS®: Real Cost Comparison
| Cost Driver | Legacy System (Incandescent/Xenon) | TLaaS® |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Full system purchase | $0 |
| Bulb changes | $400 to $1,334+ per bulb, plus $1,601 to $6,670+ labor | Included |
| Component repairs | $400 to full system cost, plus $667 to $5,000+ labor | Included under the Assurance Warranty |
| Monitoring and reporting | ~62 staff hours a year (~$2,535) | Included with 24/7 monitoring |
| End of term | You still own an aging system | Purchase option for $1 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Upgrading to LED Tower Lighting
How much does switching to LED tower lighting cost?
It depends on tower height, lighting type, and location. See our full breakdown in what LED tower lighting costs. With TLaaS®, though, the upfront cost is $0, since LumenServe installs and owns the system for the length of the agreement.
What is the difference between incandescent, xenon, and LED tower lighting?
Incandescent bulbs last about 8,000 hours, xenon bulbs last about 20,000 hours, and LED fixtures are warrantied for 5 years with a working life well beyond that. LEDs also draw less power and fail less often than the older technologies.
Is a tower owner required to fix a lighting failure right away?
Under 47 CFR §17.48, an owner must correct the outage or notify the FAA so a NOTAM can be issued if it is not fixed within 30 minutes. The lighting system itself must also be checked daily or monitored continuously under 47 CFR §17.47.
How does Tower Lighting as a Service (TLaaS®) eliminate the upfront cost?
LumenServe purchases and installs the LED system, then bills a flat monthly rate over the contract term, typically around 60 months, with the option to buy the system for $1 at the end. You get a new system without the capital outlay.
Who is responsible for maintaining a tower’s lighting system?
The antenna structure owner listed in the FCC Antenna Structure Registration, under 47 CFR Part 17. That responsibility exists whether the owner maintains the system directly or outsources it to a provider like LumenServe.
Can I switch from incandescent or xenon to LED without paying upfront?
Yes. That is exactly what TLaaS® is built for, a full LED upgrade with $0 upfront cost, a flat monthly payment, and no ownership burden until you choose to buy the system for $1 at the end of the term.
Book a Call
Managing tower lighting compliance should not consume your operational resources. Book a Call to learn how TLaaS® can eliminate your repair and bulb-change costs, or reach our sales and account management team directly at (512) 580-4600 or info@LumenServe.com. See what LED tower lighting costs, or read more about what Tower Lighting as a Service is and the top reasons owners upgrade to LEDs.
