LED & Underwater Lighting Installation
Pool lights haven't been inspected in years? Schedule a lighting safety inspection — aging conduit seals and cracked lenses are the leading causes of pool electrical issues.
Pool Lighting Options
From a simple white LED swap to a full color-show controlled from your phone, we install lighting for every pool size and budget.
Most popular upgrade
Color-Changing LED Fixtures
Single or multi-color LED pool lights offer millions of color options, built-in light shows, and app or button control. They fit the same niche as existing incandescent fixtures and require no new conduit for direct swap replacements. Brands include Pentair IntelliBrite, Jandy WaterColors, and Hayward ColorLogic.
Typical cost
$350 – $900 per fixture (installed)
Best value for safety & efficiency
White LED Upgrade
If color isn't a priority, a white LED upgrade delivers dramatic energy savings over incandescent and halogen lights — using up to 75% less energy with a lifespan 10× longer. Ideal for homeowners who simply want a bright, reliable pool light at a lower operating cost.
Typical cost
$250 – $600 per fixture (installed)
Premium design aesthetic
Fiber-Optic Pool Lighting
Fiber-optic systems generate light at a remote illuminator (outside the pool) and carry it through flexible fibers to multiple points in the pool shell. Because no electricity runs near the water, this is the safest lighting technology available. Often used for starfield effects in pool floors and walls.
Typical cost
$2,000 – $6,000+ (design-dependent)
Complete ambiance package
Deck & Landscape Lighting Integration
Coordinate your pool lighting with low-voltage deck jets, path lighting, and landscape up-lighting for a cohesive nighttime environment. We design and wire complete lighting packages and integrate them with pool automation systems so everything is controlled from one app.
Typical cost
Quoted by scope
Safety Benefits of Upgraded Pool Lighting
Pool lighting is as much a safety feature as an aesthetic one. Well-lit pools allow swimmers to see the bottom clearly, help adults supervise children after dark, and mark the pool edge clearly for guests.
Swimmer Visibility
Proper underwater illumination allows swimmers and supervisors to see the full depth of the pool clearly — a critical safety factor during evening swims.
Code Compliance
Virginia, Maryland, and DC all require that pool wiring meet NEC Article 680. Our licensed electricians ensure all fixtures and conduit are installed to code.
GFCI Protection
All pool lighting circuits must be GFCI-protected. During installation we inspect the existing GFCI breaker and replace it if it's aged or fails testing.
LED vs Incandescent — At a Glance
Energy use
LED
18 – 35 watts
Incandescent
300 – 500 watts
Lifespan
LED
30,000+ hours
Incandescent
1,000 – 3,000 hours
Heat output
LED
Minimal
Incandescent
High (shortens bulb life)
Color options
LED
Millions (RGB)
Incandescent
White only
Replacement frequency
LED
Rarely needed
Incandescent
Every 1–2 seasons
Annualized energy cost
LED
~$5 – $15/yr
Incandescent
~$60 – $120/yr
How a Pool Lighting Upgrade Works
Most LED upgrades are completed in a single visit with no pool drain required. Here's what to expect.
Site Assessment
We inspect existing niches, conduit, junction boxes, and wiring to confirm the upgrade path and identify any code deficiencies.
Quote & Selection
You choose color, brand, and features. We provide a written quote covering parts and labor before any work begins.
Installation
For most LED swaps, the pool stays full. Our licensed electricians remove the old fixture, install the new LED, re-seal the niche, and route wiring to the transformer/control panel.
Test & Commission
We test all color modes, program automation integration if applicable, and confirm GFCI protection before sign-off.
Complete the Package
Pair lighting with pool automation
Pool lighting is most powerful when integrated with an automation system — controlling color, schedules, and scenes from a single app. View all our equipment services.
Related Services
Pool Automation & Smart Controls →
Control lighting color, themes, and schedules from a single smartphone app alongside all your pool equipment.
Pool Electrical Services →
All pool lighting circuits require GFCI protection and waterproof conduit — our licensed electricians install it to code.
Pool Covers & Safety Covers →
Coordinate LED lighting scenes with your automatic cover schedule for a fully automated backyard.
What Our Customers Say
April 2025
“Robert Moore coordinates pool cleaning assignments and contracts and does an excellent job of organizing pool cleaning/repair visits. Dragan Kostadinovic is my " go to" man for organizing pool cleanings and making major repairs to our older pool, including underground hose repairs, skimmer replacements, and rebuilding and replacing pumps and valves and filters above ground. He has one particular employee who is an experienced genius in regard to determining the water flow of valves and determining solutions to complex problems. We eventually will ask them to reline the plaster in our pool because I seriously do not TRUST anyone else to do it. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value Services Cleaning, Remodelling, General repairs & maintenance, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
June 2025
“Beltway Pools saved us when our pool was leaking. The team was quick to diagnose the issue, and Dragan made sure everything was fixed properly. The repair process was smooth and efficient.”
April 2023
“I reviewed multiple proposals on rebuilding a pool upon the purchase of our new house. The previous owner had deferred maintenance on literally every aspect of the pool. Our pool required 100% replacement of the filtration system, heater, skimmers and reconstruction of the drainage system, pool floor, tile and coping. Beltway Pools was by far the most responsive of the bidders with the most reasonable and easiest to understand pricing. Anything that I required clarity on they provided. We now are almost a year past the initial work and they did not deviate one penny from their original pricing. They continue to support us with weekly visits (incremental cost but well worth it) for cleaning and chemical balancing. We are very pleased with our service from Beltway Pools. -Andrew T. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value Services Cleaning, General construction, Remodelling, Swimming pool summerisation, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
Areas We Serve
Serving homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington, DC.
View all service areasPool Lighting — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace pool lights with LED in the DMV?
LED pool light replacement typically costs $350 – $900 per fixture (installed) in the Northern Virginia / Maryland area, including the fixture and installation. For most pools, one main light is standard; larger pools may have two or more. Color-changing LED fixtures cost slightly more than single-color models but are the same installation process. Permit requirements for light replacement vary by jurisdiction — we handle any required electrical permits as part of the project.
Can I change the color of my pool lights with an LED upgrade?
Yes. Most LED pool lights we install are color-changing units that cycle through a full spectrum of colors and preset light shows. Colors can be set to a fixed hue or programmed to match moods, holidays, or synchronize with music. When connected to a pool automation system, color and brightness can be controlled from your smartphone or through preset schedules — turning your pool into a dramatically different space after dark.
Is pool light replacement an electrical job that requires a permit?
Yes — pool lighting is part of the pool's electrical system and must comply with NEC requirements for aquatic environments. In most DMV jurisdictions, like-for-like light fixture replacement in an existing fixture housing doesn't require a separate permit, but any new wiring, junction box changes, or GFCI modifications typically do. Our technicians are licensed to perform pool electrical work in Virginia, Maryland, and DC and will handle any required permits and inspections as part of your project.
How long do LED pool lights last compared to traditional bulbs?
LED pool lights have a rated lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours — compared to incandescent and halogen pool bulbs, which typically last 1,000 to 5,000 hours. In practical terms, an LED pool light running 8 hours per night would last well over 10 years before needing replacement, versus an incandescent bulb that might need replacing every 1–3 seasons. LED fixtures also use 75–85% less electricity than their incandescent equivalents.