This is your bare-bones update requiring little effort and not a lot of money. If you want something more specialized and you are looking to get a better hit on energy savings, then you can go a step further and change to T5 lamps. This will cost a bit more than replacing with T8s, as it often requires the use of a retrofit kit and sometimes requires a fixture change.
But you can end up getting more brightness using less wattage and fewer lamps by going with the smaller-diameter lamps. If energy savings is at the top of your list, and you are willing to make a larger investment on the front-end of your project, then you should consider a full LED retrofit. If your fixtures are still in good shape, the LED tubes are becoming increasingly competitive on pricing, so you may want to evaluate this option even if you think LEDs are out of your budget. If your fixtures are in disrepair cracked lenses, bent reflectors, etc.
Choosing between LED products? We have a few tools that you can use to help navigate the waters and cut through the calculations. Visit our lighting retrofit calculator if you need to get proposed savings and ROI for your project. Check out our written guide to energy savings and payback calculations that can serve as a reference.
Each step of the calculation is spelled out, and we also give our recommendations on when to include which variables. Once your budget and goals are clear, you want to be able to trust your lighting partner. This can range from the manufacturer you choose to the consultant who helps with the energy analysis to the installer who completes the job.
You can contact us here. Find the location nearest you. Start typing and press Enter to search. Have you tried to order T12 fluorescent tubes lately? Why were T12s phased out? The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more. Settings Agree. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
If you place T8 tubes in a fixture with a T12 ballast , then the tubes will have a shorter life due to a higher current through the tube. Yiwen Queija Pundit. Is it cheaper to leave fluorescent lights on all the time? Inocencia Poenaru Pundit. Is it safe to leave fluorescent lights on all the time? Turning off fluorescent lights saves more energy than leaving them on all of the time. In fact, the Electric Power Research Institute debunked the notion with a study that revealed it only makes sense to leave the lights on if someone is only leaving the room for three to five minutes.
Betina Gasselblat Pundit. Should you turn off fluorescent lights to save energy? The amount of electricity consumed to supply the inrush current is equal to a few seconds or less of normal light operation.
Turning off fluorescent lights for more than 5 seconds will save more energy than will be consumed in turning them back on again. Avilio Bohorquez Teacher. Why fluorescent bulbs burn out quickly? The bulb socket itself can also have worn or corrode contacts that cause connection problems.
In this case, replace the socket or the fixture. Habitually loose connections, either at the socket or with the wire connections, can burn out the bulb quickly , as well as cause flickering. Tasnim Liatos Teacher. When should you turn your lights off? Incandescent lights should be turned off whenever they are not needed, because they are the least efficient type of lighting.
Turning lights off will also keep a room cooler, an extra benefit in the summer. Stepanie Bina Supporter. Is it the ballast or the bulb? But there is a good chance your ballast could be the cause of your lighting woes if your lights are dim, buzzing, changing colors, or flickering rapidly.
You should check all parts of the fixture, including the bulbs. If the bulbs fail to light up, then 9 out of 10 times the ballast is culprit. Xiaowu Albertz Beginner. Why won't my fluorescent light come on? A dead fluorescent can be caused by lack of electrical power tripped breaker or blown fuse , a dead or dying ballast, a dead starter or a dead bulb s. Check for power first then the starter if applicable and then the bulbs.
When all else fails, the ballast should be replaced. Lixiong Parache Beginner. How do you check a ballast? Turn off the fluorescent fixture's circuit breaker inside the breaker panel. Remove the fluorescent bulbs from the fixture. Remove the ballast cover from the fixture, if the ballast is not already exposed.
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