Today’s fluorescent lighting: better quality and efficiency

Dusting with a damp rag can improve the output of your fluorescent lights.

A common complaint about fluorescent lighting at work is that it can be bothersome or make people look green. However, times have changed since fluorescent lights were first introduced, and today’s fluorescents are much higher quality than when they first came out.

For example, T-8 fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts have been available for the past 10 years and they are better in many ways, providing quieter, more efficient, and better light quality. You can improve your lighting and save money by upgrading to T-8 lamps with electronic ballasts.

Quiet and Reliable
In the past, core and coil fluorescent ballasts produced a 60-cycle fluctuation that was noticeable as a “flicker” by some people. In addition, some older ballasts also made a humming sound. Today’s electronic ballasts use a much higher frequency and operate noiselessly. The result is a quiet work environment with a steady light output.

Electronic ballasts are a proven technology, used in all new buildings today. If you have 20-year old ballasts, you are already paying to replace the lighting system--one ballast at a time.

Better Color and Quality
The newer T-8 lamps have rare earth phosphors that improve the color of the light. Older T-12 lamps typically have a color rendering index (CRI) of 62, while most new T-8 lamps are 75 or better, a 20 percent improvement.

The CRI indicates how “true” colors look. A CRI of 100 represents perfect color; 85 or higher – excellent; and 70 or better – good. Reasonably priced lamps with a CRI of 85 make high quality fluorescent lighting quite affordable.

High Efficiency
The combination of T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts shaves more than one third of the lighting energy use, which means lower electric bills. In addition to better initial efficiency, T-8 lamps stay brighter over their life, so you can get by with fewer lamps.

Sales and Productivity
Quieter, more efficient light fixtures provide better light quality for your staff and customers. Many business owners experience greater sales and higher productivity when they upgrade their lighting. In fact, these benefits can be more important than reduced maintenance costs and lower electric bills.

EWEB Can Help
EWEB provides cash incentives for more efficient lights, and has low-interest loans for the rest of the cost. This means you can have better lighting installed today, and the savings on your electric bill usually pays the cost in 3 to 5 years.

Contact an EWEB energy representative at 484-1125 today to get started on lighting improvements for your business.

Lighting Maintenance Saves
There are several lighting maintenance tricks that can brighten your environment and help you save on labor and electricity.

Group Relamping. Rather than dragging the ladder out to change burned out fluorescent lamps one at a time, consider group relamping. Plan to change all the lamps on a regular interval (every 54 months if lights are on 12 hours per day, 7 days a week). The main advantages are reduced labor and more light.

Lamp/Fixture Cleaning. Annual cleaning will improve the light output of your lamps and fixtures. A quick dusting with a damp rag can remove a 10-20 percent dirt penalty on the light you paid for. When lamps are replaced, a quick fixture cleaning will keep the lights shining bright.

Lights Out. Lamps last longer when turned off. Energy savings is 100% when the switch is down. Turn off lights in conference rooms, storage areas, break rooms, equipment rooms, restrooms, and individual offices when not in use.