Farewell T12
On July 14, 2012, DOE regulations covering general-service fluorescent lamps go into effect, expanding on previous regulations and covering T12, T8 and T5 lamps. The result is most 4-ft. linear and 2-ft. U-shaped T12, many 8-ft. T12 and T12HO and some low-color-rendering T8 lamps will be removed from the market.
Currently, about 30% of the fluorescent lamp market is T12 sales servicing primarily replacement needs in existing buildings. As distributors deplete their inventories of non-compliant fluorescent T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts, T12 system owners should consider upgrading.
Options include:
- Replace lamps with compliant T12 lamps (premium lamps that use rare earth phosphors) and the ballasts with compliant T12 electronic ballasts. This option produces less energy savings but provides the ability to the owner to handle the transition through ongoing maintenance.
- Replace lamps and ballasts with T8 lamps and ballasts, or T5 lamps and ballasts with optical retrofit kits. This option enables the owner to maximize energy savings and benefit from utility rebates and the Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction (if applicable).
- Replace the luminaires with new improved-quality lighting such as the RT5 and RTLED from Lithonia Lighting, which provides volumetric distribution in office and similar spaces. A redesign of the lighting system enables the building owner to comprehensively address lighting quality as well as energy efficiency.
Regardless of which of the above options are undertaken, the building owner should include lighting controls to generate significant additional energy cost savings and realize the true value of the lighting upgrade. While upgrading luminaires, consider the range of advanced lighting control solutions suitable for existing buildings—occupancy sensors such as Sensor Switch, low-voltage relay panels such as the LC&D GR2400™ control system, line-voltage dimming ballasts and controls, and wireless controls such as LC&D photosensors and switches. Many older lighting systems, however, would benefit from a comprehensive redesign, which would dramatically expand control options to extend energy savings as well as flexibility.
Click here to see the 2012 Summary: Standards for general service Fluorescent Lamps (GSFL)
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This news release produced in partnership with Acuity Brands.