US Department of Energy (DOE) regulations began phasing out various sizes of commercial fluorescent light bulbs
Incandescent light bulb
An incandescent light bulb, incandescent lamp or incandescent light globe is an electric light with a wire filament heated to a high temperature, by passing an electric current through it, until it glows with visible light (incandescence). The hot filament is protected from oxidation with a glass or quart…
What happened to T8 fluorescent light bulbs?
On July 14th, 2014, all T8 700 series fluorescent lamps will fail to meet the new minimum energy ratings and will no longer be produced. The new ratings increased the minimum allowable values for lumen efficacy (lumens-per-watt), wattage, and minimum color rendering for each lamp.
When are fluorescent light bulbs being discontinued?
The company will stop manufacturing and selling the compact fluorescent bulbs by the end of the year.
When did they stop making T12 fluorescent tubes?
As a result, in 2009, the department announced the eventual phase out of the 1.5-inch-diameter fluorescent T12 tubes. The mandate said production of the tubes would have to cease after July 14, 2012.
Are T12 light bulbs still available?
In effect since July 2012, the legislation eliminates nearly all 4-foot T12 lamps, some 4-foot T8 lamps, most 8-foot T12 lamps, and almost all standard halogen PAR38, PAR30 and PAR20 lamps from the market. T12 technology is over 80 years old. Since that time, lamps and bulbs have been developed that just work better.
Are fluorescent light bulbs being phased out?
US Department of Energy (DOE) regulations began phasing out various sizes of commercial fluorescent light bulbs in 2012. About all you can get today is the fluorescent workhorse of commercial lighting—the T81 bulb. By January 26, 2018 even T8s will be banned to align with new DOE energy efficiency standards.
Can I replace T8 fluorescent with LED?
Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED-integrated fixtures. If you just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct-wire, or hybrid LED tubes.
Can I replace a T12 bulb with a T8?
T12 vs T8 Fluorescent Tubes T12 tubes are 1.5" in diameter while T8s are just one inch. All other things—socket sizes, lengths, distance between pins—are the same. T8 LED tubes won't fall out if you try to install them in a T12 fixture—they'll fit just fine.
What will replace fluorescent tubes?
Many LED tubes are "plug and play", meaning you can just install them like you would a fluorescent bulb. For this to be true, look for bulbs that are "ballast-compatible" meaning that they can use the ballast already installed in your fluorescent fixture to power the LEDs.
Can I put LED bulbs in a fluorescent fixture?
You have fluorescent tube lights in your home or business already, and you're wondering if you can pop LED tubes in these fixtures or if you'll need to change out the fixtures for something designed for LED. Good news! You can use LED tubes in your existing fixtures!
Will LED bulbs work if ballast is bad?
Can LED lamps work off of existing ballasts? Yes, if they have an internal driver than can work off that ballast. Philips, for example, has designed a tube that is compatible with an existing electronic ballast.
Are T12 bulbs being discontinued?
As a result, in 2009, the department announced the eventual phase out of the 1.5-inch-diameter fluorescent T12 tubes. The mandate said production of the tubes would have to cease after July 14, 2012. Big-name manufacturers like Philips and Sylvania were granted two-year extensions on the deadline.
Can I use a T12 LED tube in a T8 fluorescent fixture?
In terms of physical compatibility, both T8 and T12 lamps use the same G13 bi-pin base, so as long as they are the same length (e.g. 4-ft), a T8 lamp will physically fit inside a T12 fixture.
How do I upgrade my T12 to T8?
0:006:55Convert T12 Florescent shop lights to T8 Ballast and Bulbs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just touch the two little pins on the end of the light bulbs that's all you need just need to beMoreAnd just touch the two little pins on the end of the light bulbs that's all you need just need to be wired.
How do I convert old fluorescent tubes to LED?
3:3810:42How to easily convert fluorescent Lights to LED – UPDATED! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe pop in the led light tube. And we see that it works now here we have an led fixture this isMoreWe pop in the led light tube. And we see that it works now here we have an led fixture this is actually the fixture from the first. Video. It's been converted. And it uses a single ended connection.
How do I change an 8 foot fluorescent bulb to a LED?
0:352:20Convert 8ft Fluorescent Fixtures to LED - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStudents connect your newly stripped wires with a wire nut strip the wires from the oppositeMoreStudents connect your newly stripped wires with a wire nut strip the wires from the opposite tombstone. Strip the remaining power wire connect with a wire nut. Replace the ballast. Cover.
Are LED tube lights brighter than fluorescent?
The LED tube lights are noticeably brighter than fluorescent tubes and you don't get exposed to any kind of harmful rays such as UV/IV rays as well that can damage your eyes and can result in skin allergies as well.
What does T8 mean in math?
1 T8: The T stands for Tubular or Tube. The 8 indicates the tube diameter is 8 one-eighth-inch increments, which stated in math terms is 8/8, or just another way of saying one. Therefore, the diameter of the tube is one inch.
Can you change to LED bulbs?
In most cases, changing to LED bulbs can be as easy as “changing a light bulb.”. If you have fluorescent 4’ tubes with electronic ballasts, we have a 4’ LED tube that is so easy to install—simply remove the old fluorescent bulb and install the new LED bulb!
Do fluorescent bulbs degrade?
It’s interesting to note that the moment fluorescent bulbs are installed, they begin their degradation process. In other words, over the life of the bulb, the quality of light is constantly gradually lessening. You’ll often notice that near the bulb’s end of life, fluorescents are much dimmer than when they were new.
What is a T8 lamp?
T8s are the easy fix here. It’s a simple ballast and lamp change. Newer, lower-wattage energy-saver T8 lamps have made their way to the market over the last several years in an effort for traditional manufacturers to compete with highly energy-efficient products. This is your bare-bones update requiring little effort and not a lot of money.
When did the sylvania tube stop being made?
The mandate said production of the tubes would have to cease after July 14, 2012. Big-name manufacturers like Philips and Sylvania were granted two-year extensions on the deadline. But as soon as the phase out was announced, production began to decline.
What is the best way to replace a T12?
The easiest and lowest price option to replace a T12 is a T8 linear fluorescent. They have become the go-to option for pre-existing T12s. If you still have magnetic ballasts, switching to a T8 will require a ballast swap. Another option is to move forward with an LED retrofit.
Is T12 still manufactured?
High-output and high-CRI T12s are still manufactured today, but production is down. Second, magnetic ballasts – which conventional T12s require to run – are no longer manufactured in the U.S. Read: What to do if your T12 magnetic ballast goes bad.
Why Is The Department of Energy Regulating T12 Lamps?
- DOE is regulating T12 lamps and some T8 lamps, incandescent lamps, and other inefficient technologies as a method of moving energy consumers to be more efficient. The new standards for linear fluorescent lamps is based on efficacy, or ensuring that newer lighting technology offe…
Legislative Acts Affecting Lighting Users*
- A time line from GE Lighting shows how these changes have been in the works for the past several years. 2005 ENERGY POLICY ACT Established minimum efficiency requirements, incentives and research dollars for lamps, ballasts, fixtures and LEDs. 2007 ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT Established minimum efficiency requirements for halogen …
Lamp Comparison Chart, Quick Facts!
- With this chart and some simple math you can easily recognize the difference between T12, T8 and T5 lamps if you are not sure how to tell which is which. This chart shows the difference in diameter between sizes. The “12,” “8,” and “5” actually refer to how many eighths of an inch the diameter of the lamp measures. For Example: 12*(1/8) =1.5, the diameter of a T12 lamp.