Replacing T12 linear fluorescent tubes and magnetic ballasts with T8 fluorescent tubes and electronic ballasts is the most cost efficient solution to lowering energy costs of your facility. T8 upgrades in cases of quilified small business are fully covered by incentive offered OPA and in cases of larger businesses are eligible for incentives based on the amount of energy they conserve after installation.

T8 advantages:

• ENERGY SAVINGS - You can save up to 35% of energy cost by replacing standard T12 lighting systems.
• QUIET - T8s operate more quietly than T12s, eliminating the "hum" often associated with fluorescent lighting systems.
• COOLING LOAD REDUCTIONS - Electronic ballasts consume fewer watts than magnetic ballasts. Lighting systems generate less heat, which reduces cooling loads.
• REDUCED LAMP FLICKER - Electronic ballasts drive fluorescent lamps at 20 kilohertz (kHz), a frequency well beyond the visible range of flicker to the human eye. Thus significantly reducing eye strain.
• IMPROVED LIGHT - T8 lamps have a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI) than common T12 lamps. The CRI measures the ability of a light source to reproduce the colors of various objects being lit by the source.
• LOWER MAINTENANCE COSTS - Longer equipment life reduces both your maintenance and disposal costs. T8 lamps are rated from 18,000 to 30,000 hours - equivalent to 5 - 6 years in a typical office application - when matched with the correct ballast.
• ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS - Interior lighting represents approximately 29% of the energy consumed in the commercial building each year. Lowering this percentage has the potential to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants generated during electricity production.