The simple fact is that new technology is not as wasteful as old technology. Waste = loss of money. Let’s take an example from home use, something with which we are all familiar.
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To produce the same amount of light as a 100 W incandescent bulb (the old fashioned kind that we used in our homes for years). |
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a compact fluorescent light (CFL) consumes about 23 W of electricity. That’s about one-fifth the cost to you. |
Ballasts
Ballasts are used with fluorescent lighting. They control the flow of electricity to the bulb.
Old = magnetic
New = electronic.
You probably will know if your lighting uses magnetic ballasts because they have a noticeable flicker or an irritating humming sound. As well, they have to be replaced every two years according to the manufacturers.
Electronic ballasts last well-over twice as long as magnetic ones while also nearly eliminating the flicker and the annoying buzz. These ballasts simply operate 10 to 17% more efficiently. Electronic ballasts are directly interchangeable with magnetic ballasts.
T-lights
Compared with incandescent, fluorescent lights are relatively inexpensive, longer lasting and use less energy. That’s why fluorescents are the most commonly used lights in commercial spaces. The straight-tube types are T12, T8 or T5. The “T” simply refers to the classification of tube type according to the bulb width. T12 is the widest (and oldest) and T5 is the smallest (and newest).
In 2004, approximately 65% of Calgary’s commercial and institutional market was equipped with inefficient T12 fluorescent lamps with magnetic ballasts. Each of these buildings could reduce its power consumption from lighting by 50% or more by changing the ballasts and using T5 and T8 bulbs—simple retrofits that can pay for themselves in less than one year!
T12
T12’s have been around the longest having been invented in the 1930s. These were very popular because of their low cost and long life span. However, they use the less efficient magnetic ballasts and the bulb is a larger inefficient size.
T8
T8’s came onto the market in 1981 and have pretty much become the standard in new construction, but there are many existing buildings using T12 technology still. The life span matches that of the T12 but uses less energy. T8’s also use the more efficient electronic ballasts described above. The T8 comes in the same length as a T12 so if you replaced the ballast system, it would be a simple swap from T12 to the more efficient T8 bulb.
T5
This is the newest bulb in the T series fluorescent technology. Like the T8, it also uses an electronic ballast. T5’s may cost more than T8’s but they last longer too. They also produce the same amount of light while using less electricity.
Induction Lighting
Induction lighting is a technology that has never enjoyed significant mainstream adoption, even though it’s been available for decades. Over the past 5-10 years, induction has increased in popularity, perhaps in response to the increase in LED options and their ability to compete with the long lifespan of LEDs.
Like fluorescent lamps, induction lamps (or electrodeless lamps) are a low pressure source that excites mercury, producing ultraviolet radiation which is then translated into the visible light range by various phosphor coatings on the inside of the lamp. Induction differs from fluorescent in the way that the gas is excited. Fluorescent lamps use electrodes at each end, which provide the ultimate point of failure, whereas induction lamps have no direct electrical contact points, but rather use a magnetic field which induces the appropriate reaction.
All major lamp manufacturers sell induction lamps that are compatible with a variety of fixture styles.
LEDs
Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s) are solid state devices which have been used for decades as indicator lights in cars and electronics. In the past 10 years or so, LED manufacturers have created high output (or high brightness) white light using LEDs. With the advent of these white LEDs, a wide variety of LED products have flooded the market, sold often on the basis of longevity. Claims of “over 100,000 hours of lamp life” have now been scaled back considerably, typically into the 50,000 hour range.
Initially, product quality was typically poor and testing standards were non-existent, leading to disappointment when promised results were not achieved. These gaps are beginning to be filled through organizations such as the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in the United States. Reputable manufacturers are doing detailed testing and redesign of fixtures and LED sources in order to optimize performance, and are providing solid warranties to back up their claims.
LEDs can come in all sizes of the T-series tubes for easy replacement, but they operate without a ballast. The cost of LEDs is more reasonable in accent and pot lighting than other applications. LEDs are also very cost-effective in terms of reducing maintenance and safety concerns given their long life expectancy.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting
Just as the name suggests, High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting provides some fairly intense lighting, six times the amount of an incandescent at the equivalent electricity usage. The white light produced from these lights can mimic natural sunlight and can enhance visibility. These bulbs operate without a filament and instead use a metal vapour to disperse illumination. As with any bulbs that use metallic vapour, safety precautions should be used and our experienced lighting assessors can help you with that.
HID lighting is grouped into three categories of mercury vapour, metal halide, and high pressure sodium.
Mercury vapour lights are the least efficient of the category. Interestingly, these lights never die, they just grow dim BUT their electricity draw increases!
High pressure sodium lights are the most efficient and offer wattages between 35 and 1000.
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Metal Halide Lights
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