In 2010, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to phase out T12 lamps in favor of the newer and more energy-efficient T8 and T5 lamps. The DOE also offered incentives to people willing to make the switch. However, those incentives may expire soon.

This July, U.S. lighting manufacturers will stop production of many T12 lamps in order to comply with DOE regulations. The T12 lamps that are still produced will be much more expensive. Since T12 lamps will no longer be available, people will be forced to upgrade to T5 and T8 systems. That means the federal government won’t have to offer incentives to retrofit – people will have no other choice.

While upgrading your facility’s lighting may seem costly, the benefits far outweigh the initial costs. Replacing a T12 system with a T8 or T5 system provides energy and cost savings. For instance, by switching to T8 lamps, you can reduce energy use by 33% and save $12 per fixture per year. If you have 1,000 fixtures, that adds up to $12,000 a year in savings.

In addition, T8 and T5 lamps last longer than T12 lamps. Though a T12 lamp lasts for 28,800 hours, a T8 lamp can last for 36,000 hours and a T5 for 52,000. And, upgrading to a T8 or T5 system offers fast paybacks with payback periods of one to three years.

So, if you haven’t replaced your T12 system with a more energy-efficient system yet, do it now and take advantage of those government incentives while they’re still around. You’ll have to switch soon anyways, might as well get help doing it.

If you need help with the upgrade, we can connect you with an energy-efficient lighting professional who can recommend the most effective lighting system for your facility. Call our Service Hub at 714-386-5550 for help today!