Green Energy Solution

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Incandescent bulbs and old fluorescents waste a great deal of electricity compared to newer, more efficient lighting solutions. Fluorescent tubes are ubiquitous in many commercial buildings, coming in a few different varieties called T12, T10, T8 and T5. T12s are the older and less efficient variety, typically using 40 Watts for each bulb. T8 bulbs use about 35% less electricity to produce the same amount of light, and T5 bulbs use about 45% less than T12s. For some applications, one T5 can replace 2 T12 bulbs, providing even greater energy savings. Unfortunately though changing from T12s to T8s and T5s is not as simple as snapping a new bulb into place. Changing from T12s to T8s involves changing not just the bulb, but the ballast that the bulb plugs into. The ballast controls the flow of power through the bulb. Older bulbs like T12s used magnetic ballasts while newer more efficient T8s and T5s use electronic ballasts. In some cases changing to T5s requires replacing or rewiring the whole light fixture, adding significant cost and complexity to changing over to more efficient lighting.

 

Contact us to find out more information on retrofitting fixture from T12 to T8

 

 

Lighting controls are devices for turning lights on and off or for dimming them. The most useful controls for increasing lighting energy-efficiency in a home are dimmers, photocells, and occupancy sensors.

• Occupancy sensors activate lights when a person is in the area and then turn off the lights after the person has left. They are popular for areas such as closets and recreation rooms. Have you ever walked into a room that you know has been unoccupied and noticed the lights being on? The thought process behind an occupancy sensor is that when you are in the space that has the sensor the lights will stay on and when you leave the space the lights will turn off after a preset time.
• Photocells turn lights on and off in response to natural light levels. Photocells switch outdoor lights on at dusk and off at dawn, for example.

 

Contact us to find out more information on Lighting Controls.