Lighting News & Product Information

2x4 fluorescent light retrofit kits saves money in many ways.

2012-02-09T11:52:00.001-04:00

When most people think about changing their lighting to something more efficient, they often think about changing the whole light fixture. And of course, there are times when that's the thing to do, especially when you have a system that's really older or outdated. But there are times when you may have a lighting system that's only 10 years old and you would like to do some energy-efficient upgrades. One of the best things you can do is use a fluorescent lighting retrofit kit which essentially changes out all the inside of the fixture housing. This is often the easy solution, one that's less expensive as well. Not only will it save energy, but it will also save on installation which can be quite expensive if you have to re-fixture everything. The most common type of light fixture for offices are 2x4 fluorescents that you see nearly everywhere. There may be several different types, but the one with the acrylic lens is by far the largest variety. The retrofit kits fit inside the fixture with a new reflector, a new socket bar for lamp relocation, sockets and an electronic ballast. In almost every case, it's about using less lamps with better materials to create adequate light levels while reducing electrical consumption. There are good paybacks on this type of retrofit, usually two years or less. There are also utility rebates in many areas that will help pay for the initial investment. You'll find that most electricians can do several fixtures an hour making it cost-effective on all fronts. You will be saving energy for many years to come and using less lamps in the future. The cost savings are beneficial all-around, but you won't have to sacrifice adequate light levels. This is the kind of easy energy project that works in so many places and will improve your bottom line if you're a commercial business.

An idea for retail or commercial lighting that saves energy.

2012-02-08T11:35:00.000-04:00

If you need to save energy but also want a light that will be more pleasing to the eye, then this acrylic high bay light could be a good idea. It has a 16" inch acrylic lens which breaks up the light source, but will also create a portion of uplight as well. This will reduce the cave effect that you will often see along ceilings where the light is only going down into the space. That's not always bad because there are certain type of ceilings you would rather not see! But most people like to have a small component of lighting to illuminate eye-level and above. This creates a perceived brighter area and is desirable in places like retail stores or smaller industrial spaces. What makes this light work well for almost any application is the high CFL wattage that you get with it, a choice of 150 or 200 watts. Even though it's a higher watt bulb, it's not offensive due to the diffuse nature of the fluorescent used. The color correct light gives off an even glow for the area making it an easy light to work or read under. It comes with a 120 volt plug which makes it possible to minimize installation costs and give you the flexibility to move them any place you want. It's a complete energy saving idea giving average people access to a really great light at a reasonable investment.

Wake up more naturally with this special light.

2012-02-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

Lots of people have trouble sleeping and getting up in the morning, it's a common problem that seems to have no easy solution. It's so common that there are many new businesses coming out with products just to help people sleep better. One of those new products is a Rise & Shine Natural Wake-up light fixture. You can program it to not only give you an alarm in the form of natural sounds, but also gradually raise the light level as you begin to wake up. So instead of a shocking bright light, it eases you into the morning routine with natural sound or FM radio and a natural light that is similar to outside daylight. If you're one of those people with sleep issues, you know that just one thing won't solve all your problems, but a number of different methods may help to make your sleep experience better. Adding a way to help you sleep cycle regulate could be something that could be a part of a broader strategy. This is small enough to put on the nightstand and you can even use it to go to sleep at night too. The choice is yours. Any time that you can help your natural body rhythms in a sleep and waking cycle, it might just make a big difference. This is a reasonably priced light that has everything you need to make it work right out of the box. It's a simple set up and will give you many years of comforting service.

LED parking lot light fixture with an architectural design.

2011-11-28T21:22:00.000-04:00

It's always nice when a product comes along that not only delivers the light you need, but keeps a sense of architectural style. This new LED parking lot light fixture does just that with a design that resembles a higher end light for office buildings and retail outdoor lighting. The good news is that it doesn't have the price tag associated with what people would consider as an architectural grade product. At only 78 watts, it will replace up to a 250 watt metal halide light, saving energy as well. This effectively reduces energy consumption by 70% and may even qualify for some utility rebates. It comes with a powder coat bronze finish and is UL listed for wet location. The heat sink not only helps to maintain long life (50,000 hours), but adds that special design element that will be useful in many types of lighting applications. It's a great choice for replacing higher wattage HID light fixtures the next type you need to do an upgrade of your parking, garage and street lighting.

EISA compliant light bulbs give you real choices.

2011-11-10T11:32:00.002-04:00

We get quite a number of calls regarding new energy legislation that's going to take effect in the year 2012. Although there are some changes, there are also some good alternatives which will maintain your lighted environment while saving energy. No one wants to think about giving up something they like, and for a lot of people that's a regular incandescent light bulb. But even with these changes, there are several sources of light including halogen, LED and compact fluorescent that should give you the light you need for home or business. If you're curious as to which light bulbs are going to be eliminated, you can see them here with the alternate energy-saving versions. Not all incandescent light bulbs are being eliminated. There are many that are exempted from this legislation for special applications of all types. For example, if you have something like heat lamps, you don't have to worry that those are being eliminated. It includes many types of incandescent light bulbs that people use for any variety of needs. So as the old incandescent light bulb is being phased out, you don't have to worry that you won't be able to get the light you want. It simply means that you'll have to use something that's more energy-efficient and these days that means that there will be no sacrifice in light. Remember that as lighting technology expands there are going to be more alternate choices for good lighting. Along with all that, the energy savings will be great and will create our energy independence long into the future.

Lumiline replacement light bulb options revisited.

2011-08-22T16:58:00.004-04:00

It's been a problem that many people who have old lumiline light bulbs are facing, no replacement light bulb possibility. Although there is no direct replacement that fits into existing lumiline light fixtures, there is now a new product that could be a solution for some of you. If you have these old light bulbs buried in some form of furniture, or if there is a significant remodel to install a new light, then the portable LED utility light fixture might be an economical solution or stop-gap measure to replace them now. This unit is a rechargeable battery powered LED light that can be placed almost anywhere and only requires a periodic recharge depending on use. I won't say that it will replace all lumiline light bulbs, but it might be a way to get the job done without an expensive remodel. The only downside to this is that it needs to be recharged, meaning you would have to plug it in to the provided charger. The positives are that it's very light and could be installed in a temporary fashion, able to easily take it out for charging or other uses. The applications are nearly endless, a camp light, trouble light, emergency light, closet lighting and much more. Of course, if you need a more permanent lighting solution for lumiline replacement, you should consider Linestra light fixtures, LED strip lighting or low profile fluorescent light fixtures which will do an excellent job giving you the light you need.

The USA-made trend in LED light fixtures.

2011-08-16T10:18:00.002-04:00

I think a lot of people look at new technologies such as LED light fixtures as something that comes from overseas all the time. And it is true that some of the early developments did come from China and Europe, but that's not always the case. There's been a lot of development of LED lighting technology right here in the United States and that trend seems to be increasing. There are more and more choices coming out with products that are developed and manufactured here in the US. That's good for many of us living here because we can support those companies that are making an energy-efficient future more reliable. It's not that you can't get good products from other countries, far from it. It's just that it's nice to have products that are developed here and technology that is advancing on our own soil. Although it's been slow to get started, every day seems to have a US-made components coming onto the market at a faster pace. In some cases with LED light fixtures, it's often the LED array itself, which is the most important aspect of any light fixture that's made. In a day when many people think that USA made products are a thing of the past, they should think again. The marketplace for energy-efficient lighting is so lucrative that there is no way US companies are going to let that go by without a fight. They're going to grab for their market share and create what I believe are some of the best products out on the market today. So expect more and more USA-made LED light fixtures in the future, just one of the small ways that we're all going to achieve energy independence.

Your incandescent light bulb getting phased out? Here's some good alternatives and exceptions.

2011-08-14T22:02:00.010-04:00

I get a lot of people are asking me about incandescent light bulbs being phased out next year or being outright banned. They're not being completely banned, but efficiency standards are affecting certain types of incandescent light bulbs, in fact, some will no longer be available. But this doesn't mean you won't be able to get the proper lighting you need. Here's a guide for light bulbs that are being phased out with the alternative that will give you the same light, only for less watts. It's easy to see that you will be able to buy light bulbs that meet the new energy standards set into law by Congress. All this being said, I've talked to some people who think ALL incandescent light bulbs are being phased out, that is NOT true. There are many special types of lights that are exceptions to the efficiency laws. The exceptions include the following listed light bulbs:

appliance
black light
bug
colored
infrared
left-hand thread
marine
marine signal service
mine service
plant light
reflector
rough service
shatter-resistant
sign service
silver bowl
showcase
3-way incandescent
traffic signal
vibration service
G-shape with a diameter of 5 inches or more
T-shape of 40 watts or less and a length of more than 10 inches
B, BA, CA, F, G16-1/2, G25, G30, S or M14 lamp of 40 watts or less.
BR30, BR40 and ER40 rated at 65 watts (the popular 65BR30 and 65BR40 are exempt)
ER30, BR30, BR40 and ER40 rated at 50 watts or less.
R20 rated at 45 watts or less.

So you can be sure to get the lighting you need far into the future with plenty of choices. It's good for our country to phase out some incandescent sources because they are so very inefficient. If we all used more energy efficient light bulbs like the alternates mentioned here, we would once again reduce our need for foreign sources of energy. Drop me an e-mail if you have any other questions about the coming new laws and what you can use in your lighting situation.

LED Linestra / Philinea type replacements are now a complete offering for energy savings.

2011-08-10T11:55:00.000-04:00

It's been a long time developing LED products that truly meeting needs with lower energy consumption and longer life. Many manufacturers are getting the right idea when trying to replace certain applications. A great example of this transition from old incandescent sources straight to LED are the new line of LED Linestra / Philinea type replacement bulbs. These are a linear source of light replace much high wattages such as 150, 60 or 35 watts, but now using only 4 watts, 6 watts or 11 watts. One of the nicest features of these lamps are the way they look nearly identical to standard incandescent versions they replace. Because they have a rated life of 25,000 hours, you would replace these once for every 25 times you replace the older incandescent version. The electrical savings are substantial along with replacement cost savings making it possible to save hundreds of dollars over the life of the lamp. It delivers one of the fastest paybacks of any LED replacement light bulb on the market today while keeping the soft light you've grown to love. All you have to do is replace the light bulb and nothing else. If you can handle the initial investment, which is a higher, it's a good way to go for energy savings and not having to hassle with replacements in the future.

LED PAR16 flood light bulbs to replace hotter halogens.

2011-07-06T16:51:00.001-04:00

One of the things that bother people who own small light fixtures is that they have to use higher wattage floods to get the proper lighting effect. Along with more light, it also brings along more heat, which is often a problem. Not only is excessive heat bad for a light fixture, it also reduces the life of light bulbs if that heat can't be dissipated properly. PAR16 flood lights have been one of those types of light bulbs that generates a lot of heat in a very small space. Because this type of light is often mounted low in a retail situation, that heat can be a factor in customer shopping comfort. This problem can be reduced with new LED PAR16 flood light bulbs that have almost no heat and offer an extremely long life. This particular product has a beam of light that can possibly replace those higher wattage halogens while still providing a good lighting effect. But where it really shines is in lower electric bills and heat reduction. It's a good solution for people that are looking for a cooler, more efficient alternative to small halogen floods.

Android light bulbs will offer more control for home lighting.

2011-05-11T09:15:00.004-04:00

Android light bulbs are one of the first products of a whole series of home appliances that will make having a smart home a reality for nearly everyone. They will be controlled by your Android smartphone with many options for greater energy efficiency as well as better quality lighting for almost any way you use it. It's a part of Google's strategy to get into the home market with something many people already have, a smartphone. For users, this will save electrical costs by replacing higher wattage incandescents with this LED unit. But beyond that efficiency, the real power and potential savings is dwarfed by the intelligence it brings to something as traditionally "dumb" as a light bulb. Imagine being able to set a mood in a room by a simple adjustment on your Android device, or turn lights on and off as specific times when you're not home. Although this wireless technology has been available to home automation specialists for years, this makes possible a high level of control for the rest of us who don't have thousands of dollars to invest in an elaborate home control system. It opens up a world of possibilities to control our home with a level of sophistication that will make every home very energy efficient. According to another report, look for dishwashers, thermostats and other types of appliances to have this type of control. A smart home is coming to you in the near future and it happens to be the one you're living in right now.

LED Linestra / Philinea type light bulbs save energy and reduce replacement costs.

2011-04-07T15:59:00.005-04:00

One of the problems with long incandescent light bulbs like the 150 watt Linestra or Philinea types is that they have a low lifespan and they waste energy. A new solution has come along which will help in both these areas of lighting waste, that's the new LED Linestra / Philinea type light bulbs. For the first time there's a true replacement for these older style of incandescent lights, now using only 11 watts. Although the wattage is low, the performance is high, truly replacing a 150 watt Linestra or Philinea lamp. The quality and quantity of light is so good that in a side by side comparison, experts could not tell the difference between the old lamps and the new LED version. So the quality of light has been maintained while saving users the cost of years of replacement as well as energy savings. Imagine not having to change these LED light bulbs for possibly 15 years with reduced electric bills! The savings on replacement bulbs could save individuals $300 - $400 or more over the life of the lamp. It comes in the same package as standard incandescent Linestra or Philinea lamps with the double prong base. The LED version fits into any light fixture that currently uses this type of light bulb. It's a simple replacement situation or you can order them with new light fixtures making your new system virtually maintenance-free for many years to come. At this time, these are not dimmable capable, so you would need to use them with standard on/off switching. This is an exciting product that fixes a lot of issues that many people had with the old linear incandescent lamps in the past.

LED track light fixture works with most existing track runs.

2011-02-19T18:00:00.001-04:00

Here's a new way to get LED energy savings into existing track runs that you may have in your home or retail store. It's a universal LED track light fixture head that will fit into single or dual circuit track. Not only will it fit where you need it, but the light output is excellent using only 10 watts. This will replace higher wattage halogen MR16 track heads saving energy and higher replacement costs. There are three different beam spreads, flood, wide flood, and spot which will work for any situation regardless of ceiling height. We've had people call once in a while about the heat thrown off by standard halogen MR16's, wanting to reduce that heat. This would be the ultimate way to eliminate that heat without sacrificing the light you need for the area you're trying to light.

Induction wall pack light fixtures provide longer life and less maintenance.

2011-01-22T14:48:00.001-04:00

Induction wall pack light fixtures are now available and offer an alternative to HID lighting. Although the technology has been around for many years, there have been few choices in light fixtures that would utilize them. Building owners and managers will find that induction lighting not only gives adequate illumination, but it outlasts nearly every other light source in average rated life. The typical rated life is anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 hours. This means that less maintenance will need to be performed, saving money and time. This induction wall pack has diecast construction with an unbreakable lens so it can stand up to everyday outdoor conditions. It's a better answer for any building owner that wants to save money and reduce maintenance costs.

LED desk lamps for the cool look of high tech.

2010-11-19T12:55:00.002-04:00

LED desk lamp for a modern look.

When one thinks about desk lamps that have been used for years on everyone's desktop, we think of a traditional look, maybe even something like a banker's light. And although they have a classic look, one that we often see with its green shielded glass, there are other alternatives with LED that upgrade that classic look to one of something more high-tech. Not only is LED lighting good for energy efficiency, but it also gives off a crisp white light which will work for almost any office application. This particular LED desk lamp consumes only 6 watts and will replace a 40 watt incandescent light bulb. It also has an unobtrusive form which will give more space to your desk area. Another benefit of this light is that it has a choice of either freestanding or clamp-on mounting, once again giving you more space on your desk. The LED's themselves should last for close to 20 years based on an average use every day, about five hours. The price has become reasonable as well making it a good replacement for more inefficient light sources.

LED flood light fixture is a real alternative to other types of light sources.

2010-11-15T22:59:00.002-04:00

The LED light fixture market continues to evolve and with it, some great products are making a true change. In the past, it wasn't possible to replace an HID flood light source with a lower wattage LED. That is beginning to change as we see products like this LED flood light fixture that uses only 56 watts, but can replace up to a 100 watt metal halide or high pressure sodium light source. And it's not just about energy savings, it's also creating a quality of light that doesn't compromise the lighting project. I think that's the way it was until recently, you had to sacrifice light to get longevity or energy efficiency. With this innovative new light, you can have adequate security, energy savings, extreme long life and almost no maintenance. Because the LED arrays are so bright and small, the light can be more easily controlled to provide the correct light spread into an area. This 56 watt LED flood light fixture is also UL listed for wet location so it can be used for building facade as well as general security lighting. There's also a color choice in the light between a neutral 4100K color and a 5600K color which is more like natural daylight. The white light is almost always a favorable choice over the yellow color lights that use primarily high pressure sodium lamps. Along with these nice features, the price has come down into a range that has made it economically possible to show a payback over standard HID flood lights. Building owners and managers will love the low maintenance, or should I say no maintenance? Once you have it installed, you can forget about it for years to come, giving people time to work on more pressing building issues other than changing light bulbs or ballasts.

LED ceiling mount light fixture is perfect for low clearance lighting situations.

2010-09-18T21:17:00.003-04:00

It's been some time since new types of LED products have been hitting the market, but you don't often seen one this good or at this price point. The new LED ceiling mount light fixture meets the need for high light output while retaining one of the thinnest profiles. It's one of the promises of LED that almost everyone has been waiting for, small package and higher illumination. At only 3.75 inches in height, it can fit almost anywhere a low ceiling would put a limit on what kind of light fixture to use. Clearance is often an issue, but it might just be the trim good looks that make it perfect for many types of lighting applications. It operates on a 120 through 277 volt line, so it will be versatile regardless of the voltage you may have feeding it. It's high output LED's will replace a 50 watt HID light fixture saving energy and creating a zero maintenance system for some time to come. It's rated for 50,000 hours and should provide many years of reliable service. It also has instant-on brightness, so unlike compact fluorescent, it doesn't need to warm up to get full light output. Depending on your interior colors, it comes in dark bronze or white color which means that it could work well in security lighting for a large building, but also be an excellent choice for residential lighting needs.

Shallow depth parabolic light fixture perfect for limited space.

2010-08-22T21:04:00.002-04:00

In some commercial buildings, space is limited and that's great when it comes to tenant occupation. But some buildings have other types of space issues, like a low ceiling or plenum that makes it hard to fit standard light fixtures. That's where a shallow depth housing in a light fixture is the only solution. It happens more often than one would think, especially when so much space is now being used above the ceiling for all kinds of wiring and HVAC. For building owners that still want to have good light control while having a shallow light housing, then this shallow parabolic fixture would be a good solution. It's made from the same high quality materials and will shield eyes from glare, but does it in a 3.7 inch depth. It's sometimes the only real solution, but you can get it in both 2x4 and 2x2 sizes with lamping to match. Even if you only have a couple of places where you need a light fixture like this, it will maintain the look of an entire space matching up with existing deeper parabolic lights.

LED street light fixture is real replacement for 400 watt sodium lights.

2010-07-11T21:28:00.005-04:00

In the quest for more energy savings than ever before, manufacturers are coming up with some good ideas for practical applications. Street lighting is one of those areas where energy efficiency can make a big difference to a city or town, not to mention the cost of regular maintenance. One of our newest products used in those applications would be the LED street light fixture. It's a fixture with an adjustable array of LED lights that will replace up to a 400 watt high pressure sodium or metal halide light while only drawing 150 watts or power. This is a significant savings while maintaining existing light levels. The adjustable head gives a variable light spread depending on whether it's being used on a boulevard or something like a parking lot area with high poles. It has a clean looking aluminum powder coat finish, so it will add a touch of class besides just energy savings. The LED array has a 5000K color temperature which is similar to noontime daylight, often a preferred color of white light. Along with these features, there is no lumen depreciation over time, that means it will maintain it's light output of many years of service. Because it's an LED light source, it's not harmed by shock and vibration, one of the reasons for higher maintenance in HID sources of light. There are also savings beyond energy, maintenance will be far easier as the extra long life will make it something you basically install, then forget it, other than regular cleaning of outside dirt and dust. It's true alternative to HID street lighting and parking lot lights, now in an easy to install light fixture replacement.

LED recessed lighting retrofit has a finished look for saving energy.

2010-06-19T19:10:00.003-04:00

One of the biggest problems in LED light bulbs or light fixtures today is the lack of a truly finished presentation. Often, LED products are a modification of a previous designed light fixture which was made for a completely different light source. Sometimes modifications work and you can incorporate various light sources into a similar unit, but not always. With LED lights, there needs to be room for more than just the LED's, the driver and cooling fins need to be a part of that design. This is especially problematic for a lighting retrofit product, which are notorious for not looking quite right after install. That's why it's nice to see LED light fixtures that make a finished statement, one that looks original, not something that has been pieced together. This LED recessed lighting retrofit is one of those great ideas that looks so good in a ceiling, it doesn't draw any attention, because it looks like a standard downlight. In this particular case, it's an easy screw-in retrofit with everything you need. This would be good for many places such as building entries, home kitchens or anyplace where you currently have recessed lighting. It's a suitable replacement for incandescent and fluorescent recessed fixtures of all types, making it an energy saving replacement at a reasonable price. At only 10 watts of LED, this could be one of the last recessed lights you'll ever need to install in a home. Imagine never have to change recessed light bulbs again. Of course, this unit does have a life, but it's so long that a typical home user might get a couple of decades of service. If you're considering going to LED, but don't want all the hassle of new construction fixtures, then this could be the easy solution, without the cost of an electrician. This should put you ahead almost from the start, with the only thing left to do which is save lots of energy.

Decorative emergency lighting delivers safety and style.

2010-06-13T17:36:00.003-04:00

It used to be that when you installed emergency lighting, you had to use something unattractive, very functional, to accomplish the lighting task. Most people are familiar with the 2 head emergency light, and sometime the look of it detracts from other design elements in the space. Now you can get a decorative emergency light which delivers the light you need for egress safety, with a style that will work in many situations. It's a lighting product that makes sense for modern office buildings where the total feel of a space needs to be pleasing right down to this important element. This particular oval-shaped unit houses two 6 watt xenon lamps which deliver adequate illumination for the required time of 90 minutes. It's a diecast form with an unbreakable polycarbonate lens and an internal reflector that creates the most light output possible. It's also listed for wet location, so you can even use this in outdoor situations getting direct exposure to precipitation. It's a great solution for building owners and managers that need a better look for emergency lighting.

Shatterproof light bulbs eliminate glass breakage in critical areas.

2010-05-30T16:19:00.006-04:00

If you're a company or individual that needs to keep an area clean and can't risk contamination, then shatterproof light bulbs should be a part of your total strategy. It sounds like something trivial, but broken glass from light bulbs can create a cleanup nightmare that no one wants. For food preparation, it's a must like many other kinds of precautions. These bulbs have a coating that keep the glass inside, never to get outside, where you don't want it. Of course, this could also be critical for industrial areas where machines need to be running constantly. Imagine having a broken light which throws glass everywhere stopping a production run or getting into a product. It can be costly to have that happen, so shatterproof light bulbs are one of the cheapest forms of reasonable prevention. The food industry has been using this type of bulb for decades and it has saved the day one more occasions than anyone can count. There are many different forms of this type of light including the standard incandescent, fluorescent, compact fluorescent and even metal halide. These can be used anywhere you use the non-shatterproof version of the light bulbs you have, making it nothing more than a simple change of light. There's nothing electrically different. The coating typically has a rubbery, thick feel over the entire area of the bulb, making it easy to identify if you're not sure about what you have now. All major manufacturers make shatterproof light bulbs, so it's something that is sure to be around for many decades to come. Consider these if there are any areas where accidental glass breakage cannot be tolerated in your operation or even in your home.

Replacing lumiline light bulbs with LED strip lights.

2010-05-21T20:47:00.006-04:00

If you're one of those people who have lumiline light bulbs, now would be the right time to look for alternatives to light that specialized area. Because lumiline bulbs are going obsolete, they've become either wildly expensive or just impossible to get. There are several types of light fixtures that would be a good choice to replace them. One of the most exciting is the LED strip light fixture which has a low profile and low energy consumption. It's effective for places where the lamps were hidden out of sight. It's not a direct retrofit, so you will have to get these wired in correctly, but these can be a permanent option providing indirect light of light that's shielded. It might look odd to have these in an exposed area, that may require a different kind of light fixture. But for a lot of lumiline applications, this could be the final solution for creating a pleasing, energy saving and long lasting light. These LED strip lights come with the driver which can power several of these individual strips. In a home situation, it might never need to be replaced as it will provide many, many years of service. The investment will actually save you money and get you the lighting for those areas that used the old lumiline lamps.

Saving energy by a simple flood light bulb replacement.

2010-05-12T15:17:00.006-04:00

It's been a while since some types of light bulbs have been forced off the market due to new energy legislation. For some people, that isn't something they want to hear, thinking that they will have to buy lighting that is much more expensive and won't meet their needs. It's a problem of how a certain light looks, once you get used to a lighting scheme, it's hard to surrender that feel in a room. This is particularly difficult for folks that have recessed lighting in a home, but even in a commercial building for that matter. Most believe that you must retrofit an old incandescent flood light over to a compact fluorescent, which can be a stark or cold light for some. In order to avoid that, you should consider using halogen flood light bulbs that are a natural replacement for those older types of bulbs. They give off the same warm color appearance, while saving some energy and creating a better quality of light than before. It's a good choice, but even some people see them as harsh to the eye. In that case, it's best to get a frosted halogen which will have nearly the same look and light spread as the old BR40 lamps. It's one way to get a light that is pleasing while some lights are getting harder to find. It's an inexpensive replacement, probably costing the same as an old incandescent. For nearly every size, there is a suitable halogen flood light bulb replacement for lower or higher ceilings and providing the pleasing incandescent color light that you're used to. Another option if you're really married to the lighter glass flood, is a halogen BR40 version with that same light glass shell. It will bring the same appeal as before, except for the light being slightly whiter. In any case, you don't have to go compact fluorescent if you don't want to, there are lots of other choices available for many years to come.

F96 single lamp T8 retrofit helps to consolidate lighting types and save energy.

2010-04-02T16:31:00.008-04:00

As much as energy savings is important in today's economy, there are other factors that can reduce a commercial maintenance budget. Programs like group relamping and retrofitting make an operation more streamlined when it comes to lighting. A nice new product that helps reduce the number of lamp types you may have in a building is the F96 single lamp T8 retrofit. It's a bracket and ballast combination that allow you to change any 1 lamp 8 foot T12 strip fixture to a 2 lamp - 4 foot T8 linear fixture end to end. There are so many installations where there are old 8 foot lamps that could easily be changed. Not only will it save energy, but it will reduce the number of lamp types in your building. Why have different lamps in a warehouse and office when they can all efficiently run the same T8 lamps with electronic ballasts? Once done, you won't have to change lamps or ballasts so often because of the high reliability of T8 systems. Think of the time that is saved in renting a lift with a system that works better. Along with these benefits, doing a lighting retrofit will enhance the lighting in the space and may even qualify for utility company rebates. In this day of doing more with less, this is one upgrade that will reap benefits for years to come without any sacrifice. It's simple, easy and will work on virtually any 8 foot fixture on the market today.