FAQ

Below are some questions we are asked often.

Fluorescent lamps are energy efficient, cost effective alternative lighting sources with many benefits to you, the user, and the environment.  They use less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb, last longer, and give off less heat, making them a cost-effective lighting alternative.

Yes! Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, and they last ten times longer.

If you replace a standard incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent, you can save about $40 in energy costs over the four-year life of the bulb.

Plus, you'll save on the cost of at least eight incandescent bulbs during that time, as well as numerous trips to the store - and that's just one fixture.  Compact fluorescents help to save the environment and they are especially good for hard-to-reach/inconvenient places where the lights are on for long periods of time.

There is not a higher energy requirement for starting lamps that outweighs running them for any period of time.  Although shorter burning cycles (more "on and offs") can reduce lamp life, it is always better to turn lights off when they are not in use.  Since the cost of the electricity (even in the cheapest markets) is so much more that the cost of replacing lamps a little sooner, you would maximize your savings by turning off the lamps when you don't need the light.

High-bay lighting is used in high-ceiling areas to light surfaces more than 15 feet away.  Common high-bay applications include industrial manufacturing, gymnasiums, warehouses, and warehouse-type retailers.  The most energy efficient high bay lighting today utilizes high output T-8 & T-5 and induction fluorescents.

Switching from HID lamps to HO T-8 and T-5 fluorescent fixtures is now a common strategy for increasing energy efficiency in warehouses and other high-bay lighting situations. HO T-8 and T-5’s:

• Are capable of instant-on and instant re-strike.
• Can be used with energy-saving occupancy sensors.
• Can be adjusted through dimming (with a dimmable ballast).
• Have lower average mercury content than metal halide HID lamps.

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures color rendering from light sources with respect to natural sunlight.  Natural sunlight equals 100 CRI, the best light available.  So the closer the CRI number is to 100, the more closely colors will appear as they do in sunlight.  And lights with the highest CRI numbers product the clearest, most vibrant and natural-looking colors.

Color temperature can be quantified using a scale marked in degrees Kelvin.  Lighting can vary in color temperature between 2,000 degrees Kelvin (warm) and 9,500 degrees Kelvin (cold); the scale is derived from the fact that the light emitted by heated objects produces a spectrum, which changes as the temperature increases.  Low-temperature lighting is progressively warmer (more red/yellow), while high-temperature lighting grows progressively colder (more blue).

• Warm White - Use where skin tones and wood tones are important, such as kitchens, bathrooms and recreation rooms.  Usually around 3000-3500K.
• Cool White - Use where color is not as critical, such as offices, work areas, utility rooms, storage areas and garages.  Usually around 4100K.
• Day Light (5000K) - The 5000K lamp produces a much whiter light more closely associated with sun light.  The advantage of this light color is that it increases contrast.  Black becomes blacker and white becomes whiter.  This lamp makes an excellent reading light, can be used in areas where precise tasks are being done, and is great in high bay lighting situations.

Most standard lamps are designated in the following format F32T8 41K.  The F meaning that the lamp is fluorescent, the 32 is the lamp wattage, the T designates the shape of the lamp (T = tubular), the 8 is the diameter of the lamp in 1/8 of an inch.  A T8 lamp has an 8/8 diameter or one inch diameter.  A T12 lamp has a 12/8 diameter or 1-1/2 inches.  The last designation is the color of the light the lamp emits in this case 4100 degrees Kelvin.  You may see other color designators such as CW cool white, WW warm white, or other numbers in degrees Kelvin.  The higher the number the cooler the color of the lamp. The lower the number the warmer the color of the lamp is.

The international basic physical quantity of all measurements of light.  All other units are derived from it.  Its value is determined by the light emitted by a laboratory device operating at a specific temperature.

A measure used to compare light output to energy consumption.  Efficacy is measured in lumens per watt.  For example, if a 100-watt light source produces 1750 lumens, then the efficacy of the light source is 17.5 lumens per watt.

One lumen uniformly distributed over one square foot of surface.  One lumen falling on one square foot of surface produces illumination of one- foot candle.

One thousand watts of electric energy consumed in one hour.  Example: One 1,000-watt lamp or ten 100-watt lamps burning for one hour.

A measure of the degree to which the input current is distorted from a sine wave, measured as a percentage.  THD is usually expressed as a percentage of the fundamental frequency line current.  THD for 4-foot electromagnetic fluorescent ballasts range from 20% to 40%.  For compact fluorescent ballasts, THD levels greater than 50% are common.  Good electronic ballast have less than 10% THD.

A magnetic ballast uses coiled wire and creates magnetic fields to transform voltage. A magnetic ballast does not change the frequency of the power to the lamp—it remains the same as the input power, in the United States 60 Hz.  These types of ballasts for fluorescent lighting are being phased out in the industry.

An electronic ballast uses solid state components to transform voltage. It also changes the frequency of the power from 60 Hz to 20,000 Hz, or higher, depending on the ballast. Because the electronic ballast doesn't use coils and electromagnetic fields, it can function more efficiently and cooler than magnetic. The frequency change also greatly reduces any flicker in the lamp due to burn in or improper power.

The noise coming from your fluorescent light fixture is usually a loose or malfunctioning ballast. It is most likely a magnetic ballast.

Fixtures used in offices range from types such as the Troffer, Parabolic, Strips, Undercabinet and Indirect/Direct fluorescent fixtures.

Yes.  You must ground all fixtures for effective use and safety.

Yes, BUT ONLY if the fluorescent fixture is equipped with a special dimming ballast, which can be special ordered.  DO NOT use an ordinary dimming switch made for an incandescent light bulb with fluorescent fixtures.

There are a few compact fluorescent light bulbs that have been specifically designed to be able to be dimmed on an incandescent dimmer.  Eastern Energy Solutions has these available.  However, generally speaking, CFL light bulbs cannot be dimmed.

If you see darkened ends on any fluorescent light bulb, this may indicate that the light bulb should be replaced for best results.  A new light bulb will keep the fixture running efficiently and at maximum brightness.

Retrofitting or upgrading a fixture means converting it from one type of light source to another.  This term is used when converting an incandescent fixture to a compact fluorescent fixture, T-12 fluorescent fixture to a T-8 or T-5 fluorescent fixture, a metal halide/high pressure sodium fixture to a T-8 or T-5 fluorescent fixture, etc.

Energy Star is a voluntary partnership among the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, service providers, product manufacturers, local utilities and retailers, designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  Eastern Energy Solutions is an Energy Star Partner.

A ballast (or fixture) is considered High Power Factor if it is rated at greater than 90%.

Yes.  Motion sensors are an excellent way to save more electricity, especially in a low traffic area.  They can be used in many configurations to greatly increase the return on investment and lamp/ballast life in a lighting project.

Acrylic is breakable, but will not yellow.  It is less expensive & can look like glass.  Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable, but will turn yellow under UV radiation (sunlight & fluorescent lamps).  Both are available in various colors including clear.

Powder coating is a paint process that uses a dry powder that is either applied electrostatically & then heated, or is applied to a preheated metal surface.  It is safer for the environment than wet paints, creates a harder and stronger coating, & lasts longer than wet paints.  Most quality fixture companies utilize Powder Coating.  Lighting manufacturers also uses galvanized steel and marine grade aluminum in their fixtures to increase durability of the products.

Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, which is a hazardous waste, but the amount in a single lamp is small.  Please check with your local authorities if you are disposing of a large quantity of fluorescent tubes.

Sure, as long as it is in an enclosed fixture.  CFL's have a harder time starting when it is below 32 degrees, so the bulb may not come to full brightness.

Task lighting is the concept of providing the correct amount of light for the task being performed.  It does not require the same amount of light to walk down an isle or run a copy machine as it does to read a type written page, so why light the entire environment? When utilizing task lighting, the general light level in the facility is lowered thus creating a softer, more pleasant atmosphere and saving energy.  The work surfaces are then supplemented with task lighting, either under shelf or freestanding to provide the correct amount and quality of light for the task being performed.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a serious depression that recurs each year around the same time, starting in the fall or winter, and ending in the spring.  Some of the symptoms typical of depression are sadness, anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate, withdrawal into solitude and loss of interest in life.  This condition can also cause changes in sleep paterns and changing in eating habits.

Treatment: Light therapy, also called phototherapy, is considered the standard treatment of SAD... The device most ofton used is a bank of white fluorescent lights... Controlled studies have shown that using some form of natural lighting such as light boxes or fluorescent lighting greatly improves the mood of people suffering from this condition... For more information, please visit other links related to light therapy on the internet....

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