T8 ban.

Do you guys know anything about the banning of T8 fluorescent bipin bulbs in July of next year? I purchased 3 fixtures for my shop in may that use F32T8 bulbs. I went to puchase 3 more from Grainger today and saw that the bulbs won't be manufactured after July 14, 2012. This really sucks. Now I have lights that aren't going to have replacements available when the bulbs go out. And I have to find a new version so I can add lighting to my shop.

 

I was looking and saw that I can get an F28T8 bulb that will fit the fixture. Will this be ok to use with a ballast that calls for an F32T8? The difference that I can tell is it uses fewer watts.

 

I thought it was T-12s.

.......

 

Well, under further research I think I may have figured it out. Yes T-12s are banned. As far as t8s go, the versions that are halo-phosphor are banned and the ones that are triphosphor meet the new standards. I did find F32t8 on Grainger's website that say they meet the new standard so I am not going to worry. I will buy the old ones because they are cheaper thought.

Here is the bulb I bought last time that doesn't meet the new regs: Lamp, F32t8/Sp35/Eco - Fluorescent Linear Lamps - Lamps - 4PL15 : Grainger Industrial Supply

This is the alternative that does: Lamp, F32t8/Spx35/Eco - Fluorescent Linear Lamps - Lamps - 3VK29 : Grainger Industrial Supply

The second one has a higher lumen output than the first. This is where the energy savings occurs. The new light bulb regulations set standard for lumens per watt. They don't specifically ban any type of light bulb or their wattage.

 

Why would you want single phosphor lamps?

The CRI is of those is only around 60.

The new ones do a much better job of rendering colors.