Replacing T12 fluorescent lamps with T8 generally results in what?

• A. Higher energy use
• B. No change
• C. Energy savings, longer lamp life and lower cooling load
• D. Reduced light levels

Answer: (C)

Upgrading from T12 to T8 takes advantage of higher efficiency and better ballast technology, so you get more light per watt and less heat to load into the building systems. T8 lamps, especially when paired with modern electronic ballasts, use less power to produce the same or better lumen output. That means energy savings, and because the ballast and lamp run cooler than older T12 setups, the cooling load on the HVAC system also drops. You’ll also typically see longer lamp life, meaning fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs. These benefits assume the retrofit uses a compatible ballast and proper wiring, which is how the real-world improvement is achieved.