Energy Solutions FAQs
Q. What does the T5 retrofit adapter look like compared to T12 bulbs?
T-12 bulb on left and new adapter with T-5 bulb on the right
Q. Do I have to change out my existing fixtures in order to go from a T12 and T8 bulb to the new energy efficient T5 Technology?
A. No, You simply disconnect the existing ballast and pop in the new retrofit adapter with its
built-in ballast and then install a new T5 bulb and IMMEDIATELY start saving on you energy costs. The built-in ballast is what makes our adapters burn a T5 28w bulb as low as 18w. Our independent test shows that they actually burn at 17.5 watts.
Q. Do I have to hire someone to install the conversion kit?
A. No, Any qualified maintenance personnel can install them.
Q. So how does it work?
A. The retrofit adapters simply plug in. The T5 retrofit adapters simply clip into existing
fixtures, transforming them electronically from conventional fittings to high frequency ballast
fittings of correct type and size to accept high efficiency T5 and T8 lamps. This enables you to get a light output equal or greater than your old tubes at dramatically lower energy consumption - in fact, with the reduced ballast losses and lower tube wattage, savings of 40% up to 70% (when de-lamping) are common.
Q. Does the T5 retrofit fluorescent adapter use T5 and High Output T5 fluorescent bulbs?
A. Yes
Old 4 bulb fixture – T8 Bulb-yellow hue Same Fixture-2 adapters – T5 Bulbs
Q. Do I lose any light reflectivity or lumens by going to a T5?
A. The smaller bulb diameters and higher light outputs of T5 lamps increase the light emitted per unit area – or the luminance – of the lamp bulb walls. A T5 or T5 high output (T5 HO) lamp has 60% of the surface area of a T8 lamp. Because, however, a standard T5 lamp has nearly identical light output to a T8 lamp (2,900 lumens versus 2,950 lumens), the surface luminance of a standard T5 lamp is 1.64 times as bright as a T8 lamp.
Q. If I don't need to swap out my light fixture how do I save money?
A. Our new high frequency ballast retrofit does not need a separate ballast. The ballast burns a typical T5 28w bulb as low as 18 watts. Compare to burnings T12’s at 40 watts or T8’s at 32 watts + the wattage in the ballasts. If you de-lamp to 2 bulbs you can save over 70% in energy costs.
Q. What, I don't need a ballast?
A. YES, that is correct. All old style ballasts are replaced with a modern high frequency ballast that is manufactured into the adapter. This greatly reduces maintenance. No need to get up into the ballast area again!
Q. Oh, so I save energy by not heating up the old style ballast so I cut the wires to
it and bypass it?
A. YES, that is correct. Our calculations will show how much your air conditioning costs can be reduced when changing out from T8 bulbs to T5’s. Additional savings will be seen If changing out from the much hotter burning T12’s.
Q. How much do I save?
A. Your electrical light savings will be reduced between 40-70% (de-lamping would be 70%+)
Q. What is my return on investment to retrofit my entire 20 story building?
A. The ROI (Return On Investment) averages about 12-24 months based on the U.S. average current kW costs. This will be less if you are able to de-lamp.
Q. Is the T5 Retrofit Adapter UL and CE approved?
A. Yes
Q. Is the T5 Retrofit Adapter Energy Star Rated?
A. We are Energy Star Partners – which is the only rating a commercial product can currently receive.
Q. Do the Adapter retrofits flicker and hum like our existing fluorescent lights?
A. No. The adapters do not flicker or hum. They are manufactured with the same top of the line Rubycon and Panasonic components normally found only in PHILIPS or OSRAM ballast.
Q. Is it more cost effective for me to change out my old T12 Bulbs and Ballast to new T8 bulbs
and a new ballast?
A. The cost on the front end is less, but over the cost of a year and going forward, the energy savings with the T5 retrofit adapters and bulbs is MUCH better. Contact us for a free analysis.
Q. How long is the manufacturer’s warranty?
A. Five Years on the adapter and three years on the T5 bulbs.
Q. What is the US Department of Energy mandated phase out schedule for
T12 ballasts?
• April 1, 2005: Manufacturing of T12 ballasts prohibited;
• July 1, 2005: Sales of T12 ballast for use in new lighting fixtures prohibited
• April 1, 2006: Sales of T12 lighting fixtures containing ballasts prohibited
• July 1, 2010: Sales of replacement (MRO) T12 ballasts prohibited.
Q. Are Tax Credits available for Retrofit Lighting?
A. FEDERAL: Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008: Energy Tax Incentives. Business owners are allowed an energy tax deduction that increases lighting efficiency by at least 25%. This will be based on a sliding scale; 25%=$.30 sq.ft., over 40%= $.60 sq. ft. Up to $.35 x project amount including installation. The T5 adapter calculations continually show savings of at least 40%. For more information, go to: www.lightingtaxdeduction.org/tax_deduction.html
Rain.shine Technologies continues to work these numbers very close, but please consult with your tax professional.
A. STATES: In May 2008, Georgia enacted legislation establishing personal and corporate tax credits for renewable energy equipment and certain energy-efficient equipment installed and placed into service. Tax credits are for a maximum of $100,000 for lighting retrofit projects. In Georgia the tax credit is equal to 35% of the cost of the system (including installation), $0.60/square foot for lighting retrofit projects. See links for other States and for further info: http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm
A. UTILITY REBATES: Please check with our local utility companies. Many local utility companies are offering energy saving lighting rebates.
Q. Why are we offering New Technology in Green Lighting?
A. We are committed to helping people live better lives and showing our responsibility to the community by using Green friendly products and reducing Greenhouse Gas and Energy consumption. Based on our partners' certification, this new product technology will be available with extended warranty and performance guarantees.
Q. Do you have evidence showing the electric load of the 28 watt
T-5 running at 18 watts?
A. We have available an independent test result from the testing lab in Colorado that shows the 18w adapter is actually burning at only 17.4 watts and the 28w adapter burning at only 26.3 watts.
Q. Are the proposed T-5's special made to fit "adapters" or are they
commercially available at all/most supply houses?
A. Adapters are commercially available through distributors throughout the US. Supply houses have not stocked because of the technical nature of the sale. Not just a catalog item.
Q. Do you have any evidence of the lumen output of a 28 watt T-5
running at 18 watts?
A. T5= 1.6 times brighter than T8.
Q. Do you have results of foot candle measurements before and after
a retrofit?
A. St. Pius High School went from (3) T8 bulbs in a fixture down to (2) T5 28watt adapters and bulbs and went from 46 foot candles up to 56 foot candles. Holy Spirit High School tested at (2) T8 28w = 32 foot candles at the desktop. Replaced with (2) T5 18w =39 foot candles at the desk top.
Q. Will the foot candle measurements be comparable after bulbs grow
old and lenses are dirty again?
A. Less than 5% degradation with a T5 bulb.
Q. What is the expected life of the equipment (adapters)?
A. Life expectancy is 60,000 hrs. That’s 16 years at 14 hrs. per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year.
Q. Does the adapter (electronics) create transients/harmonics which are
harmful to other equipment?
A. Harmonic distortion less than 10%. Exceeds all recommended specifications by ANSI etc