Ugly fixtures and ugly light. Why are you waiting to upgrade from fluorescent to linear LED?
Nearly a century after fluorescent glass tubes became a practical lighting option, the end of the T5, T8, and T12 versions of fluorescent tubes appears to be one step closer. Governor Tim Waltz of Minnesota recently signed legislation to end the sale of fluorescent bulbs in his state over the next two years. The new law includes language related to clean lighting alternatives, specifically LEDs. A similar law is pending the governor’s signature in Illinois. Minnesota and Illinois join Rhode Island, Oregon, Maryland, Maine, Hawaii, Colorado, Vermont, and California as states where most fluorescent lighting applications have been banned. These state bans follow the 2023 pledge from 147 countries to ban the sale of fluorescent lighting by 2027.
The language in these bans’ text typically mentions the environmental and health mercury-related issues. Still, the ability to enact these bans has been aided by the continuing emergence of light fixtures that use LEDs to generate light. At one time, the fluorescent tube, using low-pressure mercury vapor to produce visible light, was nearly ubiquitous in schools, offices, hospitals, retail stores, and industrial settings. The “tube light” became preferred in these settings due to the higher efficacy and lower operating cost.
Linear LED lighting overtakes fluorescent tubes
When LED light source fixtures became readily available over a decade ago, fluorescent was no longer the more efficient choice. Unlike fluorescent tubes, LED light fixtures convert 95% of their energy into light while only wasting 5% as heat. LED also delivers a much more flexible and higher quality of light while using significantly less electrical power.
Despite the current and future ban on sales, fluorescent tubes are still widely used. Walk into any grocery store, medical office, or school, and there is a good chance you will find a T8 or T12 buzzing and flickering away. The opportunity to upgrade to LED linear light fixtures remains in place for commercial and industrial facilities.
The advantages of LED over fluorescent are well known. Energy savings, long life, less maintenance, and environmental impact are notable features that LED delivers over fluorescent. However, for the lighting designer, linear LED lighting offers style and technology benefits essential to satisfying a customer’s demands for lighting design. Let’s face it: fluorescent tube fixtures are not attractive or creatively flexible. Tube lights are often hidden away from view because seeing the bulb/tube, metal fixture box, and ballast is not the memorable impression designers strive to attain. The fixture assembly is unattractive, and the light provided by fluorescents is generally considered unflattering for humans. Fluorescent tubes emit a very low CRI light quality (Color Rendering Index).
The beauty and flexibility of LED linear lights.
Linear lighting is an essential component of interior lighting design projects. Long straight runs of suspended or recessed linear fixtures can be practical illumination options while also serving as dramatic design features. Using linear fixtures in geometric patterns can deliver a focal point of emphasis in a space or enforce the theme of a room or facility.
Linear fixtures can be the primary light source or be used as accent lighting when combined with other fixture types. Linear LED lighting can also integrate with smart lighting controls to create moods or periodic scene changes using color temperature, dimming, and occupancy sensors.
It’s time to remove the fluorescent linear tubes and upgrade to beautiful, efficient, healthy, smart LED lights. Click here to talk with the professionals at Lumato.