florida joe
Well-Known Member
Found this informative info on T5 thought it would be a benifit to post.
Fluorescent T5 lighting has many benefits in many different types of settings. T5 aquarium lighting was the first introduction of this new technology and it quickly became very popular with aquarium enthusiasts. Many liked the new technology because it was more compact and took up less space in an aquarium. Others preferred the compact fluorescent lights because they did not radiate high levels of heat which can be very detrimental to the fish and plant life in an aquarium. In turn, there are many reasons why the new T5 technology was well received by the aquarium world so it was not difficult to believe that those same benefits can be useful in other lighting settings. Luckily, many manufacturers realized the potential quickly and began creating products that can be used in other formats. Today, the T5 technology can be found in households and business all around the world.
The energy efficiency of compact fluorescent T5 light bulbs is probably one of the most attractive qualities of the new technology. As homeowners and businesses look for ways to reduce the energy consumption of their properties, lighting is quickly becoming one of the easier and fastest ways to gain much needed energy efficiency benefit. Some form of fluorescent lighting is used in almost every type of building worldwide. Large facilities like schools, department stores, hospitals, warehouses, and factories require lighting in order to function each day. In the past, the only type of fluorescent light bulb available for purchase was metal halides which use an immense amount of electrical energy to operate when compared to T5 lights.
Experts say that the new technology has a higher lumen level per watt which in plain terms means that it uses up less energy to perform at an equivalent level of illumination that metal halides do. This alone is reason enough to make the switch no matter how many fluorescent light fixtures you currently have in use. Experts have also concluded that T5 fluorescent bulbs last an estimated two to three times longer than metal halides. The longer life span decreases the need to frequently change out bulbs which in turn reduces the cost of supplies and maintenance.
Consistent color and output retention is another important quality of T5 compact fluorescent light bulbs because standard metal halides lose around 35% of their lumen or illumination output over time. The gradual loss of output can affect production in a facility especially in areas where intricate tasks are being conducted. T5 light fixtures retain an estimated 5 to 6% of their lumen output over a lifetime which is minimal and barely noticeable. Metal halides are also known losing some of their color output. The loss of color can become a problem in areas of production where lighting is crucial element for maintaining high levels of quality control. T5 fluorescent light bulbs have a Color Rendering Index rating of 82 which is substantially higher then the 65 to 70 rating of metal halide bulbs. The higher rating results in a greater level of visual acuity.
Many places that use fluorescent fixtures can vouch that it takes way too long for metal halides to warm up and come on. T5 light fixtures have an instant re-strike feature which means they come on instantly when turned on or if there is a power interruption. The quick fire function is especially helpful in large facilities that depend greatly on lights that function constantly and properly. Lights that have a quick-on capability can also be operated with the help of motion sensor or dimmers. Dimmers can be used when large amounts of illumination are not needed and motion sensors can be placed in areas where very little production is done. For instance, stairwells and storage areas only need to be lit when someone enters the space. In a large facility, features like these can greatly reduce energy consumption. Many facilities have to leave their lights on during the night hours because that is when cleaning crews and stock personnel are working. In many instances, dimming down the lights still offers plenty of illumination for such tasks.
In conclusion, T5 fluorescent technology has many benefits regardless of the setting. Whether you change out one or many light bulbs in your home or business, the impact can be quite substantial once you factor in the energy efficiency, longer life span, better color and output retention, and compact size of T5 fluorescents. Fewer fixtures are needed in order to get the same output especially if T5 HO lights are used. The higher output of a T5 HO light bulb is an excellent alternative to the substitute the brightness of metal halides.
Fluorescent T5 lighting has many benefits in many different types of settings. T5 aquarium lighting was the first introduction of this new technology and it quickly became very popular with aquarium enthusiasts. Many liked the new technology because it was more compact and took up less space in an aquarium. Others preferred the compact fluorescent lights because they did not radiate high levels of heat which can be very detrimental to the fish and plant life in an aquarium. In turn, there are many reasons why the new T5 technology was well received by the aquarium world so it was not difficult to believe that those same benefits can be useful in other lighting settings. Luckily, many manufacturers realized the potential quickly and began creating products that can be used in other formats. Today, the T5 technology can be found in households and business all around the world.
The energy efficiency of compact fluorescent T5 light bulbs is probably one of the most attractive qualities of the new technology. As homeowners and businesses look for ways to reduce the energy consumption of their properties, lighting is quickly becoming one of the easier and fastest ways to gain much needed energy efficiency benefit. Some form of fluorescent lighting is used in almost every type of building worldwide. Large facilities like schools, department stores, hospitals, warehouses, and factories require lighting in order to function each day. In the past, the only type of fluorescent light bulb available for purchase was metal halides which use an immense amount of electrical energy to operate when compared to T5 lights.
Experts say that the new technology has a higher lumen level per watt which in plain terms means that it uses up less energy to perform at an equivalent level of illumination that metal halides do. This alone is reason enough to make the switch no matter how many fluorescent light fixtures you currently have in use. Experts have also concluded that T5 fluorescent bulbs last an estimated two to three times longer than metal halides. The longer life span decreases the need to frequently change out bulbs which in turn reduces the cost of supplies and maintenance.
Consistent color and output retention is another important quality of T5 compact fluorescent light bulbs because standard metal halides lose around 35% of their lumen or illumination output over time. The gradual loss of output can affect production in a facility especially in areas where intricate tasks are being conducted. T5 light fixtures retain an estimated 5 to 6% of their lumen output over a lifetime which is minimal and barely noticeable. Metal halides are also known losing some of their color output. The loss of color can become a problem in areas of production where lighting is crucial element for maintaining high levels of quality control. T5 fluorescent light bulbs have a Color Rendering Index rating of 82 which is substantially higher then the 65 to 70 rating of metal halide bulbs. The higher rating results in a greater level of visual acuity.
Many places that use fluorescent fixtures can vouch that it takes way too long for metal halides to warm up and come on. T5 light fixtures have an instant re-strike feature which means they come on instantly when turned on or if there is a power interruption. The quick fire function is especially helpful in large facilities that depend greatly on lights that function constantly and properly. Lights that have a quick-on capability can also be operated with the help of motion sensor or dimmers. Dimmers can be used when large amounts of illumination are not needed and motion sensors can be placed in areas where very little production is done. For instance, stairwells and storage areas only need to be lit when someone enters the space. In a large facility, features like these can greatly reduce energy consumption. Many facilities have to leave their lights on during the night hours because that is when cleaning crews and stock personnel are working. In many instances, dimming down the lights still offers plenty of illumination for such tasks.
In conclusion, T5 fluorescent technology has many benefits regardless of the setting. Whether you change out one or many light bulbs in your home or business, the impact can be quite substantial once you factor in the energy efficiency, longer life span, better color and output retention, and compact size of T5 fluorescents. Fewer fixtures are needed in order to get the same output especially if T5 HO lights are used. The higher output of a T5 HO light bulb is an excellent alternative to the substitute the brightness of metal halides.
