"Lights Out" for T12 Fluorescent Lamps

As of July 1, 2010, a U.S. Department of Energy mandate states that the magnetic ballasts used in many T12 fixtures will no longer be produced for commercial and industrial applications. Also, many T12 lamps will be phased out of production beginning in July 2012. Now is the time to replace or retrofit your T12 fixtures with more energy-efficient technology, and--most importantly--there are incentive deadlines approaching with your local utility provider!

About the Phase-Out

• Approximately 30% of all fluorescent lamps sold in the United States are T12 technology. 
• Responding to new federal regulations on the energy efficiency of fluorescent lamp ballasts, manufacturers soon will phase out production of many T12s. As a result, nearly 70% of all T12 fluorescent lamps sold in the United States will be phased out by July 2012. 
• Businesses and commercial facilities that currently use certain T12 systems can expect the cost of remaining T12 products in the marketplace to increase in the near term, as lighting manufacturers turn their attention to producing more energy-efficient products, such as highperformance T8 and T5 systems. 
• Lighting accounts for 30% to 60% of annual electric costs for most businesses, so upgrading to energy-efficient systems can help you save energy and money too.