Fluorescent lighting is a cost-effective source of illumination that can have significant energy savings over time. However, when the time comes to make repairs or upgrade your lights, you may be wondering whether to choose fluorescent tubes or LED T8 tube lighting instead. Both lighting options have their pros and cons. Fluorescent light has a number of advantages over LED tube lighting. It is generally cheaper to purchase, operate, and maintain, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking long-term investment returns as well as shorter term operating savings. However, LED technology has made significant strides in recent years. The benefits of LED lighting are many and varied: Expandable design spaces, lower maintenance costs and improved efficiency are just a few of the potential benefits to switching from fluorescent tubes to LED T8 tube lighting in your commercial space.
What is the difference between fluorescent tube lighting and LED T8 tube lighting?
Fluorescent tube lighting and LED tube lighting both consist of a long glass tube filled with argon gas, mercury, and a small amount of phosphor that produces light when energized by an external power source. The main difference between the two types of lighting is how they produce light. In fluorescent tube lighting, a low-voltage starter initiates an electric current that travels through the tube and causes the tube’s contents to produce light. In LED tube lighting, an electrical current is applied to a semiconductor material that creates photons inside the tube that emit light. The way a tube lights may also be different. Fluorescent tubes use a starter (either a single T8 or two-T8 starter) to start the gas discharge. Once the discharge is started, power is fed to the tube through a ballast. Meanwhile, LED tubes use either a constant current driver or a constant voltage driver to power the tube.
Benefits of LED Tube Lighting
LED light is more efficient than fluorescent light, meaning you can use less electricity to produce the same amount of light. Improving the efficiency of your lighting system is one of the best ways to reduce your energy consumption, which can lead to reduced operating costs as well as reduced carbon emissions. Coupled with long-lasting lifespan, the reduced energy consumption makes LED light a good option for those interested in minimizing maintenance costs and maximizing the lifespan of their lighting system. While the initial investment can be higher than that associated with fluorescent lighting, LED light requires less frequent maintenance and therefore has a lower total cost of ownership over time. The improved energy efficiency can also allow businesses to qualify for Energy Star certification, as well as state and local rebates.
Benefits of Fluorescent Tube Lighting
Fluorescent lighting offers a number of benefits that LED tube lighting does not. For example, fluorescent tubes produce a larger amount of light per tube than LED tube lighting, making it a better choice for large areas. Fluorescent lighting also offers a greater variety of color options than LED tube lighting, making it a better choice for creating a certain atmosphere or mood. LED lighting is also not as responsive as fluorescent lighting to dimming and switching, meaning it can create a less responsive atmosphere in which to work or relax. Fluorescent tubes also typically last longer than LED tubes, making them a better choice for areas where longevity is a priority.
Different types of LED tube lighting
There are many types of LED tube lighting, but they can generally be categorized as either linear or circular. Linear LED lighting is similar in design to fluorescent T8 lighting, while circular LED tube lighting is similar in design to fluorescent T5 lighting. You can also find other creative alternatives to the standard T8 and T5 tubes. Different tube shapes, lengths, and wattages are all considerations when choosing LED tube lighting to replace or supplement the existing lighting system in your commercial space. Linear LED lighting is typically used in offices and retail settings. Circular LED lighting is typically used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Different types of fluorescent tube lighting
Fluorescent tube lighting comes in many different types, each of which has its own specific benefits and applications. For example, warm-white tubes are often used in offices and retail settings, while cool-white tubes are often used in industrial and manufacturing settings. There are also several different sizes of fluorescent tube lighting available, each of which produces a different amount of light and has a different length. When selecting fluorescent tube lighting, it is important to take the length and amount of light each tube produces into consideration as well as the color(s) produced by the tube.
Key Takeaway
Fluorescent lighting is a more common choice for commercial businesses, but more recent advances in LED technology are challenging that status quo. Although it may not be the right choice for every business, LED tube lighting offers many benefits that fluorescent tubes do not. If you are considering upgrading your commercial lighting system with LED tube lighting, be sure to consider the types of tubes available and how each type will affect the lighting in your space.
There has been a lot of innovation in LED lighting technology. As with all radical changes, there are myths and truths to LED lighting as well. In this blog, we are going to bust the 5 major myths.
