LED Street Smarts

Street lighting turns to LEDs for longevity and efficiency

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been appearing in traffic signals and vehicle headlights for years and are poised to affect another source of light we use to navigate our cities and towns. 


Municipal street lighting retrofitted with LEDs has enhanced several communities’ nighttime environments, while significantly reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Administrators are well-versed in the financial strains of street lighting. It can account for up to one-quarter of a municipality’s electric bill, while maintenance can cost another 15 to 25 percent of their annual operating expense. However, what most municipalities lack is basic knowledge of lighting systems and technology.

T12 LIGHTING PHASE-OUT JULY 1, 2012

What should I be prepared for?

• Manufacturers will be phasing out their production

of T12 lamps and ballasts

• Progressively less availability of T12 lamps and

ballasts

• Increased cost of T12 lamps and ballasts due to

demand vs. limited supply

• To keep up with federal regulations of energy

efficiency, manufacturers’ technology and production

will be focused on T8 and T5 systems

What T12 Lamps are affected by this

phase out?

• T12 4-ft. & 2-ft U-lamps with medium bi-pin bases

   - Majority of F40 and F34T12 lamps and all FB40

and FB34T12 U-lamps

   - 4-ft. requires 3560 lumens @ 40W and 3030

lumens @ 34W to pass @ 89 LPW

   - 2-ft. U-lamps require 3360 lumens @ 40W and

2856 @ 34W to pass @ 84 LPW

• T12 8-ft. Slimline with single pin bases

   - All 75W F96T12 lamps

   - All 60W F96T12/ES except for the 800 Series

• T12 8-ft. 800mA HO with RDC bases

   - All 110W F96T12 HO lamps 

   - All 95W F96T12/ES/HO lamps

Did you know?

Approximately 30 percent of all fluorescent lamps sold

in the U.S. are still T12 technology. As a result of the

T12 phase out, 70 percent of all T12 fluorescent lamps

sold in the U.S. will be phased out come July 2012.

FAQ's

1. Why are T12 fluorescents systems being 

phased out?

Answer: T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts are 

considered outdated compared to the far more energy 

efficient T8 and T5 fluorescent technologies now 

available. The Department of Energy’s objective is to 

remove less efficient T12 fluorescent systems from the 

market, and thus increase lighting energy efficiency for 

organizations. 

2. What type of energy savings can I expect 

for upgrading?

Answer: Managers of facilities can select from several 

upgrade scenarios which could result in energy savings 

as high as 45 percent, with attractive 1-3 year simple 

paybacks to the building owner. 

3. Why are Energy Efficiency Fund incentives only 

offered for a limited time on T12 upgrades?

Answer: Once the DOE mandate becomes effective, 

it will become common practice to remove less efficient 

T12 systems; therefore, retrofitting T12 systems will be 

the customer’s only option for maintaining their old, 

inefficient lighting system.  Energy Efficiency Fund 

incentive programs will likely not support commercial 

and industrial T12 system retrofits in the future.

4. Are there some T12 systems that will continue to 

be manufactured?

Answer: Yes.  The following will continue to be manufactured:

• T-12 ballasts designed to dim fixtures more than 

50 percent of their full light output

• T-12 ballasts driving 8-foot, high-output fixtures 

designed for outdoor advertising

• T-12 ballasts designed and labeled for use in 

residential applications

5. Should I gradually change out my T12 magnetic 

ballast system or should I change it all at once?

Answer: In order to take advantage of the Energy 

Efficiency Fund’s 50 percent upgrade incentive, a 

project must upgrade the lighting system as a whole, 

not as individual fixture upgrades.

Please contact Electrical Systems and Services, Inc. with any questions or for a FREE evaluation and proposal for your lighting upgrade needs.