Overview: Upgrading your business lighting can be a great way to save money on your energy bill, but it often leaves the difficult question: which lights should I upgrade to? You might have read up on the advantages of T5 or even T8 bulbs, or maybe you've found a convincing article recommending LED lighting. But which is right for you? Check out the blog below to find out more.
If your business has any kind of office or store front, then there's good chance that you're spending a considerable amount of money on energy bills. The good news is that there is something you can do about this! As technology advances at an ever-increasing rate, newer and more energy efficient bulbs continue to appear on the market. Three such bulbs are T8 and T5 fluorescent lights and the well-known LED lighting bulbs. Let's find out more about each.
T8 Lighting
With fluorescent lights, the number after the “T” represents the size of the tube used. The larger the number, the larger the tube and the more energy is needed to light it up. With T5 lights also on offer, you may wonder why you'd ever choose T8s seeing as they have a higher number and lower efficiency. It's a good question but one that is easily answered. For most businesses, energy savings are less about saving the planet and more about saving money and in many cases upgrading to T8 lights may be the most cost effective lighting upgrade option. T8 lights cost less than T5s and so they require a lower investment and have a quicker payback period. This means that they can be a great option for businesses interested in making energy savings without spending a lot of money in the process.
T5 Lighting
Next up is T5 lighting, a more efficient type of lighting when compared to T8 bulbs. However, this efficiency comes at a price and T5s cost a lot more to set up than T8 lights do. The upside is that once they are installed, they save more energy and after the payback period is completed, you'll be reaping greater rewards.
LED Lighting
At the top of the spectrum in terms of both cost and efficiency is LED lighting. LED lights are renowned for their energy savings and long life span but they come with an equally impressive price. The high installation fees that LED lights come with mean that business owners should think long and hard about whether the cost is worth it. There are also compatibility issues to deal with as LED lights will require new fixtures if they are replacing a fluorescent lighting setup. The more lights you have the more money you can save, and this has caused some high-profile companies, such as Ford Motors, to invest in LEDs and make the switch. However, for small business owners with fewer lights, the savings will be a lot lower and so upgrading to LEDs may not actually be the best choice – even if you can afford it.
Bottom Line: With so many options to choose from, upgrading your Calgary business lighting can be a surprisingly difficult process. If you're looking to save your company a bit of extra money then three of the best choices are T8 and T5 fluorescent lights, and LED lighting. But how do you choose which is best for your business? This depends a lot on your company's specific situation but it all comes down to balancing your investment with the expected savings and payback period.
To find out more about the differences between T5 lighting, T8 lighting and LED lighting, contact Fluorescent Man Lighting in Calgary today on 403-863-8529 and we'll be happy to answer any questions you might have!
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