Is your fluorescent light bulb flickering or dimming? Here are the most common signs that your commercial lighting products need to be replaced.
Traditionally, fluorescent bulbs were most commonly used for commercial lighting purposes but today, these products are becoming more and more popular in Calgary homes. This could be due to many reasons including:
- Fluorescent bulbs are 66% cheaper than regular lighting products
- They have a longer life span (up to 6 times that of a regular bulb)
- They don’t give off any additional heat
However, despite these products’ longevity, fluorescent lights can burn out from time to time. If you notice your lights are dimming or flickering, it’s important to contact a lighting specialist straight away.
Whether you’re having trouble with your fluorescent bulbs or LED lighting, FML offers a wide range of general repair services to ensure your lighting is restored on time, safely and at the best price!
So Your Bulbs Are Flickering? Find Out If It’s Time To Replace Your Fluorescent Bulbs
One of the biggest advantages of fluorescent lights over other products such as LED lighting is their ability to go for years without requiring repairs or replacement.
However, there will come a time when your bulbs will need replacing and doing so quickly will maximize their performance and ensure that your residential/commercial lighting always looks as good as new!
Signs that your fluorescent bulbs might need replacing
- Bulbs flickering rapidly
- A buzzing sound coming from your fixture
- Black bands visible on the tube
- Dim light
- Swollen casing
- Any leakage
Importance of replacing your broken fluorescent bulbs IMMEDIATELY
Unlike other products such as LED lighting, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and while it is very effective at enabling light, it is also HIGHLY TOXIC. If your fluorescent bulb breaks, the mercury can escape as a vapor (which can be inhaled) or as a fine powder (settling into the carpet or other textiles.)
Mercury poisoning is VERY serious and can lead to health problems such as:
- Impairment of peripheral vision
- Impairment of speech, hearing and/or walking
- Muscle weakness
- Lack of coordination
- Disturbances in sensations (e.g. ‘pins & needles’ feeling)
Whether you are using fluorescent bulbs for residential or commercial lighting, it’s important to call in a specialist as soon as possible to clean up and replace any broken or leaking bulbs/tubes.
Fluorescent vs LED Lighting
For year, lighting commercial spaces was a no-brainer. Most people simply went with fluorescent lights. However, today, with the incredible advancements in LED technology, there’s a new player in the commercial lighting arena.
LED lighting products promise high efficiency and incredible benefits over fluorescent bulbs including:
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Mercury-Free
- Unlike fluorescents, LED lighting contains no mercury. This makes them safe for the environment and for your family/employees.
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Full Dimming Capabilities
- Many LEDs have full dimming capabilities, unlike fluorescents which are expensive to dim and do so poorly.
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Shatter-proof
- Most high-quality LED lights are made with shatterproof coating. With fluorescent products, you either have to specially order a shatter-proof lamp or use a tube guard (which is costly.)
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Works well with controls
- LEDs work perfectly with control systems since their life is not affected by turning them on/off. However, fluorescent bulbs tend to burn out faster when integrated with sensors and controls.
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Directional Light
- LED lighting offers directional light (exactly where you need it.) However, fluorescents have multi-directional light which means that some light is lost in the fixture and other unnecessary places. Are you considering LED products for your residential or commercial lighting needs? Our specialists can help determine whether LED lighting is the best solution for your individual requirements and aesthetic goals.
Call Today
To find out more about our handyman and repair services or our wide range of residential/commercial lighting products, contact our Calgary office today at 403-863-8529 or use our online contact form.
