Low-Wattage T8 & T5 Lamps with Electronic Ballasts
Savings rating ★★★★★
- $5-15rebate
-
66-99% annual
savings
Low-wattage T8 and T5 lamps (25/28 watts), when used with high-performance electronic ballasts, can reduce lighting costs up to 70% compared to T12 lamps with older magnetic ballasts. Energy savings from replacing T12s with low-wattage T8s pays for the retrofit cost in one to two years. Energy savings from replacing standard T8s with low-wattage or super T8s pay off within three to four years.
Older commercial lighting (more than 10 years old) is usually comprised of four- or eight-foot T12 lamps or 34-watt T8 lamps. Low-wattage T8 lights use 40% fewer watts, produce 40% less heat (which helps air conditioning), and 10% more light than T12s. The newer, low-wattage T5s are 10% to 15% more efficient than T8s.
High-performance electronic ballasts can power more lamps than magnetic ballasts. Fewer lamps mean less energy and materials used, resulting in lower operations costs. Electronic ballasts are available in low, normal and high strengths.
Apply for Hawaii Energy rebates for low-wattage T8 and T5 lamps and electronic ballasts.
Available for existing facilities and new construction.
Sample Savings |
|||
Before |
After |
||
Magnetic Ballasts |
T12s |
Electronic Ballast |
Low-wattage T8s |
| 16 watts | 34 watts | 21 watts | |
| 34 watts | 10 watts | 21 watts | |
| 16 watts | 34 watts | 21 watts | |
| 34 watts | |||
| Total wattage: | 168 watts | Total wattage: | 73 watts |
Annual savings |
||||
| Oahu: $66 | Big Island: $96 | Maui: $81 | Molokai: $93 | Lanai: $99 |
Savings are based on residential electric company rates as of January 2010 for lighting used 5 days a week, 12 hours a day for a year, for a total of 223 kWh/year.
Smart Energy Facts
- T is for tubular, the fluorescent lamp shape
- 5, 8 and 12 indicate the diameter of the lamp in eights of an inch. The lower the number, the more efficient the lamp.
- T5=5/8 inch
- T8= 8/8 inch or 1 inch
- T12 =1.5 inches
- 1,000 unused watts save 1 kWh of electricity every hour.
Hawaii Energy T8, T5 and Electronic Ballast Rebates
Electronic ballast with qualifying low-wattage T8 lamps (25 and 28 watt) re-lamp & re-ballast
| Lamp Type | Existing Facilities | New Construction |
| 2' T8 lamps 3' T8 lamps 8' T8 lamps |
$5.00 per lamp $6.00 per lamp $7.50 per lamp |
$5.00 per lamp $6.00 per lamp $7.50 per lamp |
Replace 4' T12 to low-wattage T8 lamps & HP electronic ballast
| Lamp Type |
Existing Facilities | New Construction |
| 4' low-wattage T8 lamps |
$15 per lamp | N/A |
Replace 4' T8 to low-wattage T8 lamps & HP electronic ballast
| Lamp Type | Existing Facilities | New Construction |
| 4' low-wattage T8 lamps |
$7.50 per lamp | N/A |
HP = high performance
HO= high output
