Why You Should Compare Induction Lighting vs Metal Halide vs T5HO

More Options beyond Metal Halide and T5 HO?

A little over a month ago I published an article where we compared 400W Metal Halide lighting to T5 HO Fluorescent high bays.

While T5 HO fluorescents are a great energy saving alternative to Metal Halide, they are by no means a solution for all applications.

Induction Lighting for Interiors?

In addition to exterior applications inductive fluorescents are a great application for interior applications  as well. I will show you how the benefits are nearly equal for both exterior and interior applications.

Interior Inductive Fluorescent Lighting

Standard Linear fluorescents do a great job of lighting up large areas very efficiently.

However they still suffer from lamp failure at around 36,000 hours, as well as decreased light output in non climate controlled areas.

In cases such as this it's hard to compete with the Inductive Fluorescent.

While it consumes roughly the same wattage as a T5 HO fixture (215 watts), it's robust design allows for  reliability and good lighting levels down to -30 degrees F.

It will go all the way up to 140 degrees F.

In contrast the T5 lamps are designed for optimal lighting at around 90 degrees F.

Exterior Induction Lighting

Take any parking lot area and you will see either high pressure sodium or metal halide fixtures lining the rows.

It's not because the owner likes to pay for ridiculously high energy usage, up until recently it was due to lack of options.

Inductive fluorescent provides a means to cut power usage in parking lots by 50 % and in some case as much as 75%!!

Auto dealerships, parking lots, and anywhere else that illuminates an outdoor space can all benefit greatly from this technology.

Induction Reduces Maintenance Costs!

I thought that heading would get your attention! Getting your attention is one thing, but that is the fact with Induction lighting fixtures.

In reality no equipment is truly maintenance free.  In some applications, we have used fixtures from Everlast Lighting, based in Jackson Michigan.   We like them because the fixtures are backed with a 10 year warranty and offer 100,000 hr lamp life.

In the world of lighting fixtures that's as close to maintenance free as you can get, especially in places with existing Metal Halide High Bays.

If you have your fixture lit for 4000 hours per year, that is 25 YEARS of lamp life!!  You won't find that in many other types of fixtures. 

The chart below show you some of the costs differences between different lighting technologies.

Even Better........You get Better Light!

The last point that needs mentioning is CRI or Color Rendering Index.

Simply put, its a rating showing how close artificial light is to natural sunlight.

The higher the CRI number the better color is rendered in that light. Higher CRI allows the eye to see with better definition as well as reducing eye strain.

Inductive: Higher Upfront Cost....but Long Term Benefits....

Induction lighting does have more of an upfront cost, however the labor to install it is the same as lighting used today.

When you start weighing the benefits of induction lighting such as energy savings, reduced maintenance and upkeep, and better lighting quality, your return on that initial investment will be recouped relatively quickly.

The only way to find out which application is right for your facility, is an onsite visit.  We are offering a free onsite or telephone consultation to help point you in the right direction. 

Let us know in the comments what you think about Inductive Fluorescent lighting.

Want to Learn More About Energy Efficiency?

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Understanding where to find savings is the first step in understanding how to implement energy efficiency strategies.