The very slow death of T12 magnetic ballast has been a long time coming. The beginning of its demise dates as far back as 1975.
....but lets first start in the year 1992.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1992 (EPACT) amended The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) by setting minimum lamp efficiency standards for some incandescent reflector lamps and some general service fluorescent lamps. Importantly, EPACT also gave the Department of Energy (DOE) authority to amend these standards if they were warranted.
On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) was signed into law. Among its many provisions, EISA implements new efficiency standards for certain Incandescent Reflector Lamps (IRL) and directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake new energy conservation standards rulemaking for incandescent reflector lamps and general service fluorescent lamps.
With its new found power, the DOE issues its Ballast Ruling which prevents the manufacture or import of 1-lamp and 2-lamp F40T12 and 2-lamp F96T12 magnetic replacement ballasts after July 1, 2010. To this day, distribution companies are allowed to sell T12 ballasts but only until their inventories run out.
For energy efficiency, there are better choices than the T-12. If your going to fill an arena, business, manufacturing facility with lights, better stick with the most efficient available. What are the chances of getting a replacement kit for all our T-12 light fixtures? Don Ames, www.detectenergy.com
ReplyDeleteDon--- Chances are great! We are currently doing these projects converting the T-12's to T-8's. What info in particular are you looking for?
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