Q. Why should I replace my HID lighting system with high performance T5HO linear fluorescent fixtures?

For the past fifteen years, office and retail facility operators have had the opportunity to realize enormous energy cost reductions as a result of energy efficient lighting retrofits. Because of a lack of viable options for HID systems, industrial facilities have been left behind.

Today, new lighting technology allows industrial facilities to participate in the Green Lighting efficiency revolution. By replacing your old High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide Lighting system with New T5HO High Performance fixtures, specifically designed to replace HID Hi-Bay fixtures, you can enjoy substantial energy savings, superior performance, and improved reliability.

Q. How much money can I save?

There are many variables which make each facility unique, however, a typical 100,000 square foot warehouse with lighting operating from 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday can save $25,000 per year. In situations where you have longer burn hours and higher electricity costs the same plant could save $50,000 per year. Call Electrical Marketplace today to find out how much you can save in your facility.

Q. How much will it cost to install the new T5 High Bay system?

There are many factors that will dictate the final cost, but roughly $0.75 to $1.25 per square foot will accomplish most HID to fluorescent Hi-Bay conversions. Simple paybacks are often in the 2 to 4 year range. Utility rebates can often lower initial investment and improve payback.

Q. Are there financing options available for switching to T5 High Bay Lighting?

Yes. There are contractors and electrical utilities who can arrange financing in the form of a two to five year payback program, with payments made based on monthly electrical savings. The resulting energy savings will create a positive cash flow from day one!

Q. Will my maintenance cost increase when switching to a T5 High Bay system?

Even though T5 fixtures utilize four or six fluorescent lamps to replace a 400 watt HID fixture, the cost to replace these lamps in a fluorescent Hi-Bay is comparable to the cost to replace a single HID lamp, so maintenance costs typically are not affected.

The multiple lamps can be an advantage when it comes to maintenance because when a single HID lamp fails the fixture often needs to be repaired immediately. When a single fluorescent lamp fails, the companion lamps remain lit and an immediate repair is not necessary.

Q. How can I be certain that light levels will be maintained?

With a properly designed retrofit solution the overall performance of your lighting system can be maintained or improved. The quantity and quality of light can be measured in many ways, and in the past, a simple review of catalog lamp lumens or foot-candles could lead a designer to conclude that fluorescent Hi-Bays produced insufficient light to replace 400 watt HID’s. However, when taking into account T5HO fixture efficiency, color appearance, glare, contrast, shadows, S/P adjusted foot-candles, and end of life lumen maintenance, fluorescent Hi-Bays generally outperform standard HID Hi-Bays.

Your lighting professional will work with you and the fixture manufacturer to design a system that meets the needs of your facility. Sample installations can be performed to verify the results prior to project implementation.

Q. Can a T5 HO fluorescent system use occupancy sensing controls like the HID Hi-Lo dimming system?

Yes. One of the compelling features of the T5HO fluorescent conversion is that it allows the lights to be turned completely off in the aisles when not in use, without shortening the 20,000-hour rated life of the T5HO lamp. HID lamps cannot be turned off completely without a lengthy restart cycle, and the low setting on most Hi-Lo control systems is usually higher than the maximum wattage of the corresponding T5HO system.

Q. Won’t mounting the new fixture be cost prohibitive?

No. The replacement fixtures include custom hardware options designed to match the existing mounting system. We can use the existing hook, cord, and plug, or pendant setup to make one-for-one replacements very efficient.

Q. Our facility has a 480 volt HID lighting system. Since fluorescent electronic ballasts are not available in 480 volts, don’t we have to keep our HID system?

No. We can very often provide 277 volts to the fixtures by reconfiguring (splitting) the circuits. Your electrician can provide details. In addition, 480-volt electronic T5HO ballasts are in development and will soon be commercially available.

Some companies that have used Electrical Marketplace High Bays