Florescent Lighting Bans?

[ultrarunner]

The sale of Florescent lamps is banned in California for all intent.

I have a hospital full of 4’ T8 overhead lamps which can no longer be sold in California and a few other states.

Instead of paying $2 for GE Florescent Bulbs I’m now paying a little over $6 for replacement GE LED bulbs.

The LEDs marketed as direct replacement but I quickly learned they kill my older ballasts overnight.

Call to GE direct as we have a National GE lighting contract and learned GE has a list of several pages of compatible and non compatible ballasts which is constantly being updated…

The kicker is there appears to be a nationwide ballast shortage now…

The old standard T8 have been industry standard for 30 years… even got a lighting award in 1995 when I installed them new here…

So instead of a $2 lightbulb I am looking a $6 LED bulbs plus ballast replacement for each LED installed.

 

[ultrarunner]

After January 1, 2025, California will have effectively banned the final sale and distribution of all fluorescent lamps per CA AB 2208. Aside from specialty lamps primarily used for medical or industrial purposes, the ban applies to screw, bayonet, and pin base compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), commonly used in both commercial and residential buildings. So, what does this mean for business owners and property managers? Those currently using these lamps must start planning to transition to alternative lighting solutions. Although this may require some planning and investment, upgrading to LED lighting is safer and more efficient, contributing to huge operational savings.

Why Is CA Banning Fluorescents?

One of the biggest concerns with fluorescent lighting is safety; these lamps contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal that poses significant environmental and health risks. When disposed of in landfills, the mercury contaminates ecosystems through leaching into the soil and water. In addition to these environmental and public health threats, fluorescents are also incredibly inefficient compared to LEDs. They produce more heat bringing operational costs up across all systems and have a shorter life cycle.

Upgrading to LED lighting will save business owners money while protecting Californians’ health and safety.

Major Dates

On and after January 1, 2024, compact fluorescent lamps, including screw and bayonet base CFL’s are not to be offered for final sale, sold at final sale, or distributed in this state as a new manufactured product.

On and after January 1, 2025, linear fluorescent lamps shall not be offered for final sale, sold at final sale, or distributed in this state as a new manufactured product.

Read the Bill

 

[CalG]

I've got that BS here as well.

I went over the river and bought tubes there.

 

[bmaverick]

Switch to direct wire LED T8 and ditch the ballast. Run both bulbs in parallel.

You will have to change the ends in the fixture to math the bulb, but it's easy.

I run 4000k or less. There are 3700k and 3000k bulbs. I hate the higher ones over 3700k. I call them fake lights.

 

[CalG]

Switch to direct wire LED T8 and ditch the ballast. Run both bulbs in parallel.

You will have to change the ends in the fixture to math the bulb, but it's easy.

I run 4000k or less. There are 3700k and 3000k bulbs. I hate the higher ones over 3700k. I call them fake lights.

If you needed to convert 2000 fixtures, "EASY" would have new meaning.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've got that BS here as well.

I went over to the river and bought tubes there.

I could physically buy in another state on my own dime a couple hundred T8 bulbs providing inventory to last until I retire.

It’s the older Made in USA first generation electronic ballasts with the compatibility issue…

 

[ultrarunner]

I run SPX 3500 almost exclusively except lobby/waiting areas where the SPX 3000 provide a calming spectrum.

The lighting supplier said the direct wire are not made or included in our GE contract…

Changing out as needed would be the job that never ends… well… not never but could go for years…

I have some T8 at the loading dock and stairwells over 12 years and still good being on 24/7

The LED cost a little over $6 isn’t a bad price but if not compatible even being free would be too much…

I’m going to check my ballast stock tomorrow… was not aware of nationwide shortage.

 

[mikester]

I think the issue is cheap chinesium ballasts.

Personally I like the LED's better than T8's or any fluorescent bulbs. LED's tend to be quiet, no flicker, instant on, lower power consumption.

I switched all my high bay T8's to LED and haven't had any issues for years now. All the cheap T8 fixtures I have had issues eating T8 bulbs and ballast failures. You get what you pay for.

 

[BigGG]

Switch to direct wire LED T8 and ditch the ballast. Run both bulbs in parallel.

You will have to change the ends in the fixture to math the bulb, but it's easy.

I run 4000k or less. There are 3700k and 3000k bulbs. I hate the higher ones over 3700k. I call them fake lights.

That's what I did on my home fixtures. I didn't have to change sockets for the tubes I bought. It would be a big job for a whole hospital, but would greatly reduce long-term replacements. If they have 277v lighting, that could be a different story.

 

[thclimer]

So the CFL bulbs were a scam. They never lasted 1/10 of the projected lifetime and didn't work in the cold. Consumer spent more money on CFL bulbs than the cost of the electricity used if they would have just left their incandescent bulbs on 24/7/365. And now they are all toxic to the environment, how many were ever disposed of properly?

I have now experienced many LED replacements for incandescent bulbs fail prematurely.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for saving energy and getting a higher quality light source, but I hope some longevity has been built into the design of these new LED strip lights.