T12 Fluorescent Lamps to be Eliminated in 2012

Property owners weigh in: Department of Energy to phase out T12 lamps in 2012

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Oct 13, 2010, 07:47 ET

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Is your facility still using T12 fluorescent lamps? If so, time is running out on the opportunity to take advantage of rebates and tax incentives for upgrading to energy efficient alternatives. The National Lighting Bureau (NLB) has estimated that over 500 million T12 lamps are still in use. However, recent regulations by the Department of Energy (DOE) have initiated a plan to phase out traditional T12 lamps and ballasts by July 2012.

Despite their continued use, T12s are widely known as inefficient, dead technology that can easily be replaced by T8 or T5 fluorescent alternatives which are more energy efficient, longer lasting, and have a better quality of light.

"With available rebates and tax incentives, plus the monthly energy cost savings that occur when retrofitting to energy efficient T8s or T5s, the upgrade virtually pays for itself within a year," says Sean Neman, Director of Operations at ReGreen Inc. "People need to act fast to cash in on the available rebates and incentives while they are still available. With recent regulations virtually eliminating traditional T12s by 2012, these incentives will not be available for long."

The simplest retrofit of a T12 lamp + magnetic ballast to a T8 lamp + electronic ballast can save 30-40% on energy costs. Rebates from local utility companies in qualifying areas can subsidize the cost for upgrades 60-100%. Additionally, using the Commercial Building Tax Deduction (CBTD), owners and managers can receive tax benefits up to $0.60/square foot.

To see if your property qualifies for energy efficient lighting upgrade rebates, email [email protected] or call (213) 621-7664 and receive a free energy audit on your property today.

ReGreen Inc. has worked on over 250 million square feet of building space and has helped over 3,000 properties decrease operational costs and increase energy efficiency. Additional services offered by ReGreen include: