Difference between T8 and T12?

[sheslostcontrol]

See lots of posts here talking about T8 bulbs - are they brighter and less energy efficient, or brighter and more energy efficient?

 

[Cryptic1911]

brighter, last longer, more efficient, and they are a smaller diameter bulb too. the T-# is 1/8" increments, so a T-8 bulb is 1", (8 8ths), and a t-12 is 1.5" (12 8ths)

 

[Falcon67]

I switched all my fixtures to T8 - 14 total 4' fixtures plus one 8'. I used 6500K bulbs. I have more light and use about 1/3 less power in the main light circuit. Plus they run cooler, so less heat load for the AC.

 

[nate379]

I was reading an article last week that was done on teh Air Force level about the savings of swapping out T12s for T8s. It was some serious $$$$... like much more than I will make in a 20 year career!

 

[z28snksknr]

They are 4 T's brighter than T8's.

....sorry. I'll shut up.

 

[tfi racing]

They are also better at producing light at lower temperatures than T12's,more energy that can be saved as you don't have to turn the temp up as much to be able to see.

 

[Strouty]

They are also better at producing light at lower temperatures than T12's,more energy that can be saved as you don't have to turn the temp up as much to be able to see.

I am pretty sure that has to do with the ballast more than the bulb, since T8 works with electronic ballast not the magnetic buzz boxes style. If you have the correct fixture with an electronic ballast, they will turn on in much colder weather. Home Depot sells a very inexpensive (read cheap) fixture. I think they are about $10, they are made in china by commercial electric. They used to be $7, I bought 25 of them, only had two that gave me any trouble. I have been using them for over three years now. The sockets can be a little temperamental. Sometimes the bulb will turn on an off randomly, but it just needs to be seated a little better.

 

[6768rogues]

T8 puts out more light with less electricity, work better in cold weather and are more instant on. T5 are another step better, but the price is a little high.

 

[ddawg16]

Guys.....here is a good reference on T12 vs T8....32W vs 40....etc....

Fluorescent Light Bulbs