Would you use T5 or T8?

[69Cat]

Need to put some lights in my new garage. Will use 4' two tube fixtures mounted at 9' ceiling. Garage is 50' x 25' and will be heated.

Question is, I can get T8 fixtures for $35 with the wrap around cover, and bare T5 fixture for $50.

Probably use a total of 20 fixtures.

I don't consider the price difference between the bulbs and fixtures a real issue given the amount of $$$ spent on the rest of the garage and that I plan to use it for +30 more years. So, is there an advantage to buying the T5's? From what I read is the T5's will be a little more efficient, and opinions are they give a better light quality.

I would use a 4100K bulb or maybe 3500K in order to give the best quality of light. I like the 4100K, would never use a 6500K, and am wondering about trying a 3500K. The question is then, will a T5 give better quality light?

Also, the bulb cover on the T8 is that wrap around 'diamond' texture. Do they help much? I have a number of T8's with the 'hoods' above the fixture to direct the light downward but no real experience with these covers, if they help then maybe it tips the scale more to the T8's for overall light quality?

Anyone with experiences with these two options?

Ken

 

[rsanter]

T8s are generally considered the best bang for the buck when it comes to efficiency

bob

 

[JCByrd24]

For a garage in Canada I believe T8s will serve you better, and save you some money. If I remember correctly the T5s primary advantage is at higher temperatures, such as indoor operation up in the unit with several bulbs. I'm guessing your garage will be at lower/normal temps more often than higher. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[mpraddict]

T5s definitely suffer from light loss at lower temps more than T8s.

 

[ket-tek]

T5's are generally used for high bay installations of 15'+.. I would stick with T8's as mentioned are the best bang for the buck.

I had 5000k T8's at first but it seemed a little to unnatural to my eyes, I couldn't imagine how artificial the 6500k's would be. Although alot of people seem to like them..

I decided to swap them for something else, I bought a couple 4100k and 3500k to test out and really liked the 4100k the best so went with them for all 18 fixtures and have been loving it so far..

 

[6768rogues]

At the school where I work, we recently changed two gymnasiums from T8 to T5. The number of bulbs and size of the bulbs are exactly the same. Light was adequate before the change and now it is bright, almost need sunglasses in there.

 

[69Cat]

Alright, seems T8 is the way to go for this application. The garage shouldn't get much over 85F, and will mainly be around 50 to 70F. I have some T5 HO 6 bulb units in the main shop area which is at about 18' and they are great! Will be adding more there in the future as I finish the main area. I can't really see the advantage of a T5 in the 9' area I need to light but wanted some feedback.

I put a 6500 CFL in a socket once and I felt like I was in a sci-fi movie with all the blue light. Will probably stick with 4100K bulbs.

Thanks for the feedback guys,
Ken