Fluorescent Lighting Guide

Whether you realize it or not, you likely interact with fluorescent lighting every day. Whether you’re sitting in a meeting at your office, working in a warehouse, or walking in a parking garage, chances are you’re encountering a type of fluorescent lighting. Because of its flexibility, fluorescent lighting has a wide range of use.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at how fluorescent lighting works, the different types and shapes of fluorescent lighting, the pros and cons of fluorescent lighting, and also compare fluorescent lighting with another popular lighting option, LED.

What Is Fluorescent Lighting?

Fluorescent lighting is form of tube lighting that creates a clean, even light.

Here is Regency Lighting’s definition of fluorescent lighting: 

“Fluorescent lighting is a kind of technology which depends on a chemical reaction inside of a glass tube to create light. This chemical reaction involves gases and mercury vapor interacting, which produces an invisible ultraviolet (UV) light. That invisible UV light illuminates the phosphor powder coating the inside of the glass tube, emitting white ‘fluorescent’ light.”

Electricity enters a light fixture, like a troffer or vapor tight fixture, through the ballast. All fluorescent lights require a ballast, although some CFLs contain integrated ballasts. The ballast regulates voltage needed to light the fluorescent bulb.

Then electricity flows into the tubes, creating an electric arc that interacts with the gasses and mercury. The invisible UV light created inside the tube excites the phosphor coating of the fluorescent tube, creating the white light that we see from fluorescent tubes.

Fluorescent lighting is a popular option if you’re looking to save energy with very low up-front costs. The U.S. Department of Energy says fluorescent light bulbs use 25 to 35% of the energy used by incandescent light bulbs, but still provide the same amount of light. They also last about 10 times longer, or up to 24,000 hours.

Because of its white light, fluorescent lighting is commonly used in areas that need be well-lit. Commercial applications include commercial offices, warehouses, hospitals, retail stores, and parking garages.

Types of Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent light bulbs are extremely common and can fit in a wide variety of fixtures.

Here is a brief overview of the types of fluorescent lighting and where they’re used:

• Linear fluorescent tubes – This is most popular type of fluorescent lighting, found in ceiling fixtures in commercial buildings like schools, healthcare facilities and offices. Linear fluorescent tubes are shaped like a tube and have varying diameters depending on the product.
• Fluorescent bent – Fluorescent bent tubes are also fluorescent light bulbs but bent into what looks like a U-shape. These are extremely common in 2x2 troffer fixtures.
• Fluorescent circline – Fluorescent circline tubes are also fluorescent light bulbs, but in the shape of a circle. They are typically used in round overhead fixtures because of their shape.
• CFL – CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) look different than any other fluorescent light bulb. Most still have the tube shape but can be in a double tube or spiral shape. CFLs are the second most popular type of fluorescent light bulb after linear fluorescent tubes. They were created as a more energy-efficient option for traditional incandescent light bulbs. These are commonly used in place of traditional incandescent or halogen light bulbs and in recessed cans.

Shapes of linear fluorescent tubes

We are focusing on the shape of linear fluorescent tubes because they are the most popular. It’s important to note though that the shape is consistent for fluorescent bent and fluorescent circline light bulbs as well.

All fluorescent tubes get their shape abbreviation based on the diameter of the tube. To get the exact diameter, you divide the number 8. For example, T8s have a 1” diameter.

Here is a further explanation of the three most popular sizes of linear fluorescent tubes:

• T5 – This is the smallest linear fluorescent tube but may also be the brightest.T5s are the newest development among the three fluorescent tube sizes, so they produce light very efficiently.
• T8 – T8shave a 1” diameter. They are the most prevalent of the linear fluorescent tubes because they were first created as a replacement for T12s. Four-foot T8s in particular are used everywhere.
• T12 – T12s are the oldest of the fluorescent tubes. Most of the older tubes run off magnetic ballasts, which are no longer manufactured. That switch also slowed the production of T12s, but we still have some available for purchase.

If you want more information on how to read linear fluorescent light bulb part numbers, click here.

Shapes of CFLs

CFLs have a very different shape from the rest of the fluorescent family. The two most common shapes are spring (also called spiral or twist) and tube (also called pin-base), but there are also some products meant to replace incandescent and halogen light bulbs in accent and décor settings.

Because of their unusual shape, we commonly see CFLs used in fixtures where light bulbs are hidden. That includes recessed cans and concealed fixtures.

• Spring/Twist CFLs – Spring or twist CFLs have a shape similar to a traditional incandescent light bulb, but the bulb is spiral-shaped instead of round. Spiral CFLs became a common replacement product for incandescent and halogen light bulbs because they are more energy efficient. Most spring CFLs have a standard base (E26 screw base), but some may have a bi-pin or twist and lock base.
• Tube CFLs – Like the rest of the fluorescent family, some CFLs come in tube shapes. However, they look a little different than other tube lighting. Some tube CFLs have shorter tubes, pictured below. These include double tube, twin tube, triple tube, and quad tube. All of these CFLs have pin base that plugs into a socket.
• Decorative CFLs – Because CFLs were created as a replacement product for incandescent and halogen bulbs, there are a few CFLs that mimic incandescent and halogen products. For instance, we sell globe-shaped CFLs, PAR30 CFLs, and decorative/chandelier CFLs.

Once you find the shape of the fluorescent light bulb you need, make sure you check the wattage and lumens (or light output) to find the right product for your application.

If you need help, please contact our lighting experts.

Advantages of Fluorescent Lighting

If you’re looking at using fluorescent lighting, it’s probably to save energy without much up-front cost.

Because of their advantages, fluorescent lighting is the most popular type of lighting in commercial offices, hospital and healthcare facilities, schools, and warehouses. They give off a clean, even light that creates a vibrant environment.

In homes, fluorescent light bulbs are found in garages, basements, and some kitchens.

• Energy Efficient – You might see savings on your electricity bill if you’re switching from incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting. We like to show energy savings by using our Lighting Pyramid. At the bottom of the pyramid is incandescent and halogen lighting. As you move up the pyramid, the types of lighting become more energy efficient. You can see fluorescent is in the middle, but LED is at the top. So fluorescent lighting is significantly more energy efficient than incandescent lighting, but not as energy efficient as LEDs.
• Long Term Cost Savings – Linear fluorescent lighting and CFLs tend to be more affordable than LEDs. If you’re looking for a way to cut back on energy costs but don’t have a lot of money to spend, fluorescents are a good option. Some of the up-front costs may be higher, but you will notice longer-term energy savings.
• Color temperatures – Fluorescent light bulbs generally come in a wide range of color temperatures (also called Correlated Color Temperature). Because fluorescents are typically found in areas like hospital hallways or schools, you might need a very cool, or blue, linear fluorescent tube. The color temperature can be as high as 6500 Kelvin, which is a noticeably blue light color. To help you choose the proper color temperature for fluorescent light bulbs, we have a filter on the left side of the screen on our shop site.
• Longer lamp life – A fluorescent light bulb will last 10 to 20 times longer than an incandescent light bulb. In some cases, fluorescent tubes could last up to 90,000 hours, which is close to an LED life span. This is an important part of your maintenance plan. The longer a light bulb lasts, the less time you have to spend on a ladder replacing burned out light bulbs.
• Lower heat – Incandescent light bulbs use heat to operate, so they can get hot. Fluorescent technology is different, and the light bulbs do not get as hot in the process. Fluorescent light bulbs give off one-fifth of the heat of a similar incandescent light bulb. That’s less heat for your air conditioning system to remove from a room during the summer.
• Code compliance – You might also be looking at fluorescent light bulbs if you’re following building code and regulations, like Title 24 in California. A lot of state and municipalities are requiring specific energy efficient standards. The U.S. even considered energy requirements that would almost eliminate all types of lighting except for fluorescent and LED lighting. The requirements were rolled back for now, but we wrote about that on our blog. It’s always important to check building code before you start lighting on any project.

Disadvantages of Fluorescent Lighting

Even though fluorescent lighting has plenty of advantages, there are several disadvantages, too. A lot of the disadvantages depend on how and where fluorescent light bulbs are used.

For example, you do not want fluorescent lighting to be your only source of lighting in a retail store. Some decorative and accent lighting will enhance shoppers’ experience. In these situations, we can recommend an 80/20 rule. 80% of your lighting can be fluorescent, but the other 20% should give those unique touches that will separate your store and highlight your products.

• Higher Initial Cost – Fluorescent lighting can be more expensive than your traditional incandescent lighting when you’re looking at up-front costs. CFLs can be more expensive especially if you’re buying CFLs as a replacement for decorative light bulbs. However, over time the energy savings will pay for themselves. If you’re concerned about pricing, make sure you register for a business account on our website. Our business customers receive discounted pricing on all products. You can also shop our clearance section and filter for fluorescent lighting.
• Color shifting – If you look in a room with all fluorescent lighting, chances are you can look up and notice different colors coming from each fixture. Fluorescent tubes often shift in color over time. We call this “color shifting.”  Color shifting happens when chemical properties inside fluorescent tubes shift and cause an imbalanced reaction. Instead of white, the fluorescent light bulbs may look pink or orange. One way to overcome this challenge is to practice group re-lamping, which is replacing fluorescent light bulbs all at once for a consistent look. We wrote about that on our blog.
• Environmental impact– All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, which can be harmful to the environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency lists them as hazardous waste. Instead of throwing away fluorescent light bulbs, it’s important to recycle them properly. We have recycling boxes available for you to purchase by clicking this link.
• Harsh light – Fluorescent lighting is not the easiest on the eyes. If you’ve noticed your eyes are bloodshot or dry when you sit under fluorescent lighting for most of the day, it might be due to fluorescent light bulbs. This can be fixed by finding the proper fixture for your fluorescent lighting. For example, specific types of troffers can help soften the light so it’s not as harsh. You can search for the fixture you needhere.
• Some Limitations – There are some applications where fluorescent lighting will not work. For instance, in areas where design is extremely important, you may want to opt for that warm glow of a traditional incandescent light bulb instead of a CFL. Some people also prefer the shape of an incandescent light bulb over the twist of the CFL. Another limitation for fluorescent lighting is technology. For instance, you can now change the color of a single LED tube by color tuning. Fluorescent technology is not that advanced. The color of the tube only changes because it depreciates or loses quality over time.

Fluorescent vs. LED

There is a cost associated to waiting to switch to LED. Even though fluorescent lighting is relatively energy efficient compared to incandescent and halogen lighting, the disadvantages listed above make it a candidate to upgrade to LED.

In our blog, “Do you feel stuck in LED indecision?”, we address three questions you should ask yourself before you decide to go with LED over other types of lighting. We’ll use these three questions to talk about LEDs vs. fluorescents.

1. 1. What lighting specs are important to you?
   If you’re focused on energy savings, LED is the right choice. LEDs have lower wattages than fluorescents, plus a longer rated life.
   • If you’re concerned about visual appeal, remember that the color of fluorescent lighting can change over time, appearing pink or orange. LEDs also change color as they depreciate, but the process is much slower.
   • If you’re concerned about light output, make sure you check the product before you buy. When LEDs first hit the market, there were a lot of complaints about the products being “too bright.” LED technology has a come a long way, but check to make sure the LED product you’re looking at matches the lumens on your fluorescent products.
2. 2. Are you buying from a reputable LED manufacturer?
   The consequences of where you buy your lighting can be pretty significant. If you’re thinking about switching to LED from fluorescent lighting and you’re trying to go a cheaper route, be careful. Check the manufacturer’s history before you make the switch to make sure you’re getting a quality product that will last.
3. 3. What’s more important: savings or design?
   LEDs are more expensive up-front. Even though the prices have dropped over the years, if you don’t have the up-front money to buy new LED products, it’s probably best to stay with fluorescent lighting for now. If you’re more concerned about design, you probably aren’t using too many fluorescent light bulbs anyway, but you now have the option to buy LED products that can actually change color temperatures.

You might also want to think about LED if you’re buying for a new construction project. It can be a difficult task to replace fluorescent light bulbs you already have with LEDs because fluorescent light bulbs require a ballast. However, if you’re starting from scratch, you can buy LED fixtures and LED light bulbs.

We’ve had customers tell us they don’t want to upgrade to LED lighting because they still have several boxes of fluorescent tubes to use. That had us thinking about the cost of waiting to switch to LED. You start saving electricity as soon as you upgrade to LED, so how long would it take to pay for the LED upgrade and cover the cost of the unused inventory?

You can download our calculator to plug in your specific numbers, but what we found is you will likely earn payback on your LED retrofit in under a year.

Also, remember you have to recycle fluorescent light bulbs because they contain mercury. You don’t have to recycle LEDs.

Questions about fluorescent lighting

With so many options for fluorescent lighting, there are likely products that will fit your need. Whether you’re trying to update your commercial office building with linear fluorescent tubes or replace the recessed cans in your hotel with CFLs, fluorescent lighting is very diverse.

If you have questions about any products, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can click here to send a message or call us. You can also use the chat in the bottom left corner of your screen to speak directly to a lighting specialist.

Regency Supply has been a family-owned, national distributor since 1983. With sales and distribution centers across the country, we are ready to serve your lighting and electrical needs.