The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) flips the switch on magnetic ballasts, banning the sale of numerous magnetic ballasts that operate T12 lamps. This has been in effect since April 1, 2005, however magnetic replacement ballasts can be sold through electrical distribution until July 1, 2010. This marks the end of an inefficient era and brings us into an energy-efficient green age. The T12 electronic ballasts exceed the DOE performance requirements and bring about countless benefits to its users and their bottom line.
Below is a comprehensive table of the changes:
| Date | Parties Affected | Action |
| April 1, 2005 | Ballast Manufacturers | Ban of fabrication of affected ballast by ballast manufacturers. |
| July 1, 2005 | Ballast and Fixture Manufacturers | Ban on U.S. sales of affected ballast by ballast manufacturers to fixture manufacturers for use in new lighting fixtures. |
| April 1, 2006 | Fixture Manufacturers | Ban on U.S. sales of affected ballast in lighting fixtures. |
| July 1, 2010 | Distributors | Ban on U.S. sales of affected ballast for replacement purposes by ballast manufacturers. Replacement ballast must be marked "For Replacement Use Only", hust have leads shorter than the length of the lamps intended to be operated, and must meet minimum existing T12 magnetic efficiency criteria. |
What do these changes mean? Increased energy efficiency and savings.
How do I get it? Visit ProLighting.com for easy upgrades with direct replacement of ballasts. Simply switch out the old magnetic ones for the new electronic ballasts. A majority have the exact same wiring configurations.
Why do I need it? The T12 electronic ballasts are quieter, smaller, lighter, and preform better than the outdated magnetic counterpart. The U.S. Dept. of Energy now requires electronic ballasts, is reduces your energy usage, saving you money!
The electronic ballasts are up to 20% more efficient. Do the math, in a hypothetical application with lights operating at an average of 4,000 hours per year, with an average cost of $0.08/kWh, the increased efficiency brings you a savings of $3.20/per ballast. In a commercial application this can mean big dollars over the years. This upgrade is not only environmentally responsible, this is a smart return on investment. Make your business more efficient and start saving money today! More questions about converting? Contact our friendly staff toll free at (877) 801-8406 or visit our site at www.prolighting.com.
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