One of the most common forms of industrial warehouse and large commercial lighting is Metal Halide High Bays. These fixtures which are often selected initially because of their high lumens per watt and relatively low price are found virtually every where you look. They can be found in Grocery Stores such as Publix, and Retail Stores Like Sports Authority and HHGregg as well as 90% of all warehouses. We like to refer to these fixtures as the “Engineers Choice” when a new construction project is being developed. They are easy to specify, very bright and can be laid out using a relatively low amount of fixtures.
Metal Halide High Bays Are Really Not Efficient
It is highly likely that the era of the Metal Halide High Bay still being used today is not out of necessity or efficiency but merely that of imitating others. “Well, Best Buy has those lights, we should too”. The unfortunate situation is that nobody upfront considers the true reality of metal halide lighting. This reality is:
- Color shift, lights turning green and pink
- Enormous electricity cost of operation
- High priced replacements of ballasts and bulbs
- High heat loads emiting from the light fixture
- Possible harm from explosion and uv radiation
- Long start up and restrike time
T8 Fluorescent High Bay Fixtures Can Do The Job
T8 Fluorescent has been around for years, in fact you may have them above your head right now in an office! Most people do not realize that those lights used in the office can also be used to provide the high levels of light required where Metal Halide High Bay fixtures may exist. T8 Fluorescent has improved so dramatically just in the past 12 months, that these lamps can now be used for the same purpose. Using specially designed 6 lamp T8 High Bay fixtures such as those available through Synergy Lighting can reduce the electrical consumption by 54% compared to 400 Watt Metal halide Fixtures. Warm up and Restrike times from power outages is elliminated with Instant On/Off illumination. Additionally, there are large tax deductions available to those who makes this change.
Benefits achieved are:
- No color shift with aging lamps
- Improved light quality without hot-spots
- 54% energy savings
- 210% reduction in heat output from the light fixture
- 70% reduction of maintenance costs
- Ellimination of safety hazards
- Instant On / Off
The above retail store converted from MH400 Highbays using 468 watts per fixture to T8 Highbays supplied by Synergy Lighting using only 221 watts per fixture.
Installation of this Project was Performed by WES Inc. FL-EC0001689
| High Bay Comparison | Super T8 6 LAMP | 400 WATT METAL HALIDE |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost per bulb | $1.99 | $24.95 |
| Average ballast cost | $17.00 | $86.00 |
| Hour life of bulbs | 36,000 | 20,000 |
| Energy cost per year (.13 pkw) | $110.32 | $237.27 |
| Total Fixture Wattage | 221 | 468 |
| Heat Emissions Temp | 130 F | 480 F |
| Hot Spots on Floor | NONE | YES |
| Color shifting of lamps | NONE | OFTEN |
| Danger of explosion | NONE | HIGH |
| Time to change bulb | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Warranty | 5 year | 2 year |
| Color Rendering For Retail | Excellent | Average |
A Metal Halide lamp has a rated life of 20,000 hours compared to 36,000 hours of a ECO Friendly Super T8 Fluorescent. For more information view our MH to T5/T8 Retrofit Flyer, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation. Phone: (941)-756-4844
Toll Free: (877) 220-5483
e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com
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