Why would you think the lighting is better? T5s are the same as CFs, just folded. Seeing the wattage is actually lower than a T8 any electronic T8 ballast will drive these lamps. The difference is the efficiency of the bulb itself, more light for same wattage, that's a far better option than CFs IMO if you already have a T8 fixture with electronic ballast, just change bulbs and away you go. You'd be surprised just how similar T8, CF and T5 ballasts really are, I've been playing around with a couple ballasts lately and I'm running CFs off T8 ballasts without any problems at all so far.
I think this is a great solution for those who have existing fixtures, I will try them myself in my overdriven fixture as soon as the bulbs need replacing.
Giancarlo Podio |