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Avista representative discusses lighting efficiency

Jerry Wright from Avista spoke as the guest speaker at the regular membership meeting for the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 15. The main focus of his presentation dealt with the current incentives for T12 fluorescent tube conversions.

Most T12 bulbs are used commercially and can be found in the majority of businesses in the area. Avista is currently offering incentives for all T12 fluorescent bulbs to be replaced with the more energy efficient T8 fluorescents.

T12s are a common fluorescent light used commercially and usually come in lengths of four or eight feet. The “12” refers to the diameter of the tube, being 12 eighths of an inch, or one and half inches.

As of July 14 of this year, it is illegal for customers to purchase T12 fluorescents and the incentives for the replacement of the bulbs ends on Dec. 31 of this year. The rebate for the replacement of a T12 to a T8 has gone from $20 to $64 this year.

“The T8 is three tubes while T12 is four tubes. The T8 quality of light is better and the light flickers are eliminated,” said Wright.

Wright also explained that the T8 produces the same amount of light as the T12, but it uses less energy and has a longer expectancy of about 100,000 hours because of the ballasts the tube connects too. Wright encouraged business owners to purchase new lights now because there is a shortage in parts or an increase in prices.

Any T8s that were installed in the late 1990s or early 2000s also need to be replaced due to the fact they do not meet energy codes. Wright encourages business owners to contact their local electrician or Avista about the changes that need to be made in the business.

Wright discussed other lightings that may be inefficient, either in the home or the office. A main focus was the standard incandescent bulb frequently used in homes.

Incandescent bulbs typically use a lot of energy because the bulb turns the energy into heat instead of light. Wright encouraged consumers to purchase a compact fluorescent bulb because they use less energy, have a longer lifespan and reduce cooling costs.

LED bulbs are also an excellent choice for energy saving bulbs, but the cost of bulbs is generally very expensive. Wright said that LED bulbs last about 50,000 hours and do not get warm, but acknowledged the high price of the bulbs being a deterrent for consumers.

Wright reminded the audience to always verify that the bulb they are purchasing is always the correct substitution. He also warned against buying foreign bulbs and instead stick with purchasing Energy Star approved bulbs.

For a complete list of incentives or energy saving tips, visit the Avista website at http://avistautilities.com. For any questions regarding workplace or household lighting, contact the local representative, Jerry Wright, at 509-495-4112 or by e-mail at [email protected].

 

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