T5 Lighting Fixtures vs. LED: Why LED is the Better Choice
Linear T5 lighting fixtures have been used to light warehouses, industrial locations, offices, and all sorts of indoor applications for years. These fluorescent fixtures have been a lighting mainstay for so long that sometimes people tend to forget that there are newer, better options. While T5 linear fixtures work fine for many applications, Access Fixtures recommends LED fixtures over these outdated products and for good reason.
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“We purchased 45 Linear LED (EPTA) lights for our horse riding arena. We had such a good experience with Access Fixtures. They helped us each step of the way from picking out the best lights to creating the perfect layout. We couldn’t be happier with the product and service.”
The Pros of T5 Lighting Fixtures
T5 lighting fixtures have several advantages over traditional T8 and T12 lighting that are worth noting. The lamp that makes up the majority of T5 lighting sales is the 54-watt T5HO, which produces 5,000 lumens. T5HO lamps emit more lumens per lamp than T8s or T12s. In fact, one T5HO lamp emits the light output of two T8 lamps. Using these powerful lamps means you can use fewer lamps and fixtures and still achieve your desired footcandle levels. T5 can also be effectively used at higher heights than other fluorescent lamps. They are also generally available at multiple color temperatures, making it easy to provide ambient lighting for different spaces, and in general produce a high color rendering index.
T5 has many appealing facets. However, as technology improves, it makes sense to periodically reevaluate our old technology and decide if something new is better. As more and more people are choosing to retrofit or replace traditional light sources with LED, it’s important to understand why.
Why LED is a Better Option
When modern technology provides a better user experience, it’s time to upgrade. In the case of replacing T5 lighting fixtures with LED, it makes sense to discuss costs first. T5HO fluorescent lamps used to be the most energy efficient option for troffer lights and tube lights on the market. LED replacements have actually been estimated to save 45%-65% of the energy costs of T5 lighting! These savings are incurred in several ways. T5 lamp life ranges from 25,000 hours to 35,000 hours. While this is certainly nothing to sneeze at, most LEDs last a minimum of 50,000 hours, with some being L70 rated at a whopping 200,000 hours. The cost saved here is obvious and striking–longer life means less frequent need for replacement. LED fixtures are also mercury-free, making them less of an environmental pollutant when disposed of than T5 lamps. LEDs also offer increased light efficiency when dimmed as opposed to T5 fixtures and usually produce more lumens per watt in general, which decreases energy usage and thus, energy costs. A lower wattage of LED luminaire will usually be just as efficient, sometimes more, as a higher wattage T5 lamp. In addition, these fixtures are usually IP rated whereas T5 are not, protecting the fixture from dust, bugs, and water damage.
What usually deters people from switching to LED right away is the larger initial cost of the fixture. T5 lighting fixtures are notoriously cheap, and justifying a higher initial price for LED may seem daunting or not worth it to some people. However, in addition to having a longer life and saving energy costs in the long run than T5 lamps, LED fixtures usually come with a stronger warranty to justify the larger cost to purchase, whereas many T5s do not. All of Access Fixtures’ T5 replacement LEDs come with a five-year warranty.
So, despite a bigger up-front cost, LEDs will save you even more money in the long term. Access Fixtures has developed a unique LED fixture designed to be an ideal T5 replacement–the EPTA.
EPTA: The Brighter Choice
Access Fixtures’ linear EPTA LED fixture is meant to replace aging T5 technology. It is sleek, efficient, and perfectly designed for a variety of locations. Read the list of features below to see why EPTA linear fixtures are a perfect replacement for old T5 lighting.
- L70 rated at over 200,000 hours
- Access Fixtures 5-year warranty
- Choice of 3000K, 4000K, and 5000K
- Choice of many different optics for the most efficient lighting
- 130 lumens per watt
- Choice of wattages includes 20w, 30w, 60w, 90w, 120w, and 150w
- Standard 70+ CRI but 80+ and 90+ available at a small additional cost
- Mounting options include knuckle mount, bracket mount, and suspension cables
- IP67 – Dustproof, bug-proof, waterproof and perfect for dirty and wet locations
Need a Photometric Analysis for Your Project?
A photometric analysis is a computer simulation of a particular project. Whether using these fixtures to illuminate a parking lot, athletic field, rail yard, dock, or something else entirely, a photometric analysis is an easy way to quantify your light levels before making a big purchase. This service will provide average footcandles, max/min (uniformity) ratios, minimum footcandles, light trespass levels, and more. When the report(s) are generated, a lighting specialist will walk you through them, page by page, so you know exactly what you will be receiving. Call us at 800-468-9925 or email [email protected] for more information about ordering a photometric analysis for your project.
Ready to Order an EPTA Linear LED Fixture or Speak to a Lighting Specialist?
If you need some additional information about this fixture, give us a call at 800-468-9925. Of course, you can place your order online, right here, but our team is available to answer any questions that may come up. Does your project require multiple fixtures? Ask us about quantity discounts. We are here to provide anything you need to purchase fixtures and illuminate your project with confidence.