Philips 13W 21in T5 Cool White Fluorescent Tube (2024)

FAQs

Are T5 fluorescent tubes being phased out? ›

In 2023, T5 and T8 fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were phased out in accordance with the European Commission's Ecodesign and RoHS Directives. The reason is to remove the most energy- and resource-demanding products from the market and the use of environmentally hazardous mercury.

Time: With typical daily photo periods of 8-12 hours, T5 bulbs carry the average life-span is 9-12 months. If it's been more than 12 months since your last bulb change, it's probably time for a change.

Dim light or low lumen output is almost always the cause of one of two things: an old fluorescent lamp or an aging, bad ballast.

Overview. This Type A T5 LED Tube is a modern lighting solution that can replace your old fluorescent lights without hard work. It works with the most popular electronic ballasts and is capable of replacing your existing fluorescent lamps without any additional wiring.

Comparable T5 bulbs are slightly shorter than T8 bulbs. Make sure you check your existing fixture carefully because the two types of bulbs are not interchangeable.

T5 LED lamps have a longer lifespan than fluorescent lamps due to their construction and the way they produce light, with an average lifetime of up to 30,000 hours or more compared to fluorescent lamps' 10,000 hours. This means that switching to LED grow lamps can save you money and reduce waste from replacing lamps.

Energy Efficiency: T8 fluorescent lights are energy-efficient, offering improved efficiency compared to older T12 models. While not as efficient as T5 lamps, T8s still provide substantial energy savings and are widely adopted for general lighting needs.

Bad Ballasts

Fluorescents have a shorter lifespan than LEDs, but many times when a bulb looks burnt out, the real issue is a bad ballast. Ballasts house fluorescent tubes and are prone to faults and malfunctions.

Obvious signs of a faulty ballast include burn marks, swollen casing, or (in the case of “ye old” magnetic ballasts) leaking oil. If you're still unsure if your ballast has bit the dust, you need to get your hands on a brand-new bulb and replace the current one.

Every time a fluorescent lamp turns on in a cold state, more emission mix is used to get the electrons moving through the gas. That means that switching lights on for lesser periods -- usually less than three hours -- will burn out due to less emission mix compared to lamps kept on for longer periods.

What is better for growing T5 or T8? ›

When deciding between T5 and T8 grow lights, it is essential to consider your specific indoor gardening needs. If you have limited space or need targeted lighting, T5 lights may be the better option. On the other hand, if you have a larger growing area or require higher light output, T8 lights are more suitable.

States can lead the way. In 2022, Vermont and California became the first states to phase out the sale of most fluorescent bulbs. In 2023, five other states followed suit, with Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon, Rhode Island and Maine also phasing out fluorescents. In 2024, Washington, Minnesota and Illinois passed the bill.

Lifespan – The average life of a T5 LED is 50,000 hours, versus only 30,000 hours for an average T5 LFL.

A federal law will take effect in 2023 prohibiting the sale of bulbs with a luminous efficacy of fewer than 45 lumens per watt. This will phase out the majority of incandescent bulbs and halogen lamps currently on the market.