As part of an initiative to increase campus sustainability at UW, I did a study on fluorescent bulbs and the costs and benefits of upgrading to more energy-efficient lighting.

1. By Anna Guyton Energy Savings with Newer Fluorescent Bulbs

3. Energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy

5. Assess current energy usage and costs

6. Research differences in fluorescent bulb energy usage and cost

8. T12 lamps

9. Cut down energy use somehow

10. Save money & energy

11. Reduce pollution

13. T12 – magnetic ballast

14. T8 – electronic ballast

15. T5 - electronic ballast

16. Number of bulbs left lit 24/7

17. Safety Code – 3 foot-candles

18. Light meter results

19. T5 = 3x T8 = 4x T12

20. Under T5: 83 foot-candles 10 ft. away: 5 foot-candles

21. Under T12: 20 foot-candles 10 ft. away: 0.5 foot-candles

23. Price of labor (electronics contractor): ~$140

24. Recycling old lamps: ~$6

26. Energy usage: -3500 kW per year

27. Better color rendition

28. No lamp flicker

29. Maintain brightness over time

30. Last much longer (save on replacement)

32. Cost savings: pay for itself in 2 years

33. Long-run replacement cost lower

35. Study on other appliances than fluorescent bulbs

36. Study an entire building (offices included)

38. Longer we wait, more money lost, more energy wasted

39. Upfront costs vs. Long-term benefits

40. On the right track

41. Start small – work toward a better future for UW

42. Environmentally

43. Socially

44. Economically