One such solution may be that of fluorescent light fixtures, which we’ve devoted the namesake of this resource to. Known for their energy saving qualities among other things, the stereotypical depressing lights that you may remember from the past are no longer the only options available.  There are plenty of appealing styles made for all kinds of uses.

We’ve written a collection of free articles here, all of which we hope serve to aid you in your education and exploration of the world of fluorescent lighting; but we haven’t stopped there. We’ll be looking at many different lighting forms, not just fluorescent ones. All in all, we hope to teach you a good deal about whatever it is that you need to know, and we’re happy to hear from you anytime.

Feel free to contact us at admin (at) fluorescentlightfixtures.org should you need anything else.  Thanks for stopping by!

Here are a few snapshots of fluorescent lighting fixtures in action:

Flexible possibilities with fluorescent lighting fixtures

One such example of a perk that comes with many fluorescent light fixtures is their ability to bend and mold to your preferences.  Some will even let you rotate them a full 180 degrees, making them completely flexible to your lighting needs.  Varying degrees of lighting are another common feature offered via many fluorescent lighting fixtures.

However, you’ll find that dimming features aren’t usually available through this form of lighting, though some dimming fluorescent light fixtures can be purchased for a higher price.   If you’re otherwise looking for something with dimming features, you’ll be best off looking elsewhere.  On the other hand, since these are generally used for industrial and work settings, the ambiance effect of dimming lights isn’t generally sought out by people looking for fluorescent light fixtures.

Many also appreciate the presence of an electronic ballast that helps these lights to turn on immediately without any kind of a flicker.  This is included with most new fluorescent light these days.

Here’s what an electronic ballast looks like. Many believe it to be a worthy investment.

If you’re looking to dress up a commercial space with fluorescent light fixtures, you may be interested in buying a set.  One of the benefits of buying a set is the fact that they’ll often come with a system in place that allows you to switch them all on at once, rather than having to manually turn on each individual unit.

Fluorescent light fixtures additionally come in an assortment of different styles.  For example, recessed fluorescent light fixtures will create a more sleek look, and some fluorescent lights have similar properties to incandescent lighting without becoming abnormally (and dangerously) hot as far as temperature is concerned.

Another big plus in the minds of many is that they’re very energy efficient.  The lighting won’t swallow you as far as your energy bill is concerned, keeping these covers low cost and friendly to the environment.  Using gas discharge and vaporized mercury, these will definitely consume less energy than your typical light bulbs.  As a result, you’ll save money on your monthly electric bill through the use of fluorescent light covers and bulbs.

If you have a building, the benefit becomes even bigger.  Have a look at this brief video, which discusses the energy benefits of using fluorescent lighting fixtures:

Be prepared to pay some extra money in price for these bulbs, but know that you’ll experience some hefty savings over the long haul due to the fact that fluorescent light bulbs are generally longer lasting.  Some estimates have them pegged as lasting up to six times as long as your average light bulbs will.

Finding the right fluorescent light fixtures can also be integral to energy conservation and creating a pleasant light intensity in your room.  Find the right one that emits the right balance of light that you seek out, in addition to some ample energy conservation as a result of the way that it refracts this light.  Upon doing this, you’ll be in great shape.

With many retailers offering fluorescent light fixtures for sale online, you’ll come across a wide variety of options available for purchase.  If you can somehow see the light in action, all the better.  If not, try your best to rely on a combination of knowing the product specs, customer feedback, and your basic intuition.

Where to buy fluorescent lighting:

Here are a few suggested sites that have a broad stock of fluorescent light fixtures.  Since your size and voltage requirements may vary, you’ll be best suited to narrow down your search accordingly:

SeaGull Lighting has a vast array of ceiling fixtures, pendant lights, fluorescent chandeliers, outdoor fixtures and more.

Lamar Lighting’s HI-BAY fluorescent line is a great high end lighting solution, with over 10 different series that vary in size and specs.

Amazon has a wealth of options from various retailers, not to mention competitive prices and the benefit of customer feedback on many of its products.  A quick glance there will confirm this.

There are many more potential sources for finding your lighting solution, but the above three should give you a great start.

Benefits of fluorescent shop lighting:

There are two major benefits to using a fluorescent shop light as opposed to other sources like incandescent lighting.  First and foremost, the intensity of the light is extremely powerful.  This makes working conditions much easier and far less strenuous than they might be in a situation with dimmer, softer yellow lighting.

The second benefit is the fact that fluorescent lighting is usually more energy efficient than traditional lighting.  This means that your monthly power bill will be significantly lower than it otherwise might be were you to use traditional lighting.

While the use of a fluorescent shop light is clearly advantageous in a few respects, there are some drawbacks as well.  Let’s look at them, no matter how minor, as they may impact your decision as to whether fluorescent shop lights make the most sense for your situation.

Disadvantages of using fluorescent shop lights as opposed to other types:

First of all, the bulbs are more expensive than traditional bulbs, so the up front cost may be a bit higher than they would be with traditional lamps.  If you’re more long term oriented, consider the initial layout an investment that pays itself off over time.

Another thing to consider with fluorescent shop light fixtures is that they won’t really work as well in colder rooms.  If your room is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, fluorescent shop lighting may have difficulty working since part of their functionality depends upon the presence of some heat.  They’ll still work, but they may take several minutes before warming up and emanating the full amount of light that they’re capable of giving off.  You can always remedy this by getting a few incandescent lights to hold you over until your fluorescent shop lights warm up, but this may be more effort than you prefer.  Therefore, you may want to consider an alternative to garage fluorescent lighting if you live in a colder climate.  Electronic ballast fluorescent lights may be a bit more effective in this regard, and you should look some more into those if you’re curious about them.

Where to place yours:

Fluorescent shop lighting will usually hang from the ceiling, so proper height placement is integral here.  Make sure to keep it at a height that’s close enough to emanate light onto a focused area, but tall enough so as not to get in the way of your head.  The last thing you want is to injure yourself by hitting a fluorescent shop light, as the effects of this could be damaging.

Lastly, you’ll want to consider the placement of your fluorescent shop light fixtures with respect to glares.  Many people like to work near a window, as the natural source of light and our general desires to be near natural light play a hand here.  Unfortunately, your nearness to a window may increase the risk of a glare, as your fluorescent light may reflect off the glass of your windows.  You’re best suited placing these all in the middle of the room.

Products to consider:

If you’re in need of some fluorescent shop lighting, there’s a myriad to consider when it comes to narrowing down a product.  Here are a few of our favorites.

One model to look at is the Lithonia 48 Industrial Fluorescent Shoplight, which currently goes for $35.99 on Amazon.  With a nice size and offered by a reliable brand, this 120 volt lamp will light up your work area to satisfaction.

While smaller in height and width (48 x 3 1/2 x 5 1/2), this LUMAPRO shop light, offered by Grainger, has a lower price tag and may offer you the lighting you need.  At just $27.90, it may appeal to you if you’re working in a smaller space.

Lastly, here’s an even cheaper option – a $24.99 48 inch industrial fluorescent worklight offered by Kmart for $24.99. Owners praise it for its quiet qualities and you may decide that this is the way to go. This 48 inch shop light with tread plate is certainly worth considering and may even be in stock at your local Kmart.

It’s a small touch in the grand scheme of things, but a fluorescent ballast will eliminate the unpleasant flickering that occurs so often when fluorescent lights are turned on.  Don’t know what I’m referring to?  Think back to your school days (this may depend on your age too).  Do you remember the lights turning on and the flickering that would commonly occur when the flip was switched on?  Assuming you do, you should know that a fluorescent lighting ballast will give your lights a jump start, minimizing the occurrence of any flickering.

Have a look at this ballast in action to see its effect on any flickering fluorescent light bulbs:

There are three types of fluorescent electronic ballasts that you may come across.  Without going into too much detail and keeping it in simple terms, let’s have a quick look at each to see which you may need.

First, there’s the instant start fluorescent lamp ballast.  As far as energy conservation goes, this will consume the lowest amount of energy, which is always a good thing for electrical bills.  It’s generally recommended for people who don’t turn their fluorescent lights on and off too regularly.  The most energy in instant start ballasts is used up when the lights are turned on and off, so you’re better off going with another ballast type if this describes your situation.  Otherwise, you’ll end up going through fluorescent light bulbs more quickly than you’d prefer.

Another fluorescent ballast type is the rapid start ballast.  This will help your fluorescent bulbs to last for a very long time, though the energy costs will be a bit higher here.  Think of it as a trade-off, and one that’s more suitable for your situation if you’re constantly turning your lights on and off.

The last style is the programmed start fluorescent ballast, which gives all of the great qualities of the rapid start ballast, and then some.  It’s also programmable, meaning that you can set it to switch your lights on and off when you’re not around, or via motion detection systems.  Think about bathroom lights in commercial settings that turn on and off when people enter a room.  Naturally, these will save owners of these fluorescent lighting fixtures a good deal of money over the long haul.  The up front costs are more expensive, and you’re really only best off going with these if you operate some kind of a business that may benefit from these features.  Otherwise, you’re probably unnecessarily spending extra money that would be better spent on some attractive fluorescent light covers.

The need to replace your ballast may arise from time to time.  While it may seem like something that requires the helping hand of a professional, it’s very well possible to do this yourself.  Here’s a step by step video that shows you how to achieve this on your own if you’re up for the task:

Whether you’re looking for a new electronic ballast or a fluorescent ballast replacement, you won’t have much difficulty finding something available with quick shipping options.  The most important thing to keep in mind is which of these three styles suits your needs, and whether the units you’re looking at fit the size requirements of your fluorescent lights or lamps.  Look for competitive prices and shipping incentives, as you shouldn’t have a difficult time finding either of the two.

admin (at) fluorescentlightfixtures.org

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