Common T12 Lighting Rendered Obsolete in July 2012

Due to recent Department of Energy mandates, magnetic T12 lamps and ballasts will no longer be manufactured or imported in the United States. This phase-out becomes effective July 14, 2012.

Businesses throughout the U.S. will be heavily impacted by the impending T12 lamp and ballast phase-out. The National Lighting Bureau estimates over 500 million T12 lamps and ballast are still being utilized throughout the U.S.

The government is offering large tax deduction benefits which help off-set investment costs. Many local utility service providers are also offering incentives for consumers to reduce their energy consumption. Kansas City-based KCP&L is offering a rebate program currently for Missouri customers. However, with the deadline approaching for T12 regulations, the KCP&L rebate program application has been withdrawn.

“We have already seen it. But in the coming months, I believe we will see even more property managers and business owners seeking our help to maximize their energy efficiency, but more importantly replace or retrofit their T12 lighting. Right now inventories are still stocked, but as they deplete, replacements lamps will become extinct in the U.S. market faster than many anticipate,” responded Hunter Kasten, Director of Business Development at Worldwide Energy.

Kasten added, “If a customer were to act now, utility and government incentives would cover over half the cost as a result of the implementation of low wattage fixtures.”

Many business owners and property managers are unaware of the changes in federal energy consumption regulations and the programs offered to help achieve a lighting transition affordably.

“My biggest concern is one day in the near future maintenance employees and commercial building tenants are going to go and try to buy T12 lamps and will realize they are no longer available. When this happens, property managers will begin to receive phone calls and CEOs will then be made aware of the situation. By that time the incentives will most likely be gone,” Kasten said in closing.