The Georgia Tech Facilities Management Energy Conservation team made the decision to switch from 32 watt, 4 foot, T8 linear fluorescent lamps to 28 watt, long life equivalent fluorescent lamps — a decision that will save the Institute more than $10,000 per year.

Compared to the fluorescent lamps that the Facilities Management department previously stocked, the new extended life fluorescent lamps consume 12.5 percent less energy and will last more than twice as long. The Georgia Tech storeroom will now stock the new technology and will slowly phase out the older lamps on campus as they need replacing. Over the past three years, Tech has replaced roughly 28,500 T8 fluorescent lamps.

Even though the new T8 lamps cost $4.32 more per lamp, the decreased energy consumption and longer rated life of the new lamps will save Georgia Tech an estimated $10,400 and 146 megawatt hours per year. The new extended life lamps have the same light output as the older versions and will stay brighter over time. The new T8s are filled with a different gas than the conventional models and are only recommended in areas that stay at 60°F and above.