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Re: Electricity Bill: T-8 vs PCF
> Are PCF and T-8 lights about the same in terms of electricity used? I
know T-8s are more efficient
> than T-12 but could someone compare PCF and T-8?
Going by the Osram catalogue, there isn't a huge difference between T-8s and
PCFs. T-8s do put out more lumens per watt when comparing the same
phosphor. There is however a larger difference between phosphors, and
between lengths.
For example, comparing the 36 Watt T-8 and 18 Watt T-8 with the 36 Watt PCF
and a 55 Watt PCF, measuring lumens per watt (bigger number is better) we
have:
Phosphor 36W T-8 18W T-8 36W PCF 55W PCF
11-860 90.3 72.2 76.4 82.7 6000K Lumilux 85 CRI
21-840 93.1 75.0 80.6 87.3 4000K Lumilux 85 CRI
12-950 65.3 55.5 52.8 54.5 5400K Lumilux de luxe 98
CRI
22-940 65.3 55.5 52.8 N/A 3800K Lumilux de luxe 96
CRI
If you're limited by hood length to using 18 Watt T-8s or 36/55 Watt PCFs,
then the PCFs generally win. If however you're able to use 4' tubes, then
the T-8s win. Choice of ballast will also affect the efficiency.
Unfortunately I can't make the same comparison for aquarium specific tubes,
as there is no reliable data available for them.
Cheers,
Suzy
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Suzy Jackson http://www.suzyj.net suzyj at suzyj_net