Don't replace a ballast. Upgrade to ballast free LEDs instead.

Why you should never replace a ballast.

First a little history. Fluorescent lights have been around for years, first the T12 then the T8 and T5. The number relates to the circumference it you didn’t know.

Fluorescent won’t run without a ballast and anyone who has been around fluorescent for a long time knows the money is in the ballasts.

Ballast cost around $35 and eat up around 10 watts of power. Installation varies but normally requires an electrician.

Solution: Ballast Free LEDs (BFL)

BFL’s are new technology and can be plugged into any wall socket (Don’t try this with a fluorescent) and they don’t require a ballast to run.

BFL are new but Ace hardware sold over 1 million bulbs in 2016.

BFL are bright and allow many clients to DE bulb from 4 bulbs to two. BFL’s only use 18 watts of power and last 20 years (50m hours guaranteed)

Here are a few comments from clients.

As soon as Mike demonstrated the bulb I knew I had to try them. I have over two hundred installed and love the light and reduction in my energy bill.

Not a day went by I wasn’t worried about a ballast going out. My shop lights are up 40 ft and every time a ballast fails I have to rent a lift. Since installing 170 BFL the light is great and the energy savings are fine but the fact that I don’t have to worry about a ballast going out is priceless.

Another couple applications of BFL’s are 24 hour lights and fluorescent hooked to a motion sensor.

Don’t replace a ballast.  Instead upgrade to ballast free LEDs.