I just use a window air conditioner in my garage, it works fine. I am in the same climate as you, so the temperature in the garage should be similar.

Yes, I think it is much cheaper for the T5-HO's, but I only have 2 fixtures for my 20 x 28 garage. The bulbs can be bought at your local electric supply. I need another fixture for the back, but the electricity cost is rather low. My friends that have T8 and T12, and they are always replacing them. The one with T12 has light strips all over his garage, but my garage is much brighter. Mine reminds me of working in Tool & Die inspection room in the past, it is rather well lit. I like it!


Jeff

Heating system will vary with your climate and which state you are in.

A 28W T5 produces about the same light output as a 32W T8 and a 54W T5HO produces close to twice the light output of T8 and T12 lamps when these lamps are operated as part of a ballasted lighting system. The nominal light output of a four-foot 54W T5HO lamp is 5,000 lumens, compared to 2,900 lumens for a 28W T5 lamp and 2,850 lumens for a 32W T8.

As a result of the same or greater light being produced from a smaller area, T5 lamps appear brighter and of course so do T5HO lamps. T5HO lamps are not recommended for fixtures where the light source is directly visible. They are too bright. However, this characteristic makes them ideal for compact indirect fixtures.

Thanks. I'm going to put a spreadsheet together to compare fixture cost, bulb cost, power consumption - all considering the light output required for the shop. Obviously if the T5's put out more light I can most likely get away with fewer fixtures.

I had been leaning toward some cheap 8ft long (using 4X4ft T8 bulbs) fixtures - probably 12-16 of them. I need to make sure they have the electronic ballasts, but I think they do.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_163723-337-8...ing&facetInfo=

They are pretty cheap to purchase, but I will do the analysis to see is best.

Well --- I'd have to recommend AGAINST fixtures from Home Depot or Lowes....


I started out with them and then when I was still wiring my dump up I picked up a couple from my commercial wiring shop and OMG what a difference!! The gauge of metal was far superior - the weight - the connector ends that grab the bulbs... the SIZE of the ballast was double!

From then on I switched to this superior brand. Guess which fixtures where the first to have bad ballasts.... Yep - the el cheapos!

But I also understand people are on budgets - and the good fixtures were way more expensive than the cheapo versions. It was just one of those things that I figured -- over the long run -- I only want to put them up and wiring them ONCE....

Yeah, i wondered about that. I even thought about trying to pick up some better made older fixtures on auction or sale and then retrofitting the ballasts to the newer electronic ones. I know a few commercial electricians. Maybe I can talk to them to see what they can come up with for me........ Never hurts to ask!

My regular electrician allowed me to buy at his supplier and get his discount... which really helped. He just didn't have time to wire my place at the time and told me to do it myself with his guidance... so that's what I did. It's easy if you have half a brain. Most of us do! Or we wouldn't be putting up a shop in the first place, Right?

I was just appalled at the difference in quality -- thus my post. :cheers:

Dad and I wired his shop and his house when we remodeled it - both with guidance though! I bought a book based on the NEC 2011 (Indiana is still on 2008), but I will use it as a guide as well.

That is certainly good feedback on the light fixtures. I'd rather spend a little extra upfront if I can afford to to get a better quality light.

I'll second the tube radiants for a shop.

Well - - if you endorse them, they must be some good stuff!! ;)

I think I'm leaning that direction after doing a little research. I'll just have to figure out the placement prior to laying out my light fixtures etc..

Greg must have big supply of T12 lighting, because it is being phased out.

My T5HO lamps produce 54W, the recommended fixture is Zumtobel is made in Austria. Total Lamp Lumens is 8800. This fixture has a diffuser, so it is not direct lighting. Hard to find this fixture in the USA, but Vault sells them. I love mine. Cost a bit more, but it was worth it. I had these installed in 2009.

If you go infrared radiant tube heater, then this type fixture will be more flexible in the design.

You can read their light study in their brochure.
http://www.vaultgarage.com/_pdf/Vault-Lighting-2010.pdf

http://www.zumtobel.us/PDB/teaser/EN...20Brochure.pdf

T8 phase out is more confusing....Depends on the series, but I go T5-HO.

http://assets.sylvania.com/assets/Do...4bce0bcbeb.pdf