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Author Messages Oldest First Newest First niceguy1129 Registered Users Posts:2 04/08/2008 7:49 PM   I live in rural KS and have two dawn-to-dusk 175 watt mercury vapor lights on my property. I've been looking for a more energy efficient option. I like the amount of light and the durable housings of the mercury vapor lights but don't care for the high electricity cost. Any suggestions? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg to replace. Thanks for your thoughts.  Barney Lowe Registered Users Posts:10 04/13/2008 10:14 AM   There are both flourescents cabable of 120 watts outputs http://www.buylighting.com/Compact-Fluorescent-Flood-Lights-s/114.htm and LEDs available Alton Registered Users Posts:244 04/13/2008 1:43 PM   Fluorescent lights used in cold temperatures may require a special ballast.  Consider LED's instead.  Longer life - more efficient. niceguy1129 Registered Users Posts:2 04/13/2008 8:27 PM   As proven this winter, we get quite a lot of cold weather in the winter. I'm not sure the CFL's would do well when temperatures go below 20 F. I'm intrigued by LED and am unaware that LED's have been developed to throw the same amount and pattern of light as a traditional mercury vapor light. Any more info on where to find this option would be appreciated. Brock Registered Users Posts:125 04/23/2008 12:46 PM   I would look at a smaller high pressure sodium, maybe a 70W would do the trick. Right now high pressure sodium is still the most lumens per watt (light out per watt) in an off the shelf item. They are about twice as efficient as mercury vapor, so halving the wattage you should still get the same light out. Compact fluorescents typically fall between mercury vapor and sodium lights. Led’s can be more efficient, but to get that many lumens out your looking a custom fixture $$$. Green Bay, WI. - geothermal heated indoor pool with a small solar setup Road Block Registered Users Posts:46 05/12/2008 7:35 AM   I have seen low temp cfls for sale. I can't find the lik right now but two years ago they were $6-8 each and would start in temps as low as -20. I'll continue to look for the link. Road Block Registered Users Posts:46 05/12/2008 7:48 AM   Not the site I was looking for but http://www.sylvania.com/AboutUs/Pressxpress/Pressnews/DuraOneExpands.htm supposed to start at temps down to -20. Another option is LED, very expensive up front costs though. Go to cree.com and you will find some partners that specialize in public area lighting with leds.
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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Appliances, Lighting and Kitchen/Bath Fixtures > Green security lighting

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