LED Fluorescent Replacement Saint Lambert
LED FLUORESCENT REPLACEMENT SAINT LAMBERT
Replacing T8 and T12 fluorescent tubes with LED is one of the most cost-effective lighting upgrades available today. With a payback period of 1 to 3 years depending on operating hours and local electricity rates — plus Hydro-Québec rebates available for commercial projects — the switch to LED is both financially and environmentally sound. LEDCO offers all three conversion types compatible with existing fluorescent installations, shipped across Canada.
Type B T8 LED Tubes — Direct Ballast Bypass
The Type B (ballast bypass) 4-foot T8 LED tube is the most reliable long-term solution for replacing existing T8 fluorescent tubes. By eliminating the electronic or magnetic ballast, you remove the primary source of failure and energy loss in fluorescent systems — a ballast consumes 5 to 15 additional watts per fixture. Type B T8 LED tubes are powered directly from 120V or 277V at the fixture socket by re-wiring the internal connections (single-end or double-end depending on the model). Typical wattage is 15 to 18W for 1,800 to 2,200 lm at 4000K or 5000K, versus 32W plus 10W ballast for fluorescents — a saving of 57 to 64 percent on electrical consumption.
8 ft T8 LED Tubes — T12 High-Ceiling Replacement
8-foot T12 tubes are still common in warehouses, industrial garages, gymnasiums and workshops built before 2000. 8-foot LED replacement tubes are available in Type B (direct bypass) at 25 to 36W for 3,500 to 5,000 lm — compared to 75W plus magnetic ballast for existing T12s. The 50,000-hour lifespan virtually eliminates corrective maintenance, which is critical in high-ceiling spaces where tube replacement is expensive in labour (lift, ladder) and operational downtime. A failing magnetic ballast can hum, overheat and create a fire risk — the LED bypass completely eliminates this hazard.
Integrated LED Fixtures — The No-Compromise Alternative
Rather than retrofitting existing fluorescent fixtures, installing complete integrated LED fixtures delivers the best long-term photometric performance. Reflectors and diffusers on old fluorescent fixtures yellow and lose reflectivity over 10 to 20 years, reducing useful light output by 20 to 40 percent. A new integrated LED fixture optimizes light distribution from day one, with a 5-year manufacturer warranty on the entire luminaire. For projects with fixtures at the end of their structural life (rust, deformation), full replacement is preferable to retrofit. Integrated LED high bays and LED panel lights are the two most common families replacing industrial and commercial fluorescents.
ROI and Hydro-Québec Rebates — Calculating Your Return
Calculating the ROI of a fluorescent-to-LED replacement depends on three variables: wattage reduction, annual operating hours, and electricity rate. For a grocery store with 200 fixtures 2xT8-32W (74W total with ballast) running 4,000 hours per year, replaced by 18W LED tubes (36W per fixture), the annualized savings easily exceed $2,700 per year. Hydro-Québec's energy efficiency programs offer installation rebates based on power saved. The Hydro-Québec program requires DLC- or ENERGY STAR-approved equipment.
Technical Tips — LED Fluorescent Replacement
- Type A (ballast-compatible): convenient but limited by ballast lifespan
- Type B (ballast bypass): best long-term solution, maximum savings
- Type A+B (universal): flexibility at higher cost
- T8 4 ft: typical savings 57-64% vs equivalent fluorescent (32W+ballast)
- T12 8 ft: typical savings 60-68% vs equivalent magnetic ballast
- Always verify single-end vs double-end compatibility before purchasing
- DLC certification required for Hydro-Québec rebate eligibility
- LED lifespan 50,000 h equals approximately 12 years at 4,000 h/year (vs T8 fluorescent 12,000-15,000 h)
Contact LEDCO for a personalized replacement analysis — we calculate your precise ROI, select the right tube type for your existing fixtures and verify eligibility for available rebate programs.
