Saturday, June 23, 2012

Lights Out for T-12 Fluorescent Lamps

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy banned manufacture or import of magnetic ballasts used in many T-12 fixtures for commercial and industrial applications. As of July 14, 2012, most T-12 lamps will also be phased out of production. For businesses considering fluorescent lighting upgrades at their facility, changes to federal standards for linear fluorescent lighting may help them decide to act sooner rather than later.

  
New Program Helps Businesses Meet Ban on T-12 Fluorescent Tubes
Independence LED Lighting, a leading U.S. Manufacturer of energy efficient LED Tubes, has launched a comprehensive $10 Million CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting program. The incentive covers the cost of banned T-12 tubes, proper disposal of the toxic tubes and ballasts, and an LED Lighting Retrofit Return on Investment Assessment.

The incentive is for U.S. businesses that choose to retrofit with Independence LED Tubes, which are three times more energy efficient and last three times longer than the obsolete T-12s.  To further assist qualified business owners, Independence LED provides $0 down financing programs providing net savings from the flip of the switch. The program runs through 12/31/2012.

With almost 1 billion T-12 tubes in U.S. properties, according to government data in the T-12 White Paper, the ban covers more than 30% of American linear lighting. The cost burden of the ban could reach $18.75 billion, given needs for new 'legal' tubes, ballasts, and installation - a challenge for business and building owners.

"This ban will have significant financial implications for American businesses. The 'CASH for CLUNKERS' Cars and Appliances programs made an impact, so we decided to roll out a program to our customers for LED lighting efficiency retrofits," states Charlie Szoradi, Chairman and CEO of Independence LED. 

Made In the U.S.A. 
"Now, our 'CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting' and cash flow positive financing works well with available utility company incentives and Federal tax benefits to make clear business sense for replacing T-12s with LEDs today. Since the government has not offered cash for T-12 clunker lighting, we took the private sector initiative to step up to meet this challenge."  
 
Since moving its manufacturing from China to Boyertown, PA, Independence LED has experienced over 300% growth in sales.  Customers range from industrial distribution centers to Fortune 100 companies and from independent business owners to national retail and service chains. In 2011, the Company won the Green Business of the Year Award from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. 



The T-12 Ban is July 14, 2012
CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting is a program specifically developed to assist American Business owners with the U.S. Department of Energy’s July 14th 2012 ban on inefficient fluorescent tubes.
 
Eligibility
Any U.S. Owned Business
Registration Dates
June 14th to September 3rd 2012 (Labor Day) 
Program Closing Date:
December 31st 2012

About The Program: 
CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting not only covers the cost of the banned fluorescent tubes, but it also covers the cost of proper disposal of the toxic tubes and ballasts, and the cost of a Return on Investment (ROI) Lighting Assessment. 

The program is specifically for U.S. businesses choosing to save 60% or more on electricity by retrofitting with the energy efficient American Made Independence LED Tubes over the banned T-12 fluorescents. To further assist qualified business owners, Independence LED has included optional $0 down financing programs with cash flow positive results from the first month.
   
RETROFIT NOW 
Business Owners and Operators:
If you would like to learn more about the program, please call 347-763-5006 or click here to ContactUs.
Distributors:
If you would like to learn more about Independence LED, please click here for Distribution.

THREE POINT Cost Coverage:  
Cost of T-12 Tubes
CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting pays businesses what they paid up to $4 for 4’ tubes or shorter and up to $8 for tubes over 4’.  If records are not available from the date of purchase, the program will provide current retail prices. The payment is made as a rebate netted against the final cost of the LED replacement tubes.

  
Cost of Proper Disposal of T-12 Tubes and Ballasts
CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting absorbs this cost directly. In the event that the Qualifying Business manages the installation or contracts with a third party, CFC-Lighting pays up to $.10 per linear foot per tube and up to $.50 per ballast for proper disposal. CFC-Lighting reserves the right to schedule pick-ups and coordinate the disposal upon mutual approval of scheduling with the Qualifying Business.

  
Cost of Return on Investment (ROI) Assessment
CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting provides analysis through the Independence LED Account Managers or members of the Authorized Reseller Network. The LED Lighting Retrofit Return on Investment (ROI) Assessment produces a Saving Report for review by property owners and managers. Qualifying Businesses can choose to submit the key assessment data such as the total weekly hours of run time on the lighting, the cost of electricity per kWh, the length and wattages of the tubes, and the size of the facility. See page #4 of this file for a sample Savings Report.


OPTIONS: 
$0 Down Financing:
Independence LED works with multiple financing partners that offer $0 down payment solutions that yield cash-flow positive results in the first month. Approval for this option is subject to a credit review that includes two year of trailing tax returns or audited financials.


RESOURCES:
Sample Case Study – Over 2 Miles of installed LEDs replacing T-12s
Retrofit Photos – Multiple Property Types
Technology Differentiation – 10 Point Advantage
2’ T-12 Video
4’ T-12 Video 
8’ T-12 Video
CASH for CLUNKERS Program
CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting 
T-12 to LED Tube White Paper
T-12 Ban IMPACT
T-12 Ban DOE Fact Sheet
T-12 Ban EPAct Amendments
White House Memorandum Dec 2011