Practical advice on commercial lighting from LED retrofits to lighting design.

Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection is getting a lot of attention during the coronavirus pandemic. The main benefit: its ability to kill pathogens like viruses and bacteria.

Some scientists say UV products could help our economy recover and help keep public places clean and safe.

But not all types of UV light are the same.

If you've looked into UV products, you might have noticed two different options: UV-C and far-UVC technology.

Both types of products use wavelengths within the UV spectrum to disinfect air and surfaces, so what's the difference between them? Can they both be used in the fight against COVID-19?

UV products are much different than your standard lighting products. You can't just plug them in and turn them on.

There are safety guidelines that need to be followed during installation and operation to make sure the products are effective and safe.

As our country fights the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of attention is shifting toward a tool utilized only in small pockets before: germicidal ultraviolet technology.

Germicidal UV, also called UV-C, can be very effective and beneficial when it's used correctly. UV-C light can kill up to 99.9% of pathogens. Preliminary tests show it can inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

It goes without saying that we are in unprecedented times.

Can you think of another time when construction nearly came to a complete stop?

As projects start to pick up again, it's a great time to reassess your plans and prepare for the future. Ideas that might have worked pre-pandemic might not work anymore.

Germicidal UV fixtures are gaining popularity in industries that never used them before. Schools, hotels, office buildings, restaurants, and retail stores are using them as a way to protect employees, customers, and tenants.

With an efficacy rate of 99.9% or higher, it's no surprise these products are considered as an option to disinfect spaces.

But choosing the right germicidal UV fixture at the right price can be complicated.

If you've taken a look at UV products, you've probably seen images or videos of a UV robot moving room to room while disinfecting surfaces.

Mobile UV units are one of the most flexible UV product options, and industries outside of healthcare are starting to catch on.

But with prices ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 or more, how do you know which product is right for you?

Linear LED tubes have become more competitive over the years, and with that comes more options than ever. So, if you’re operating with discontinued T12 fluorescent tubes, you’re probably beginning to weigh the options for a retrofit.

T12 fluorescent tubes are hard to come by these days, but that's not to say they've disappeared entirely. 

The tubes began to be phased out in mid-2012, which we wrote about at length in our post, "The phase out of T12s: Everything you need to know about discontinued tubes."

But if you still have T12s in your sockets and you're looking to save money on lighting in the next year, there are a number of ways to go about retrofitting to LED or a more efficient fluorescent option.

Businesses are searching for new ways to protect their building during and after COVID-19. Requiring temperature checks is one of the more popular options and will likely become part of our normal routine.