On Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:55:48 -0500, CJT wrote:

Paul M. Eldridge wrote:
snip

I fully agree -- cooler, more reliable operation, no flicker, no
annoying hum and about a 40 per gain in operating efficiency (i.e.,
100+ lumens per watt versus typically 70 to 75). snip

... and bulbs last (almost) forever with electronic ballasts.

That's true of program start electronic ballasts, but for the most
part longer lamp life can be credited to the lamp itself. For
example, the Philips F32T8/TL800/XLL/ALTO is rated at 40,000 hours in
the case of instant start ballasts and 46,000 hours with respect to
program start; by comparison, with a standard F34 or F40 you would be
lucky to reach even half that.

See:
http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/...pdf/p-5794.pdf

Better yet, a good quality T8 will maintain close to 95 per cent of
its original light output at end-of-life, something that's just not
possible with older T12 technology. And of course, the CRI of an 800
series T8 generally falls in the range of 85 or 86 whereas a standard
cool white would be 62 (higher numbers are better). The upshot is
that you and everything else in the room look a whole lot better.

Cheers,
Paul