Need to add some lighting. T8 or T12?
Probably going with 2-tube 4 footers.

Definitely T8 bulbs with electronic ballasts!

I upgraded the lights in my garage shop earlier this year:

http://www.watsondiy.com/20160201-shoplights.htm

I already had four T8 fluorescent fixtures that I installed when I built
the garage. So, I just added six more fluorescent fixtures.

I switched most of the lights in our house to LED, so I was hoping to use
LED fixtures in the garage too. Unfortunately, the equivalent LED shop
lights put out less light (fewer lumens), and cost twice as much as
fluorescent fixtures. So I stayed with the fluorescent lights.

LED bulbs should last longer, but my fluorescent bulbs were still working
fine after 16 years. So the longer life didn't make much difference to me.

LED bulbs use less energy, but my shop lights are usually on 10-20 hours a
month at most. So any power savings would be so minimal it wasn't worth the
additional cost.

LED fixtures can "appear" brighter, but that's usually just because the
light is whiter. The actual lumen output is usually lower.

You can buy fluorescent bulbs in various color ratings too.

3000K "Warm White" bulbs have reddish tint that mimics a standard
incandescent bulb.

6000K "Daylight" bulbs have a bluish tint that can make the light appear
brighter. But I find them to be a little too blue and cold feeling.

I opted for 5000K "Natural" bulbs which seem just about perfect. Not too
orange, and not too blue. Just a nice bright white light.

Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com