If your buildings still run on fluorescent tubes, the clock is ticking. A growing list of states has banned the sale of fluorescent lamps, a federal efficiency rule will end most compact fluorescents in 2028, and a global agreement calls for fluorescent lighting to be phased out by 2027. Here’s what’s changing and how to plan for it.
What’s changing
State sales bans. States have been banning the sale of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, starting with high-CRI tubes and expanding to most linear and compact fluorescents. Specialty lamps, such as those used for UV disinfection and scientific research, are generally exempt. Key dates for linear fluorescent tubes:
| State | Linear fluorescent sales ban |
|---|---|
| Vermont | January 1, 2024 (4-foot tubes) |
| California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island | January 1, 2025 |
| Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota | January 1, 2026 |
| Illinois | January 1, 2027 |
| Washington | January 1, 2029 |
Federal efficiency standards. In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy finalized new standards that require general service bulbs to produce just over 120 lumens per watt. The rule applies to bulbs made from July 2028 on, and most compact fluorescent bulbs can’t meet it.
A global phase-out. In November 2023, 147 countries at the Minamata Convention on Mercury agreed to phase out fluorescent lighting by 2027, with limited exceptions.
What it means for your facility
These rules stop the sale of new lamps. They don’t make you remove the fluorescent fixtures you already have. But as supply dries up, replacement tubes get harder to find and more expensive, and a building full of aging fluorescent fixtures becomes a maintenance problem. Facilities in Illinois have until the end of 2026 to buy fluorescent tubes; in California, that window has already closed.
Even if your state hasn’t passed a ban, the manufacturers and distributors that supply your lamps sell nationally. As production winds down, stock will tighten everywhere.
Your options
- LED replacement tubes. Some LED tubes work with your existing ballast, and others are wired to bypass it. Both keep your current fixtures in place.
- LED retrofit kits. These upgrade the inside of your existing fixtures while keeping the housing in the ceiling.
- New LED fixtures. Full replacement gives you the best efficiency, light quality and controls, and often qualifies for the largest utility rebates.
The right choice depends on the age of your fixtures, your budget and how long you plan to stay in the building. Many facilities use a mix.
How to plan the switch
- Take inventory. Count your fluorescent fixtures and lamp types by building.
- Check your state’s dates. If a ban is coming, plan the work before stock runs out.
- Look at rebates. Many utilities offer incentives for LED upgrades, which can shorten your payback.
- Get an energy audit. An audit shows what you’d save, what rebates are available and how long the project would take to pay for itself.
How E. Sam Jones can help
We’ve been retrofitting commercial buildings since 1992, with more than 10 million fixtures upgraded nationwide. Our team audits your facility, builds a proposal with payback and rebates spelled out, manages installation and handles warranty administration afterward. For smaller jobs, our local branches stock LED replacement products for quick delivery.
Request an energy audit and we’ll show you the savings, rebates and payback up front.
Sources: CLASP, ArentFox Schiff, LEDVANCE, inside.lighting. State dates can change; check your state’s current rules before planning.