If you have electrical questions you’d like answered in a future edition of this column, send them to the Editor at northshorejournal@gmail.com, or email John directly at john@clovervalleyelectric.com.
By Clover Valley Electric’s Master Electrician, John Christensen
Goodbye Fluorescents: LEDs Bring Energy Savings and Better Controls
You may have heard about the lack of new ballasts and fluorescent lighting tubes available in Minnesota lately. As of January 1, 2026, new linear fluorescent tubes can’t be sold in our state anymore, and the result is that spaces lit with fluorescent are going to need to plan a path to LED lighting.
The North Shore still has a lot of four- and eight-foot fluorescent tube lighting – shops, offices, garages, backrooms, maintenance areas, and even customer areas have them still in service. There is no need to tear out working lighting right away, but starting to do some proactive planning is a good idea.
From a practical standpoint, there are two upgrade paths that cover most situations. The first is converting existing fluorescent fixtures to ballast-bypass, line-voltage LED tubes. For many spaces, this is the best option when the fixture is still in decent shape. The ballast can be removed from the fixture, the fixture rewired, and the lamps replaced with LED tubes designed to run at line voltage, like 120 volts. This needs to be done carefully to make sure the new bulbs are powered correctly.
The second path is replacing the fixture or using an LED retrofit kit designed for the existing housing. This is often the best long-term move when fixtures are rusted, plastic covers are yellowed, light distribution is poor, or the space has simply outgrown the lighting layout. In many places, better optics and more consistent light can matter as much as energy savings.
One of the most overlooked benefits of moving to modern LED fixtures is what they allow you to do with controls. Fluorescents were often treated as “on or off,” and many buildings developed habits like leaving entire zones on all day because it was simpler. With LED, scheduling, dimming, occupancy sensors, and light color become realistic options, and they can be applied where they actually improve your experience. The best control strategy usually isn’t complicated, but it is often a significant value add when moving away from fluorescent.
LED also brings some energy savings, but it’s worth thinking about those savings in two buckets. First, LEDs typically reduce the power (watts) needed for the same usable light. Second, controls can reduce run time and power demand, which is nice if the building is not always occupied or the kids keep leaving the lights on in the garage. The other source of savings is in the reduction in parts that fail, requiring trips up the ladder or lift. Many of the LEDs on the market now are rated for 50,000 hours of use or more.
If replacing lighting in your home or garage is part of your spring plans, please remember that fluorescent lamps contain mercury. If you’re upgrading, plan to recycle the old tubes and any mercury-containing lamps responsibly, and store spent lamps in a way that prevents breakage until they can be brought in for recycling. WLSSD, Lake County Recycling Center, and Bucks Hardware in Grand Marais all take used fluorescent tubes for recycling.
This column is open for reader feedback and questions. If you have an electrical question or are curious how something works in your electrical system, please send over a question.
John Christensen is a licensed Master Electrician in Minnesota and has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota – Duluth.
The advice provided in this column is intended for general informational purposes only. If you have specific concerns or a situation requiring professional assistance, you should consult with a qualified professional for advice or service tailored to your individual circumstances. The author, this newspaper, and publisher are not responsible for the outcomes or results of following any advice from this column. You are solely responsible for your actions.
