Ceramic metal halide lamps offer many advantages in higher efficiency and longer life. Halogen lamps bring a great deal of illumination to commercial spaces. However, they come with a high-energy cost and a relatively short life. This can cost commercial and retailers a good deal of money in energy and labor to keep them running. In spaces where you need better life bulb that save energy, these ceramic halide lamps are the ticket. And many retailers and commercial operations are starting to see the advantages of using these bulbs. Another advantage of using ceramic metal halide lamps is their color quality. A problem many are having transitioning from incandescent is the changes in color that many light fixtures bring. With these ceramic halide lamps, you get excellent color from the start. You also find them in sizes that make them great replacements for existing halogen fixtures. This makes putting them into retrofit projects a breeze. With the need to keep costs down, many commercial and retail spaces are looking for affordable lighting alternatives that will keep their spaces lit without breaking the budget. These ceramic halide lamps are one way to do just that.
You can find ceramic metal halide lamps in an increasing number of sizes and shapes. This makes them great for making them replacements for high-pressure sodium lamps in existing magnetic ballasts. But, in order to get the most energy savings, you need to put them in electronic ballasts. These lamps offer long life and good light maintenance throughout their life span. With so many configurations available, they are great for retrofitting existing lighting schemes. And their long life helps balance against their higher cost.
That is one disadvantage to ceramic metal halide lamps. They cost a bit more than many other traditional light bulbs. However, their costs are steadily coming down as the option becomes more popular and demand continues to grow. This will likely continue well into the future. And the energy they save can justify the initial costs for many. Your best bet is to look at the options available and choose the lamp that suits your needs. Many manufacturers are making these bulbs and you can find a lamp that will suit any requirement you have. Some are pulse start. Others come with built-in ballast. You can get them in pin or traditional screw-in designs. Some are small while others are larger lamps. You should find a design to fit any fixture you currently have.
