Considerations

• When changing a ballast in a school building, the first consideration is knowing what building code the school is assigned. The building code is usually assigned by the county government. Another consideration when changing a school's ballast is where the light is located. For example, hallways and gymnasiums require less light than a location designated for learning such as a classroom or library. The range of light is determined by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards.
  
  

Benefits

• According to the IES, retrofitting a school's lighting can benefit both student learning and the school's bank account. Some schools can apply for an Energy Policy Act tax credit and apply it toward retrofitting their school's current lighting system to make it more energy efficient. This can substantially lower a school's electricity bills. IES recommends a lower light level for classrooms to create a more comfortable environment for students using laptops.
  
  

Law

• Additional rules for changing lighting in a school are contained in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The act provides that schools switch from T12 bulbs and magnetic ballasts to the more energy efficient T8 bulbs with electronic ballast. It also provides that each classroom has A/B switching. This allows a teacher to adjust the light level in the classroom according the needs of that time. When a ballast is wired with A/B switching, some bulbs are controlled with one switch (A) and other bulbs are controlled with another (B). The light level is at its highest when all switches are turned on.