Exit signs are on all the time: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While incandescent lamps are often used in exit lights, there are much more energy efficient alternatives that should be considered. Many exit lights use two incandescent lamps-generally 15 to 25 watts or higher. Life expectancy of the lamps varies from 750 hours (for a typical incandescent lamp) to more than 5000 hours (for a T-6 exit lamp).

Exit sign conversion kits are available to replace incandescent lamps with a fluorescent lamp and ballast. The fluorescent replacement will extend lamp life to 7,500+ hours and reduce lamp wattage to 8 watts, without significantly lowering the illumination level. There are some kits available with two fluorescent lamps -- one on-line and one providing backup when the first one burns out. Some fire codes require that a two-lamp backup system be used. The figure shown shows the fluorescent replacement kit installed.