- Will this fit my existing fixture?
- Only if your fixture takes a 22-watt T9 circline tube with the same pin base and diameter. Measure the old tube and match the pin layout before ordering. A different pin type or ballast will not work.
- Is it worth it over an LED circline?
- If your fixture works and you just need a cheap replacement, this tube is the simplest option. If you plan to keep the fixture for years, an LED circline uses less power and lasts longer, though it costs more up front.
- How long does it last?
- Feit rates it at 12,000 hours, roughly several years of typical daily use. Output fades gradually before it fails, so replace it when the light looks dim or starts flickering.
- What color is the light?
- It is cool white, a crisp, slightly blue-toned light. That suits garages, kitchens and work areas better than living rooms where warmer light is preferred.
- Does it need a ballast?
- Yes. This is a fluorescent tube and runs on a compatible circline ballast in the fixture. It is not a plug-and-play LED and will not work in a fixture with the ballast removed.
- When is it cheapest?
- Fluorescent tubes rarely go on deep sale. Prices are lowest at big-box hardware stores and online multipacks, and buying a two-pack usually beats the single-tube price.