My experience mirrors yours, except for the finishing part. I decided to experiment with one fixture seeing as T-12 production ends this month. I bought an advance ballast and i think Philips T-8 6000K 84 CRI tubes. I found it easy to switch out and made a WORLD of perceived difference. I gave all the fixtures in working spaces the same treatment. 'Brighter' light and use about 30% less electricity checked via ammeter. Except for initial outlay what's not to like?