Across the globe, people rely on electric lights to illuminate their living spaces. When the sun goes down, the lights come on, brightening living rooms, bedrooms, and beyond. But those lights – or at least the bulbs inside them – don’t last forever. Eventually, bulbs burn out and have to be replaced, though this usually doesn’t happen until after at least several hundred hours of usage.
If your bulbs are burning out faster and on a recurring basis, there may be an underlying issue with the electrics. Let’s dig into this problem further and see what could cause it.
The Importance of Bulb Type
The first factor affecting light bulb longevity is the type of bulb you’re using. Regular incandescent bulbs can last for around 900 hours, but LEDs – famed for their efficiency – can last way longer. If it feels like you’re changing bulbs too often, you may want to switch over to LEDs. But, if even LEDs burn out on a regular basis, one of the following other factors may be to blame.
Wrong Wattage
Every bulb has a wattage rating, such as 60W. Bulb sockets also have wattage ratings – usually printed or marked on the side. You have to ensure that the bulb you use matches the socket. Otherwise, if the wattage is too low, the bulb typically won’t last very long before burning out.
Loose Connections
If most of your light bulbs last fine, but one in a particular light or lamp keeps burning out, it’s likely that there’s an issue with that particular fixture. Often, it’ll be a loose connection, like corrosion on the contacts or some other damage in the area where the bulb sits. Call in a licensed electrician to take a look and fix the issue.
Overheating Due to Insulation
Perhaps you’ve noticed that it’s only bulbs in recessed fixtures (like spotlights) that seem to burn out, while the others last a long time. In that case, those particular bulbs might be overheating, due to insulation in the ceiling or attic. This isn’t a minor issue. In fact, it can be a serious fire risk, so call in the pros to take a look.
Problems With the Voltage
This problem applies if your entire home seems to have issues with burning out bulbs. That’s a clear warning sign that something is wrong with the property’s voltage. Specifically, it suggests that the voltage levels in the home are too high (too much electricity is being used and the home can’t cope with it). You may need a new electrical panel or wiring repairs to fix this issue.
Key Takeaways:
- Use the correct wattage for a lightbulb, otherwise it will burn out quickly.
- Corroded contacts may be the cause of flickering, in which case an electrician should be called.
- Attic insulation can cause bulbs in recessed fixtures to overheat and malfunction.
“If your entire house has troubles with bulbs burning out too early, it’s a major warning sign that the voltage in the house is too high.”
Read more: https://www.schererelectric.com/blog/uncategorized/my-light-bulbs-keep-burning-out-whats-wrong/
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