Lightbulbs don’t last forever, but does it seem like you’re always purchasing new lightbulbs for the various fixtures around your home? Do you sense that the lightbulbs in your home aren’t lasting as long as they should be?
If you’ve answered “yes” to either of the aforementioned questions, it’s probably not just your imagination – they probably aren’t lasting as long as they should be. Rather than digging deep into your pockets to continue to replenish bulbs that fail prematurely, it can pay – literally – to get to the root of the problem at hand. In this post, we’ll share some of the likely reasons why your bulbs are likely to fail prematurely – and what you can do about it. Here’s a closer look:
High Voltage
If bulbs all-around your home are failing prematurely with regularity, you could have a high voltage issue in your home. In situations of high voltage, bulbs tend to burn brighter and reach the end of their life faster. You can easily check the voltage of each electrical outlet yourself using either a multimeter or voltage tester, which you can pick up at any hardware store. If the voltage is greater than 125 volts, you have a high voltage problem that should be addressed. Contact an electrician or your local utility provider to discuss a resolution, and your lightbulbs should last longer as a result.
Fixture Vibration
Does it seem like only bulbs on certain fixtures are failing prematurely? If so, then there could be a situation of excessive vibration on the fixture where it’s installed. When vibration occurs, the lightbulb filament can loosen, which will result in a shorter overall lifespan. This is most common on bulbs in ceiling fans or on garage door openers, as vibration is more likely to occur on these fixtures. There are a few ways to correct this problem. One, you can use a rough-service bulb instead of a conventional bulb. These bulbs feature heavy-duty filaments that hold up to vibration better. Another possible solution is to try to tighten the fixtures so that any vibrations are minimal.
Bad/Cheap Bulbs
Another possible reason why your bulbs are burning out frequently is that you might not be using the right bulbs. We suggest investing in LED bulbs for each of your home’s fixtures. These bulbs tend to last longer than conventional incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs. They also don’t get as hot and are more energy-efficient. We suggest eliminating CFL bulbs from your property. These tend to be the bulbs that most often fail prematurely. Additionally, make sure that your bulbs are high-quality and from a brand name. Remember that you get what you pay for. If you purchase your lightbulbs from Dollar Tree, they’re likely not going to last as long as a name-brand bulb from the hardware store.
Poor Fixture Fit
If a lightbulb is fitting loosely in the fixture, it can cause excess heat and a greater likelihood of blowouts. Oftentimes, you’ll notice this issue if your bulb is flickering when you turn it on. However, this can occur without you noticing as well. If you can’t get your bulb to fit snugly in the fixture, you’ll likely want to contact an electrician to repair the issue. In other cases, it might make more sense to replace the fixture. It’s worth mentioning that lightbulbs also shouldn’t be too tightly installed into a fixture, as this can lead to arcing electricity that can lead to blowouts and potentially even a fire risk.
Contact Tidal Electrical Services Today
Still can’t figure out why your bulbs keep blowing out? Then it’s likely time to contact a professional electrician. At Tidal Electrical Services, we work on commercial, residential, and multi-family properties to repair problems that are both great and small. Contact us today for more information or to schedule your appointment.
