So, you are working in your office, reading material at your desk and the light above your head burns out – again. Or you are reading a recipe on how to bake a pie, but your kitchen light keeps flickering, making it difficult to read the butter portion.
No matter what you are doing at the time, burnt out, fading, or flickering light bulbs are inconvenient, especially if you recently changed that bulb and it STILL won’t work.
Why do my lightbulbs burn out quickly?
Reasons and Remedies to Burnt Out or Flickering Lights
There are multiple reasons why a light bulb would not reach its rated lifespan. Often times, it is due to how we use the bulb or poor electrical connections. Remember that lifespan really depends on the type of bulb used and the quality of the bulb.
Usage
We’ve all heard our parents say, “Do you live in a barn? Turn off the light!” That is for a reason. Obviously, the more we use a bulb, the quicker it will expire. The living room light that you use for multiple hours a day will burn out much quicker than the one in your closet. This is especially true if you are constantly turning the bulb on and off.
Remedy: To stave off premature burn out, be sure to turn off lights when they are not in use. This will limit the number of lifespan hours they consume when you are away.
Improper Connection
Screwing in a light bulb is easy, right? While it should be, if you screw it in too tightly, you can compress the socket tabs too much, breaking the connection to the electrical current. Conversely, if you screw the bulb in too loosely, the tabs are not compressed enough that the electrical current cannot travel to the bulb effectively, causing the light to flicker.
Remedy: Test your lightbulb. Tighten the connection when you notice it flickering and loosen it if it begins to fade. The key is to find the perfect sweet spot.
Incompatibility
Many modern homes and offices use dimming switches to make light stronger or weaker. While this ability may be convenient, it is not so when the dimmer switch is incompatible with the bulb. Incandescent dimming switches won’t work with LED lighting, and vice versa. Also, some bulbs just don’t have the ability to dim.
It could also be that your current switches, dimmer or no, are faulty or worn down due to normal wear and tear from old age.
Remedy: Pay careful attention to the types of bulbs you use in dimmers. Make sure they have the ability to dim and are compatible with your particular switch. If your switches are worn down, replace them.
Loose Wiring
If you can’t find a reason that your light bulbs keep giving out, it may be that you have loose wiring in your walls due to the wiring not being installed correctly or just due to it being extremely old. Loose wiring is often accompanied by flickering lights that you cannot find a reason for.
Remedy: Loose wiring is a common fire hazard, so it is important to take action quickly. If you suspect that you may have loose or faulty wiring, contact your local electrician to take a look.
Overloaded Circuit
Often times, when we have multiple things or large units plugged in that take a lot of power, it can cause our lights to flicker. It may not happen right away, but as more electricity is used than your circuit is capable of handling, other elements such as our lights can feel the drain.
Remedy: First, check your circuit breaker by turning each load on and off. This can narrow down where the drain is coming from. Then, either unload the circuit by powering down the draining appliance or contact an electrician to strengthen the power of your circuit.
Recap
All light bulbs will eventually burn out; it is a part of everyday life. However, they should not burn out prematurely. Pay attention to the lifespan rating on your bulb as this will tell you if the burn out is premature or not. If you suspect any loose wiring or failing circuits, it is important to reach out to your local electrician to ensure your home is safe from potential fire hazards or failing electrical currents.
Turn to an Electrician Near You
If you have questions about your electrical service and are having issues, Bratcher Electric in Wayne can help! Our electrical services cover all bases from new home wiring and code upgrades to service maintenance and upgrades as well as back up power systems. We have proudly served homes and businesses in Michigan since 1956!