It can be frustrating to have bulbs burn out after just installing them a few weeks or months before. Here are some common reasons this happens and what to do about it.

The Bulbs Are Screwed in Too Tightly

You want to screw bulbs in well enough that they have good contact with the base but not too tightly that it ruins the connection. If you screw one in too tightly, it bends the brass tab at the bottom of the socket. To fix this, flip the circuit breaker for the light fixture and use needle-nose pliers to pull the tab back up.

Too Much Heat

Excess heat can build up in recessed or covered light fixtures, which burns out the bulb. To prevent this, use lower wattage bulbs in these fixtures or replace the fixture with a larger one.

Too Much Vibration

Vibration can cause bulbs to fail. This can happen in a fixture in a child’s playroom, for example. Use LED bulbs since they don’t have a filament that will break due to vibration.

The Dimmer Switch Isn’t Compatible With New Types of Bulbs

Older dimmer switches may not work with CFL or LED bulbs. In these instances, circuitry in the bottom of the bulb will quickly become damaged. You’ll need a new dimmer switch that works with these bulbs to solve this problem.

Turning Lights On and Off Too Frequently

If you have CFL bulbs, it’s important to know that their circuitry gets stressed every time the fixture is turned on. If there are lights you turn on and quickly back off regularly, you might get only one-third of the bulb’s rated life. You can solve this by replacing these bulbs with LEDs.

GVEC Electrician Services in South Central Texas can help you if your bulbs are shorting out early due to electrical problems. We offer a full range of electrician services, including interior and exterior lighting repairs, electrical safety upgrades, and hot tub wiring. We also provide solar solutions, including panels and Tesla Powerwall battery storage. Our services even include whole-home surge protection. Call us today at 888.590.7773 to find out more.

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