Incandescent light bulbs should last for thousands of hours. If you notice that they’re burning out much faster than that, there are a few things to check before opting for electrical repair. Here are some simple reasons why your lightbulbs might be dying too fast.

5 Factors That Contribute to Lightbulbs Dying Faster Than They Should

1. Vibration Around the Fixture

Lights attached to ceiling fans and garage doors endure a lot of vibration. Bulbs will burn out much quicker when vibration jolts their filaments regularly. If you’ve noticed this problem in lights that incur a lot of vibration, try using a rough-service bulb. The heavy-duty filaments will withstand the shaking, allowing the bulb to last longer.

2. Improper Connection

Too tight of a connection will wear out your light fixtures and require electrical repair. If this problem goes unnoticed, you’ll need to purchase a new bulb and replace the fixture. When a bulb is too loose in its socket, it will flicker on and off. Loose bulbs will increase the heat passing through the filament and shorten its life.

3. Hot Bulbs

A bulb can also burn out from continual excessive heat. If a fixture is too small, it will unevenly disperse its heat and cause the bulb to burn out. Bulbs without enough ventilation can also overheat. Dust off the bulb, fixture, and socket. Then check to see if your bulb is approved for enclosed fixtures. Also, screw in a smaller bulb or a lower wattage to decrease excess heat.

4. High Voltage in the Home

If you notice that several of your fixtures burn through bulbs too fast, you might have too much electricity flowing through your home. Purchase a voltage tester to check if your home continually pulses more than 125 volts throughout its fixtures. If so, try swapping your 120-volt bulbs with 130-volt ones. If your bulbs are still burning out, you may need electrical repair.

5. Poor Fixture or Wiring Installation

If none of the above simple solutions address the problem, you may have loose wire connections. Often, screw terminal connections at wall switches and outlets loosen over time. Turn off your power and check the wires to make sure they’re securely attached to the screw terminals. A loose wire can cause too much fluctuation in current, killing a bulb in days. If it is loose, you may need electrical repairs to tighten the connections.

 

For further questions on why your bulbs are burning out quickly, contact Stellmach Electric, LLC in Cambridge Springs, PA. The commercial and residential electricians have served Erie and Crawford counties for 18 years. They offer free estimates and affordable rates to ensure that customers get the electrical repairs they need. Call (814) 282-7637 today to begin or visit them online for more information.