Why Do My Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out

Why Do My Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out

Having an issue with your light bulbs burning out more frequently than they should be? Join the club. There are a whole host of reasons why your light bulbs could be meeting their untimely end. Whether it be a flawed electrical system, old wiring, or the light fixture itself, we’re here to shed some light on why your bulbs could be burning out prematurely. 

Reasons Why Your Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out 

While changing a light bulb is a simple task, it doesn’t make it any less annoying if it is a constant occurrence. Here are some troubleshooting tips for making those tiny inconveniences less frequent. 

High Voltage

Electricity should be entering your home at a consistent 120 volts. While it isn’t uncommon for that value to fluctuate a bit, too much voltage can result in light bulbs burning out more quickly and significantly decrease their lifespan. 

Potential Solutions:

• Use a voltage tester or multimeter to test the output and voltage. Only do so if you know how to safely operate these devices and always make sure that the power is off prior to running a diagnostic test. If this is something you’re not comfortable doing on your own, reach out to a licensed electrician to safely check your home’s voltage output and assist in installing the proper lighting. 
• Lastly, consider switching out 120-volt bulbs with 130-volt light bulbs. This should be a pretty simple fix that you can easily accomplish on your own. 

Excess Light Fixture Vibration

If a light fixture is even slightly vibrating due to a nearby compressor in an appliance or other external factors, it can cause the delicate filaments in the light bulbs to break, ultimately causing them to burn out. 

Common Examples:

• A Ceiling Fan With a Light Fixture – If you one of the millions of homes that have lights on their ceiling fans, this applies to you. When a ceiling fan becomes unbalanced or isn’t safely secured to the ceiling, the wobbling could result in the shaking of the bulb filaments until they burn out. 
• Garage Door Openers – Light bulbs in garage door openers also face the same fate. The constant opening and closing of the garage door can cause considerable vibration to the bulbs and the filaments inside. 

Potential Solutions: 

• While it is recommended that your ceiling fan and garage door opener are firmly fastened to the ceiling above just for safety reasons, doing so can help elongate the lifespan of your light bulbs. 
• You can also invest in some rough service light bulbs. These specialty light bulbs are equipped with heavy-duty filaments that allow them to withstand the extra shaking and vibration. 

Loose Connection, Poorly Installed Light Fixture or Loose Wiring

It isn’t uncommon for older homes to have loose or old wiring that causes bulbs to short out prematurely. But that can be the case in any home where light fixtures weren’t installed properly or not tightened enough. A loose wire that isn’t connecting could also be the culprit. Another issue could simply be the lightbulb isn’t screwed in fully, causing it to flicker and burn out more quickly. 

Potential Solutions: 

• Tighten all the bulbs in your home to guarantee they are all firmly in place and receiving a constant and consistent flow of electricity. 
• Check for loose wire connections. This is where the fixture connects with the circuit. Always be sure to shut the power off from the breaker before checking wire attachments. Or, if you aren’t feeling confident with doing this on your own, call in a professional electrician to properly inspect your home’s electrical system. 
• If you have sockets or fixtures that are corroded, worn out, have burn marks, or the wires are frayed, it is recommended you replace them as soon as possible. This will require the help of a licensed electrician. 

Wrong Type of Light Bulb

Using the right kind of light bulbs for different areas in your home is essential. Installing the wrong light bulbs can lead to a shorter lifespan. Turning lights on and off constantly can also cause bulbs to burn out faster. Compact fluorescent bulbs burn hot and tend to burn out faster than LED light bulbs. 

Potential Solution: 

• Upgrade some of your light to LED lights (light-emitting diode bulbs). LED lighting lasts far longer than traditional light bulbs and are energy efficient, which may save you money on your electricity bill as well. Can’t beat that!
• Be sure to compare your light bulb wattage and the rating of your light fixture and see that they match up. The uneven wattage could create an excessive amount of heat, which leads to bulbs burning out much faster. 

Contact a Licensed Electrician for Professional Lighting Installation

Express Electrical is open for professional lighting installation, electrical services, and electrical repair in Los Angeles during the pandemic. Express Electrical is taking steps to follow CDC guidelines to the letter in regards to COVID-19. We are enacting added safety precautions to ensure our customers and their home environments are left undisturbed. Express Electrical considers our customers family and wants to give you the peace of mind you deserve in this trying time. 

Express Electrical Services encourages homeowners to convert their home into an energy-efficient property. We offer superior Los Angeles lighting installation and rewiring services. Both will add value to your property and save you money in the long run. To find out more, call us today at 855.976.9049.