I’m in a nasty frame of mind right now, and this is what my 'tism brain decided to laser focus on for several hours. I’m mad that my light bulbs cost 10x more than they used to, and don’t last any longer, and my power bill is higher than ever.

Yeah yeah, I know, it’s probably just capitalism shitting it up on purpose for profit. And bulb science is probably solid, I guess. I’m just pissed off that I just barely managed to scrape through this pay period with $2.78 left in the bank before I default on my mortgage.

Anyway, any lightbulb science comrades got any info?

  • Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    51·
    11 months ago

    There are a few reasons it could be happening so I’ll start with some the most common

    If your switches are dimmer switches and you’re not using dimmer bulbs they burn out faster

    If your light fixtures are sealed you need to get bulbs that are compatible with sealed fixtures

    Make sure you’re getting quality bulbs as lower quality bulbs will die faster

    If your area has less than stable power your bulbs will burn out faster, though higher quality dimmer compatible bulbs will handle the less stable power better (you don’t need a dimmer compatible light fixture to use dimmer bulbs)

    I use GE Reveal HD+ bulbs in my fixtures (basic apartment sealed domes) and they just keep on keeping on and they’re really color accurate.

    I started with store brand LED bulbs and they just kept burning out and the color accuracy would be best described as vague at best. Not to mention they’d burn out pretty much every year when the storms would roll in and my power would get flaky.

    • Stowaway
      1·
      11 months ago

      To add to this if you own your home get a while house surge protector. Surges effect everything in your house. Even if it’s a small surge many over time can do enough to kill the bulb and eventually probably a fridge. Using a while house surge protector can help limit those surge. You should still use surge protector at an outlet as well if anything expensive is going there, e.g. a computer, TV, etc…

      While house surge protector are not the most complicated thing in the world, is recommend a good amount of research into installing them or hiring an electrician if you know nothing about installing breakers. The surge protector itself is probably only 100. May save you some bulbs though if your power utility isn’t doing a great job of cleaning the power before it gets to your house.