Your team of highly rated electricians in Santa Cruz!

Electrical Blog

Schedule Service

hand holding led bulb

Why You Need to Choose the Right Wattage for Light Bulbs

It’s important to always make sure that you choose the correct wattage for your home’s lightbulbs. This will ensure that they work properly. Here are a few of the most important reasons why.

Improved Safety

Using the right wattage in all of your light fixtures will help to reduce your fire risk. In fact, electrical fires are quite common, and using the right type of light bulbs is essential when it comes to lowering your fire risk. Here are a few reasons why using the right size light bulb can improve your safety.

Wires Can Melt

If wires in your house melt, it can lead to the ignition of a fire. Using the incorrect wattage can stress the wire running from the outlet to your lamp. If you’re using an in-ceiling light fixture, the wires will be in the ceiling, and these lines create a particularly serious fire hazard if the coating melts.

Damage to the Fixture Itself

Damage to the lighting fixture itself can lead to an increased fire risk. In addition, this type of damage can prevent the fixture from working even after the bulb is changed.

Reduced Environmental Impact

Using the right wattage will increase the lifespan of bulbs and lighting fixtures. As a result, there will be fewer used bulbs and malfunctioning fixtures to throw away, which will reduce the amount of waste your household produces.

Reduced Electric Bills

Using the correct wattage will reduce the amount of strain on your lighting fixtures. This will make them more efficient, which can somewhat lower your energy expenses.

Improved Bulb and Fixture Longevity

Light bulbs and fixtures will last longer if you use the right lightbulbs. This will help to reduce the amount of money that you spend on bulbs, lamps, and other lighting supplies.

Better Ambiance

Using the right lightbulb wattage will help to improve your home’s ambiance. This is because the right wattage lightbulbs will be able to generate the maximum amount of light possible without running the risk of flickering and other lighting disturbances.

Know the Maximum Wattage of Light Fixtures

Every lamp and in-ceiling light fixture will have a maximum wattage listed on it. You’ll be able to check this to determine the largest light bulb size that you can use. This maximum size applies to both incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs.

Give Us a Call!

If you need to put in new light bulbs, it’s important to get the correct wattage. If you’re unsure what wattage you need, you may require the services of an experienced electrician. So, if you live in Santa Cruz, CA and have questions about bulbs or LED lighting, then get in touch with Fisher Electric today!

Our local electricians are standing by to provide the highest level electrical services in Santa Cruz. Call 831-400-5032.