Ceiling fan bulbs...why don't they last

[Drdogface]

We have two ceiling fans, each with four lights, in our home. We use the smaller clear 40w bulbs but they seem to burn out incredibly fast, and are pretty spendy as well. I know I need to find a source for these in bulk but am perplexed by their short life span. It does not seem to matter whether we have the fan on or not...this time of year we have not used them in months, and they burn out after only a few weeks. One fan has a dimmer...the other does not. I'm not sure what brands I've been using but tried several with the same result. The specs on the fans specify the use of 40 watt bulbs, BTW. The one with the dimmer does seem to burn out more bulbs but we use it more often too. Other bulbs in the house last for years.

I will NOT use CFL's if I can help it but may try LED's if I can find ones that broadcast light and are dim-able. They are really expensive but should at least last a while.

Anyone have the same problem....or solved it ?

[Gogar]

I have the same prob in my kitchen fan; I gave up and started using regular cheapo bulbs. Haven't tried CFLs, and I imagine you'd hate LEDs just as much as CFLs.

[look 171]

I just think they are cheap bulbs. I encounter the same problem last year. We bought some Home Depot bulbs for a guy who was flipping this house. Most only lasted 2 days.

[scottbombedout]

What I normally find with ordinary lamps is they last longer if they are pointing upwards. The heat dissipates from them better and they overheat quicker pointing downwards.

Perhaps the oscillating fan is causing them to move, they will blow quicker if they are receiving a jolt. Maybe the fan needs balancing?

A good dimmer should improve the life of the lamp. We always use soft start dimmers that bring the lamp up slowly.

And the number one bain of my life is cheap lamps. The older ones had inline fused caps. When the lamps blew the circuit breakers didnt trip.

[turbo6bar]

There are bulbs advertised for base-up use in ceiling fans. I know they made regular incandescent bulbs like this, but I have no idea about CFLs or the small base bulbs.

[Macroni]

check that the fans are operating smoothly............ vibration kills bulbs

[daepp]

They make garage-door-opener bulbs that have stronger filaments because of the shaking they take. Is your fan balanced? Could it be that they are getting shaken too much.

Hijack - I have a stationary fixture that house three lamps in three equidistant sockets. The same bulb always burns out, and I am at a complete loss to say why. They are all identical to the eye - the other two have not burned out in the three years since installation!!!

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by turbo6bar

There are bulbs advertised for base-up use in ceiling fans. I know they made regular incandescent bulbs like this, but I have no idea about CFLs or the small base bulbs.

I do, they die early as well..

Thanks scottbombedout, sounds like you answered the question I too was wondering about fans & dead lights..

[Drdogface]

Fan vibration I know about but we don't ever use the fan in the winter. Scott...your theory makes sense. Yes, in the past I've noticed that CFL's don't last like they say...and are expensive.

If they don't change that stupid A$$ law banning incandescent bulbs we'll all be f***'d in a couple years....but that's another thread.

[island911]

vibration aside, it's (over) voltage that kills the filament.

As Scott says; A good dimmer should improve the life of the lamp. ..although, a not so good dimmer can induce a vibration in the filament (not good).

[EarlyPorsche]

You may not love this explanation but higher priced bulbs do actually come off better production lines. My family has been in the lighting industry for 30+ years and there are manufacturers that sell bulbs you can count on running for years. I own some bulbs that are used for a couple hours a day and have been in service in the same socket for almost 15 years! A quick tip though - with the standard incandescent bulb, make sure you get a higher wattage, but no higher than the socket can withstand, if you want the longest life. First read the fixture to see what the max size bulb it can handle, and if you can afford the energy, install that size and you should see an increase in life over whatever smaller bulb you were running (note: only applies to filament bulbs).

[VINMAN]

Vibration.

[red-beard]

Try and find heavy duty filaments or ones designed for near fans. They have a thicker filament which will last longer.

[RWebb]

shop light bulbs

LEDs have the additional benefit that you'll never have to get the ladder out and climb on it again

[porsche4life]

I have CFLs in both of my fans.... Not a problem....

[RWebb]

disposal hazards & breaking hazards from CFL are both small

so.... why not?

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Macroni

check that the fans are operating smoothly............ vibration kills bulbs

Bingo!

The filiment does not like vibration and goes out A LOT faster in anything that is not steady.

[A930Rocket]

Workshop or garage door opener bulbs for the win...

[tcar]

Are you buying the bulbs made specifically for ceiling fans? It will say that on the package.

Garage door bulbs should work ok, too.

[billjam]

Not a ceiling fan bulb, but I had same problem - one bulb kept blowing every few months.
I asked BIL who is an electrician why this would happen and he said it was usually due to loose neutral wire connection somewhere in the circuit.

I tightened up the connections at the light socket and in the switch and bulb has been OK for at least two years now.

Another way to help the bulbs last a bit longer is to use one rated for a slightly higher voltage. In Aus, our standard voltage is 240V, but you can get bulbs rated at 260V. They last much longer in "difficult" situations like ceiling fans and portable worklights.