- Before you begin, switch off the breaker that controls the power for the recessed light fixtures you’ll be working on.
- Get a ladder so you can reach the recessed lighting in your ceiling. ...
- Pull down the trim and see how it is attached to the housing. ...
Full Answer
Does a LED light run cooler than a fluorescent light?
While some fluorescent tubes now use a different type of phosphorous powder to produce a warmer color, most fluorescents produce only a cold blue/white light. It is stark and not very welcoming. LEDs on the other hand provide all manner of different colors easily for any purpose. This is what makes LEDs so adaptable.
How to replace an old fluorescent light fixture?
Replace the Lamp Holders. Disconnect the wiring connecting the fluorescent fixture ballast. Remove the ballast and the starter if applicable on this particular fixture. Remove the existing shunted lamp holders or tombstones from the fluorescent lighting fixtures you want to upgrade. Using shunted lamp holders or tombstones for LED retrofitting ...
How to replace fluorescent lighting with a pendant fixture?
- Remove wallpaper
- Move fridge cabinet forward
- Remove upper cabinets on window wall to prep for open shelves
- Reinstall crown molding (you can read about how we did those first four things here)
- Prime & paint the pantry and the door to the garage
- Prime & paint the trim, crown molding, & baseboards
How do you replace fluorescent bulb?
How to Replace a Fluorescent Light Bulb
- Step Two - Rule Out a Loose Connection. Take your ladder and carefully place it under the light bulb you are looking to change. ...
- Step Three - Remove the Old Fluorescent Light Bulb. After ruling out a loose connection, proceed to remove the old bulb. ...
- Step Four - Fit the New Fluorescent Light Bulb. ...
- Step Five - Test Your New Bulb. ...
How do you replace an old fluorescent light fixture?
Removing A Large Fluorescent Light FixtureStep 1: Turn Off The Power. ... Step 2: Remove the Plastic Shade & Light Bulbs. ... Step 3: Detach The Metal Panel. ... Step 4: Disconnect Wires In The Old Fixture. ... Step 5: Unscrew The Fixture Box & Remove It From Your Ceiling. ... Step 6: Spackle Holes & Paint The Area.
Is it easy to replace a fluorescent light fixture?
Sometimes, you want a light fixture with a little more pizzazz, or one that produces light that's a little warmer than the cold, bright light that's so common with fluorescent fixtures. Swapping out a fluorescent fixture with a regular, incandescent model is easy to do.
Can you replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes?
Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED-integrated fixtures. If you just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct-wire, or hybrid LED tubes. Plug-and-play tubes are the easiest to install as they do not require any rewiring to the fixture.
How do you replace recessed lighting in kitchen?
1:334:53How to Install Recessed Lighting | Can Lights | The Home DepotYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProject is to shut off the power at the circuit breaker. So don't forget use a stud finder to makeMoreProject is to shut off the power at the circuit breaker. So don't forget use a stud finder to make sure the lights will not overlap a joist locate. And mark each of the joists in the room.
How do I convert fluorescent light fixtures to LED?
3:3810:42How to easily convert fluorescent Lights to LED – UPDATED! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe pop in the led light tube. And we see that it works now here we have an led fixture this isMoreWe pop in the led light tube. And we see that it works now here we have an led fixture this is actually the fixture from the first. Video. It's been converted. And it uses a single ended connection.
Which is better LED or fluorescent?
LEDs are up to 50% more efficient than fluorescent lights – so they use less energy. Translation: Dramatically smaller electric bills. LEDs usually last at least twice as long as fluorescents, which means they need to be changed less often.
How do you rewire a LED fluorescent light fixture?
1:375:13Convert, Rewire Fluorescent to Led Lights - Double-Ended TubesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis particular fixture we're gonna take and put a black wire to this bank of tombstones. We'reMoreThis particular fixture we're gonna take and put a black wire to this bank of tombstones. We're gonna put the white wire to that bank of tombstones. And when we put this bulb. In bingo.
How do you remove a recessed light fixture?
0:048:03How To Remove And Replace Can Light From Ceiling! (Recessed ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart off by taking off the bulb. And then taking out the face pulling out the face it is connectedMoreStart off by taking off the bulb. And then taking out the face pulling out the face it is connected by two clips. So just carefully take those off from the hook.
Can you replace recessed light fixture?
Remove the light bulb, then turn the casing and undo the clips on the sides of the recessed fixture to take it out of the ceiling. Leave the light socket where it is, and follow the instructions to install the converter kit. Once the kit is hanging as part of the socket, get the new fixture ready for mounting.
How to disguise an existing light fixture?
Disguise an existing light fixture by building a fabric-covered enclosure for it.
What to use when drilling past ceiling drywall?
If you encounter resistance when drilling past the ceiling drywall, a joist is present and wood screws are required. If no joist is available, use toggle bolts. If toggle bolts are required, use a screwdriver to widen the mounting hole enough to allow the toggle bolt to pass through.
Do you need an electrician to replace fluorescent lights?
Replacing a fluorescent light fixture doesn’t require an electrician. Just follow these steps.
How to rotate fluorescent tubes?
Rotate the first tube 90 degrees. Reach up, and gently support the first fluorescent tube with both hands, keeping your hands as close to the ends of the bulb as possible. You will be able to rotate the tube in either direction a quarter-turn until it stops.
How many tubes are in a fluorescent light fixture?
Repeat this process with the other lamp. Most often, fluorescent light fixtures are designed with two tubes side-by-side. The process for replacing each tube is the same.
How to test a new light bulb?
Test the new bulb. Flip the fuse box switch back on, then flip your wall switch on. See if the new fluorescent bulbs light up properly, noting that fluorescent lamps take a minute or so to reach full brightness. If the new bulbs do not work properly, you may have a defective component in your light fixture that needs to be replaced. [5]
Why does my fluorescent light make a humming sound?
A humming sound produced by your fluorescent light fixture usually indicates that the ballast, rather than the bulbs, needs to be replaced.
What is a fluorescent starter?
A fluorescent starter is a timed switch. It lets the current flow through the filaments, which are located at each end of the fluorescent light tube.
What happens if you break a light bulb?
Broken light bulbs pose a risk of eye and skin injury. Wearing safety glasses when replacing a bulb will help reduce the risk of eye injury in case of a breakage.
What to do if your fuse doesn't work?
Check for loose wires and try to reset the fuse. If it still doesn't work, you will need a replacement fixture.
How to troubleshoot a fluorescent light?
Troubleshooting a Fluorescent Light 1 Fixture does not light. Check for power and test to see if the bulb is seated properly in the sockets. Next, replace the tube or tubes. If the new tubes do not light, use a multimeter or voltage detector (at the switch and the sockets) to confirm that the fixture is getting power. If power is confirmed, try replacing the starter (see above), if your fixture has one. The last step is to try replacing the ballast. 2 Tube flickers: First, check to make sure the tube is securely seated in the sockets. Next, inspect the tube to make sure it is not burned out (indicated by darkening at the ends). If you have a multimeter tool, you can also check it for continuity. If replacing the tube does not correct the flickering, replace the starter. If flickering still persists, replace the ballast. As a last resort, replace the fixture. 3 Fixture hums or buzzes: Replace the ballast (see "How to Replace a Fluorescent Ballast," above).
What to do if new tube does not light?
If the new tubes do not light, use a multimeter or voltage detector (at the switch and the sockets) to confirm that the fixture is getting power. If power is confirmed, try replacing the starter (see above), if your fixture has one. The last step is to try replacing the ballast.
What is the cover plate on a fluorescent light?
Inside the fluorescent fixture, a cover plate protects a special transformer, called a ballast, which has preattached wires for hooking up to your electrical supply. The ballast passes 120‑volt household current to the fixture's sockets, to which the tubes are connected. The sockets transfer power to metal pins that extend into the tube.
What is a diffuser in a light fixture?
In most fixtures, a diffuser protects the fluorescent tube and softens the light. Fluorescent lights are normally hardwired in the ceiling, often in recessed fixtures called troffers.
How long does a fluorescent light last?
Most required a starter to finish the job of talking to the bulb. It is these magnetic ballasts that cause most humming sounds in a fixture, as well as the delay and flicker when a fluorescent light is turned on. They are relatively inexpensive to replace and should last 10 to 20 years, at least.
How to test if a diffuser is off?
Once you have removed the diffuser to gain access to the bulb sockets, test with a touchless voltage detector to confirm that power has been shut off.
Why is my light fixture not lighting?
Replacing Fluorescent Tubes. A burnt-out lamp is the most common reason any light fixture does not light. A fluorescent tube that is failed or failing usually has darkened areas near one or both ends of the tube. To replace, remove the old tube and bring it to the hardware store.
Do LED bulbs save energy?
UPDATE! We’ve finally transitioned our entire house to LED light bulbs (they save tons of energy & money, and they’re a lazy person’s best friend because you never have to change them). For anyone wondering, these are our favorite interior LED light bulbs. Their glow is warm & natural (not weird/blue like some of the others we’ve tried) and they use around 90% less energy.
Can you hire an electrician to remove fluorescent lights?
Note: If you’re not comfortable with this step, you can always hire an electrician (and also pat yourself on the back for saving the cost of removing the old fluorescent puppy). But if you made it this far, it’s pretty straightforward to finish the job yourself.
Do you turn off the power to a light fixture?
Whenever you’re working with a light fixture, it’s always good to turn off the power to this light at the circuit breaker in your electrical panel box, not just at the light switch. Doing this will make sure someone doesn’t flip the switch back on while you’re working. And doing it first makes sure you don’t forget about it later. If you want to be super, extra careful, you can also use a voltage dector to make sure there’s no current running to any wires before you make contact with them.
Can you shorten a pendant light?
We wanted it to sit nearly flush to the ceiling so we had to cut off a lot of excess wire before hanging it. This can be done to shorten any pendant fixture, or even to convert a plug-in light to a hard-wired one.
Do you need to spackle holes in fluorescent lights?
Since your new light fixture likely won’t cover the same spot, you’ll need to spackle any holes (like the ones from the screws), repair any other hidden damage, and also paint to blend the area with the rest of your ceiling. You’ll see us get to that later in this post, but this is an important step to make sure there’s no lingering evidence of your old fluorescent fixture!
