Lightbulb wattage..........how critical is it?

[Dave7]

We have some wall lights that came complete with bulbs. One bulb has just gone/failed. On checking I find it is just 28 watt (screw in type). The ones I have seen in local shop are 40 watt.
I know they have put 28 in for a reason but will it really matter if I use 40??
The bulbs are small and there is only a small gap between them and the plastic shade.

 

[mjr]

What does the housing say?

Can LEDs be substituted or is heat dissipation likely to be troublesome?

I would go to 30 or 32, but not 40.

 

[T4tomo]

there is normally a big safety margin built in. I'd live on the edge and go for it. What's the worst that can happen?



yep your house burns down, but let's not think about that

 

[jefmcg]

It used to be really important with incandescent bulbs which got very hot. I don't think it matters as much with low energy bulbs.

Caveat: if your house burns down, I was never here.

 

[Piemaster]

If you're intending to swap 40W filament lamps for LED or mini fluorescent, then probably not. The newer equivalents don't actually use 40W, just produce the same amount of light as one - they (at a guess) probably use around 15W. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[vickster]

Screwfix tend to have an extensive range of bulbs, along with efficient click and collect and long opening hours

 

[Adam4868]

I guess it depends on bulb and fitting,is it plastic ? As a general rule....more voltage...more wattage...more heat.Id go with the living on the edge and buy it.

 

[Venod]

But if you use 40 in one and 28 in the other isn't the 40 going to be brighter ?

 

[Smokin Joe]

But if you use 40 in one and 28 in the other isn't the 40 going to be brighter ?

Don't confuse the issue.

 

[Dave7]

What does the housing say?

Can LEDs be substituted or is heat dissipation likely to be troublesome?

I would go to 30 or 32, but not 40.

Housing doesn't say anything........can't find any details on it.

 

[cosmicbike]

Buy a 7W LED to replace it. Make sure you pick the right colour temp (3500k - 3700k), and buy branded, not cheap. Philips lamps are quite nice, and you can click & collect from Waitrose.

 

[Dave7]

But if you use 40 in one and 28 in the other isn't the 40 going to be brighter ?

good point well made afnug............possible the answer

 

[mjr]

Screwfix tend to have an extensive range of bulbs, along with efficient click and collect and long opening hours

Screwfix is still basically "B&Q playing at being Argos". Toolstation was started by one of the family who sold Screwfix and has since sold it to Travis Perkins. Wilkinsons and Clas Ohlson also sell fairly good ranges of LEDs bulbs.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

But if you use 40 in one and 28 in the other isn't the 40 going to be brighter ?

Not if he swaps them around & puts the 40watt furthest away

 

[Adam4868]

Screwfix is still basically "B&Q playing at being Argos". Toolstation was started by one of the family who sold Screwfix and has since sold it to Travis Perkins. Wilkinsons and Clas Ohlson also sell fairly good ranges of LEDs bulbs.

Didnt know any of that....ive allways used toolstation.Found them to be good on price and nothing too much trouble.Returns not a problem and to top it all you get free coffees at my local.