Swapping old fixtures for LED lights
LED fixtures use less power, give off less heat and last for years. When replacing old fixtures, check the ceiling box, pick a color temperature that suits the room, and use an LED-compatible dimmer to avoid flicker. Warm white suits bedrooms.
Many Rosemead homes still have fixtures from past decades: frosted glass domes, fluorescent boxes in the kitchen, and dim porch lights. LED fixtures are brighter, cooler running and need far less bulb changing.
Choosing fixtures
- Hallways and bedrooms: flush-mount LED fixtures keep head clearance under 8-foot ceilings.
- Kitchens: replacing a fluorescent box with a flat LED panel or several fixtures improves light dramatically.
- Bathrooms: a vanity light above the mirror lights your face evenly.
- Porch and exterior: fixtures rated for wet locations, with dusk-to-dawn sensors if you like.
Color temperature
Warm white (2700K to 3000K) feels cozy for living spaces. Neutral white (3500K to 4000K) suits kitchens and garages. Mixing temperatures in one room looks odd.
Dimmers
Older dimmers were made for incandescent bulbs and can cause LEDs to flicker or buzz. LED-compatible dimmers solve that.
Brightness in lumens
LED fixtures are rated in lumens, not watts. A 60-watt incandescent bulb gives about 800 lumens; a 100-watt bulb about 1,600. As a rough rule of thumb, a bedroom ceiling fixture is often in the 1,500 to 2,500 lumen range.
Kitchens usually need more, often 3,000 to 5,000 lumens in total, depending on size. Hallways need less. Dimmable fixtures let you adjust.
Integrated LED versus LED bulbs
Integrated LED fixtures have the light source built in. They are thin and efficient, but when the LEDs fail, the whole fixture is replaced. Fixtures that take LED bulbs let you replace just the bulb. Integrated fixtures often last many years, so either can be a good choice.
Color rendering
The color rendering index (CRI) measures how natural colors look. A CRI of 90 or above is best for kitchens, bathrooms and closets. Many inexpensive fixtures are around 80, which can make colors look flat.
Replacing fluorescent kitchen boxes
Many Rosemead kitchens have a large fluorescent fixture in a box or behind a panel. Replacing it with an LED panel or several flush fixtures improves light and removes the hum and flicker of old ballasts. Removing a recessed fluorescent box may leave a hole to patch; we can fill and texture it.
Porch and exterior lights
Exterior fixtures need a wet or damp location rating. A photocell switches the light on at dusk and off at dawn, while a motion sensor lights the path only when someone walks up. Warm white light is easier on neighbors and wildlife.
Ceiling boxes
Heavy fixtures need a box rated for the weight. Light fixtures over 50 pounds require special support. Ceiling fans need fan-rated boxes; see ceiling fans in ranch house bedrooms.
Our steps:
- Turn off power and confirm it is dead
- Take down the old fixture and look over the box
- Check wiring condition and grounding
- Install the mounting bracket and connect wires
- Mount the fixture and test
- Install an LED-compatible dimmer if desired
Old wiring
Older Rosemead homes may have wiring with cloth insulation or no ground wire. Fixtures heated by incandescent bulbs for decades can leave insulation brittle near the box. We check wiring before installing new fixtures.
Energy savings
LED fixtures use a fraction of the power of incandescent lights and produce much less heat, which helps during Rosemead summers. See summer heat checklist.
Garage and workshop lighting
LED shop lights brighten garages. Linkable fixtures connect end to end. See garage shelving and storage.
Closets and pantries
Closets in ranch homes often have a bare bulb on a pull chain. A slim LED flush mount, a motion-sensor fixture, or a battery-powered puck light improves visibility. Closet fixtures need clearance from shelves and stored items; LED fixtures run cool, which helps.
Under-cabinet lights
LED under-cabinet lights brighten counters and help with cooking. Plug-in and battery versions are easy; hardwired versions need a circuit and switch. Place them near the front edge of cabinets so they light the counter, not the backsplash only.
Bathrooms
Vanity lights at face height light the face evenly. Avoid lights directly overhead that cast shadows.
Disposal of old fixtures
Fluorescent tubes contain mercury and should be recycled, not thrown in the trash. Los Angeles County offers household hazardous waste drop-off events and centers.
Choosing a style
Simple drum fixtures, flush mounts, and semi-flush fixtures suit ranch homes. Matching fixtures throughout a hallway and bedrooms gives a consistent look.
Smart bulbs and switches
Smart bulbs let you dim and change color from a phone. Smart switches control existing fixtures. Most smart switches need a neutral wire in the switch box.
Many older homes lack one, so check before buying. Smart switches also need to be compatible with LED loads.
Flicker
LED flicker usually comes from incompatible dimmers, loose connections, or cheap drivers. Swapping to a recommended dimmer usually fixes it.
Lifespan
LED fixtures often last 25,000 hours or more. At a few hours a day, that is many years.
If a fixture has a glass shade, wash it before installing; dust and bugs show more under bright LED light.
How an LED fixture swap goes
We shut off power, confirm the circuit is dead, remove the old fixture, check the box and wiring, and install the new fixture. We patch and paint small marks left by the old canopy if needed. See small electrical.
When you want it done for you, our electrical repairs page lists the jobs we take and what to send for a quote. More on the houses themselves: repair notes for postwar Rosemead homes.
Need a hand with this?
Call or text (310) 628-9399, Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM. A photo is usually enough for a free estimate.
Call or text for a free estimate