Choosing the right light bulb for your fixture

Lighting fixtures may be chosen for their aesthetic appeal or their function (or perhaps both), but they all have one thing in common- some form of light bulb. If a common household lamp's light bulb burns out, it's mostly a question of which grocery or department store to visit for a replacement. But sometimes a specialty fixture such as a lighted vanity mirror or track lighting will lose a bulb and the fix is not so simple. How do you as a consumer know where and how to find the proper light bulb for ALL of your fixtures and lighted appliances? Here are some tips for finding and replacing light bulbs both common and rare:

1. Check the original packaging for extra bulbs or a list of parts. Occasionally a manufacturer will include replacement bulbs because of their scarcity in the regular marketplace. It's always a good idea to store any additional bulbs or replacement parts immediately after installing the fixture itself. If the package does not contain replacement bulbs, then look for an owner's manual or list of parts. These documents should provide some technical information such as wattage, part numbers and specific instructions for replacement. If you have the specifications, you might be able to order replacement bulbs directly from the manufacturer or through authorized dealers.

2. Ask for replacement bulbs at the time of purchase. Quite often a consumer-friendly home improvement store will carry replacement parts for the products it sells, including the proper light bulbs for specialty fixtures. Even if the bulb is designed for long-term use, a small investment at the time of purchase can save a lot of worry five years down the road. There's always the chance that a specific model of fixture will be discontinued and replacement bulbs will become much harder to find.

3. Even if the bulb is common, the usage may not be. When replacing light bulbs in appliances, make sure the new bulbs are designed for the purpose. Appliance bulbs may have to tolerate high or low temperatures, or be more resistant to the weather. Check the wattage of the bulb before buying a replacement. If the original bulb is a 25 watt specialty bulb, replacing it with a 60 watt bulb could cause problems. Replacement bulbs should also match the color of the original- sometimes the color of a bulb is vital to the safe operation of the appliance or fixture.

4. Ask specialized repair stores for help. If your bulb is not readily available at the local discount or hardware store, you may have to contact a repairman for ideas. He may already have suitable bulbs from similar fixtures, or at least have a lead on suppliers. There may also be other bulbs which can safely be used as replacements in a pinch. Ask an expert before using alternatives in a fixture or appliance.

5. Carry the original bulb with you to the store. If you need a specialty bulb replaced, the clerk may want to see the original for comparison. Many home improvement and department stores have a wide selection of replacement bulbs, so it may just be a question of narrowing down the choices. Tell the clerk precisely what fixture or appliance needs the bulb, and consider buying several of them to forestall future problems.