Author Topic: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights  (Read 5459 times)

jeromedawg

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Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« on: April 18, 2017, 05:31:46 PM »
Hey guys, looking for advice on replacing a vanity light fixture that takes uses SIX individual 60w globe lights. Doesn't seem very power-efficient... then again, we tend not to leave our bathroom lights on. Either way, I've never really liked the look of it.

Any suggestions on replacement vanities that are less power-consuming and perhaps a little more aesthetically pleasing?


RetiredAt63

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2017, 06:11:34 PM »
My bathroom has a similar fixture.  I use CFLs in summer, they look the same as a frosted vanity bulb.  Something like this, I got mine at the local hardware store.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-22114-Vanity-Globe-3-pack/dp/B004CKVLL6

In winter I use real frosted vanity bulbs, because they warm up the bathroom a bit when the rest of the house is cool.

Dollar Slice

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2017, 06:22:12 PM »
You can get globe lights in LED now, that will save a ton of electricity and the light is much nicer than CFL.

When I moved into my current apartment the bathroom had particularly nasty-colored CFLs over the mirror (very harsh blue-white) and I would always just use the overhead light instead. I had a guest (who happens to have a chronic illness) come by and after she went to the restroom to freshen up she came out looking kind of shaken. I asked if she was OK and she said "Well, I mean I thought I've been doing better lately, and I didn't think this trip would be too hard for me, but I just saw myself in the mirror and I look like I've got one foot in the grave!" She'd used those awful CFLs, of course. I had to take her back in and show her how she looked under normal lights and then she felt better. :-)  I switched them out for dimmer, warmer LEDs and now the lighting is lovely and the whole line of bulbs only uses 9W.

Frankies Girl

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2017, 06:39:53 PM »
You can get globe lights in LED now, that will save a ton of electricity and the light is much nicer than CFL.

When I moved into my current apartment the bathroom had particularly nasty-colored CFLs over the mirror (very harsh blue-white) and I would always just use the overhead light instead. I had a guest (who happens to have a chronic illness) come by and after she went to the restroom to freshen up she came out looking kind of shaken. I asked if she was OK and she said "Well, I mean I thought I've been doing better lately, and I didn't think this trip would be too hard for me, but I just saw myself in the mirror and I look like I've got one foot in the grave!" She'd used those awful CFLs, of course. I had to take her back in and show her how she looked under normal lights and then she felt better. :-)  I switched them out for dimmer, warmer LEDs and now the lighting is lovely and the whole line of bulbs only uses 9W.

+1

Just picked up some lovely warm LEDs that look just like normal globe lights for a ceiling fan light in our main living area. They're wonderful and supposed to last 7+ years and be like a billion times more energy efficient.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2017, 02:08:27 PM by Frankies Girl »

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2017, 06:45:23 PM »
You can get globe lights in LED now, that will save a ton of electricity and the light is much nicer than CFL.

When I moved into my current apartment the bathroom had particularly nasty-colored CFLs over the mirror (very harsh blue-white) and I would always just use the overhead light instead. I had a guest (who happens to have a chronic illness) come by and after she went to the restroom to freshen up she came out looking kind of shaken. I asked if she was OK and she said "Well, I mean I thought I've been doing better lately, and I didn't think this trip would be too hard for me, but I just saw myself in the mirror and I look like I've got one foot in the grave!" She'd used those awful CFLs, of course. I had to take her back in and show her how she looked under normal lights and then she felt better. :-)  I switched them out for dimmer, warmer LEDs and now the lighting is lovely and the whole line of bulbs only uses 9W.

Yea I was considering this - how much does a single light run for though?

Dollar Slice

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2017, 07:17:33 PM »

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2017, 08:06:57 PM »
Looks like $14 for three of them at Home Depot... not too bad. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-60W-Equivalent-Daylight-Frosted-G25-Globe-LED-Light-Bulb-3-Pack-465831/300320216

Nice! I didn't even consider the frosted ones but will think about it...

Dollar Slice

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2017, 08:18:29 PM »
Looks like $14 for three of them at Home Depot... not too bad. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-60W-Equivalent-Daylight-Frosted-G25-Globe-LED-Light-Bulb-3-Pack-465831/300320216

Nice! I didn't even consider the frosted ones but will think about it...

They have clear ones, too!

Morning Glory

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2017, 08:41:41 PM »
I just stuck CFLs in mine. LEDs were more expensive then. Also I only have 3 of my 5 screwed in all the way, so I don't get blinded when I wake up.

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2017, 09:49:13 PM »
Looks like $14 for three of them at Home Depot... not too bad. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-60W-Equivalent-Daylight-Frosted-G25-Globe-LED-Light-Bulb-3-Pack-465831/300320216

Nice! I didn't even consider the frosted ones but will think about it...

They have clear ones, too!

Looks like it's a few bucks more for the clears. Not sure I care what they are for that matter LOL. The soft whites are actually the cheapest of them all at $12.97. I guess it just depends on if I want the warmer yellow/orangish in soft white vs the purer white of daylights.

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2017, 10:25:19 PM »
BTW, speaking of soft white vs daylight, generally where do you guys put each? Seems daylights are pretty good in bathrooms and kitchens where soft whites go well in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms?

I'm looking at getting some brighter LEDs for our candelabra above our dining room table (the dining room and living room are a combined large space). There's a blue color accented wall right next to the dining table as well and I've read that cool whites/daylight goes better against that type of color (http://blog.batteriesplus.com/2014/psychology-of-lighting). Currently it feels very dim in the dining area. The candelabra currently has a combination of 2x 25w and 3x 40w lights in it (my dad for some reason only bought one 3-pk of 40ws and put them in..:T) - would 60w and daylight improve this? Should we stick with 60w soft whites? Home Depot/Lowes takes back opened bulbs right?

« Last Edit: April 18, 2017, 10:27:15 PM by jplee3 »

Ecky

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2017, 08:17:39 AM »
I just installed a vanity fixture for a friend, and it came with 4x 100w incandescent bulbs. We almost immediately replaced them with LED bulbs. Home Depot had some identical-looking "40w replacement" LED bulbs for about ~$1 each, and subjectively they're just as bright as the 100's they replaced. Almost too bright, in fact. I think if I were to do it again, I'd probably get "25w replacement" LEDs for the sockets.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2017, 10:22:34 AM »
BTW, speaking of soft white vs daylight, generally where do you guys put each? Seems daylights are pretty good in bathrooms and kitchens where soft whites go well in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms?
I'm a "2700k everywhere" kinda person myself.

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2017, 11:06:59 AM »
BTW, speaking of soft white vs daylight, generally where do you guys put each? Seems daylights are pretty good in bathrooms and kitchens where soft whites go well in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms?
I'm a "2700k everywhere" kinda person myself.

I see what you mean. We have T4 LED tubes (replacing fluorescents) in our bathroom and it's super daylight white - at first it was weird but we've gotten used to it and appreciate it. The second bathroom with the vanity lighting just feels *weird* - I don't know maybe it's the soft white lighting in there but it just feels *too* warm. I placed a pickup order for the daylight G25s so I'll see how we like them later. Also ended up getting a couple 3-packs of 60w soft white candelabra bulbs so we'll see if that improves the situation in the dining area.

Ecky

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2017, 01:57:03 PM »
I personally like 3000k when I can find them.

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #15 on: April 19, 2017, 02:03:45 PM »
There are tons of vanity fixtures with 3 or more lights that could replace Hollywood-style strip lights.  Example here:  http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-3-Light-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Vanity-Light-WB1001-VF/205741053

For energy efficiency, definitely look at the LED bulbs on the warmer end of the spectrum.  Cool or daylight bulbs will make you look like death.  Humans find warmer light much more appealing due to its similarity to fire- and candle-light.  IMHO, the cooler bulbs are just way too harsh for at-home use.   

acroy

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #16 on: April 19, 2017, 02:11:16 PM »
Well, you could replace the whole darn thing; or as others have said, replace the bulbs with frosted LEDs

One other option: retain the stone age incandescent, but install a nice dimmer. I've done this in a few areas: bathroom, wet bar, accent light over the fireplace. It's nice to go in the bathroom, first thing in the am, and turn on the lights real low  - wake up a bit. Dim lights can be a nice accent, use way less electricity (reduce perceived output by 10% saves something like 50% iirc) and the bulbs last foreva.

GL!!

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #17 on: April 20, 2017, 01:59:11 PM »
So I installed the daylight G25 60w leds and they are definitely too white and bright haha. Visibility is excellent but it's just a bit much!

I ordered a set of 6 soft white 40w G25 leds off Amazon for $18 which is cheaper than getting them at HomeDepot. Hopefully these will do the job.

BTW: the 60w candelabra leds made a *huge* difference in our dining room/living room - it's so much brighter now! I'm very happy with them.

Spork

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #18 on: April 20, 2017, 02:03:31 PM »
So I installed the daylight G25 60w leds and they are definitely too white and bright haha. Visibility is excellent but it's just a bit much!

I ordered a set of 6 soft white 40w G25 leds off Amazon for $18 which is cheaper than getting them at HomeDepot. Hopefully these will do the job.

BTW: the 60w candelabra leds made a *huge* difference in our dining room/living room - it's so much brighter now! I'm very happy with them.

More important than "LED is XX watt equivalent" is the color.  If you think they are too bright/harsh, back off on the color a bit. 

Like someone said above: I do 2700k everywhere in the house and do brighter colors out in my workshop.

JLee

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #19 on: April 20, 2017, 06:40:07 PM »
I use these, both in my house (that I moved out of and now rent) and in the apt I'm renting now:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EK6L446

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2017, 06:42:59 PM »
I use these, both in my house (that I moved out of and now rent) and in the apt I'm renting now:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EK6L446

Nice. I picked up a generic brand - Shine Hai. We'll see how they are...

redbird

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #21 on: April 21, 2017, 07:38:46 AM »
Yea I was considering this - how much does a single light run for though?

DH bought some LED light bulbs (Hyperikon) not too long after we FIREd. I can't remember exactly when. I'll say maybe November-December 2015. Not a single one has burnt out yet and shouldn't for years to come.

Mine are all standard light bulb size, but I had similar vanity lights in the bathrooms in the apartment I lived in for my first year of FIRE. They were just standard light bulb size, not globes, but you can purchase LED bulbs in globe sizes now. I put the LEDs in there and the power difference *and* the heat difference was huge. The old light bulbs made the bathrooms way too hot even if you weren't taking a shower.

TomTX

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #22 on: April 21, 2017, 05:07:54 PM »
Looks like $14 for three of them at Home Depot... not too bad. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-60W-Equivalent-Daylight-Frosted-G25-Globe-LED-Light-Bulb-3-Pack-465831/300320216

I have a similar 6 bulb vanity in the main bathroom.

I just use a plain Phillips LED bulb - was less than $2/bulb in a 4-pack.

Yes, I said A bulb. Just because your fixture has that many sockets doesn't mean you have to USE them. When I'm shaving, I'll screw in a second bulb (it sits in the socket the rest of the time, just not far enough to make contact)

jeromedawg

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Re: Advice on replacing power-sucking vanity lights
« Reply #23 on: April 21, 2017, 05:31:01 PM »
Looks like $14 for three of them at Home Depot... not too bad. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-60W-Equivalent-Daylight-Frosted-G25-Globe-LED-Light-Bulb-3-Pack-465831/300320216

I have a similar 6 bulb vanity in the main bathroom.

I just use a plain Phillips LED bulb - was less than $2/bulb in a 4-pack.

Yes, I said A bulb. Just because your fixture has that many sockets doesn't mean you have to USE them. When I'm shaving, I'll screw in a second bulb (it sits in the socket the rest of the time, just not far enough to make contact)

Haha nice idea. The Shine Hai pack I got works out fine - it's slightly brighter in there which I don't mind at all. This is especially useful for when we clean that bathroom LOL. It was pretty 'dim' in there now that these new LEDs are in. So brighter and with some savings on electricity :) I don't really care *how* bright it is in there since it's the guest bathroom. And I don't really care what my guests think either hahahah