So, you’ve got gorgeous high ceilings, but those ceilings can be a real problem when one of your recessed light bulbs stops working, right?
Fear not.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to change a recessed light bulb in a high ceiling, step by step.
VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED RECESSED LIGHTS HERE.
Quick Links
The first thing you’ll need to do is answer the question: can you see the outer edges of your recessed light bulb inside the housing?
If you can, you can remove the bulb by hand, which we walk you through step-by-step in the next section.
If you can’t see your bulb’s edges, you’ll have to remove it using duct tape, which we detail here.
Removing your recessed light by hand
If you can see the edges of the bulb, then you can remove it by hand following the below guide.
1. Let the lights cool
If you’re replacing a recessed light bulb that’s still working, the first thing you should do is a) turn it off and b) let it cool down.
2-3 minutes should do the trick.
Some recessed light (like LED wafer lights) run quite cool when compared to other lighting types, but they can still be warm to the touch. So don’t think that just because you’re using LED lights you don’t have to do this step!
If the recessed light you’re replacing isn’t working however, feel free to skip this step.
2. Position your ladder
Next, position your ladder underneath the bulb.
Since we’re working with a high ceiling, you’re going to need a tall, sturdy ladder like this one.
Do not use a normal ladder and simply add objects underneath it to make it taller. This is a sure-fire way to fall off and hurt yourself.
Climb the ladder until you can safely reach the recessed light fixture without extending yourself too much.
3. Rotate the bulb counterclockwise
Reach up to the fitting and gently twist your light bulb counterclockwise until it unscrews completely from the socket.
If you feel it’s not smoothly unscrewing or that its almost jolting a bit, don’t worry. More likely than not it is the springs holding it in place (see image below) causing it!
Once you’ve removed the bulb, carefully get down off the ladder.
Removing your recessed light using duct tape
If you can’t see the edges of the bulb, then you’re not going to be able to remove it from your recessed light housing by hand.
No worries, duct tape to the rescue!
Begin by tearing off a 6–12-inch strip of duct tape, ensuring the adhesive side faces outward.
Affix the middle of the tape to the bulb, pressing it down firmly to make sure it adheres properly and covers most of the bulb’s surface, as you can see below.
Then, grab both ends of the duct tape (these should be hanging off the bulb), and start twisting counterclockwise.
The two ends will twist around each other, and after a few twists should start twisting the bulb along with it.
Continue twisting until the bulb comes loose and can be removed.
Installing your new recessed light
Now that you have the old recessed bulb out, let’s get the new one in.
1. Fetch your new recessed bulb
If you already have your new light to install, skip to the next step.
If not, make sure you replace your bulb with the correct type for the recessed light housing.
If you’re in any doubt, take your old bulb to your local hardware store, and they will help you find a replacement.
2. Install the new bulb
The last thing left to do at this point is to re-install your new bulb.
Ascend your ladder again, and gently insert the bulb and screw it into place. If you were able to use your hands to remove the old bulb, you’ll be able to easily slot the new bulb back into place the same way.
If you used duct tape, you’ll need to repeat that process – stick the duct tape to the centre of the bulb, raise it into the recessed light housing, then twist clockwise until it’s firmly in place.
Closing remarks
Changing a recessed light bulb in a high ceiling can be pretty straightforward, especially if your recessed light housing is large enough to do it by hand.
But even then, with a bit of know-how and our Cavelights top tips, you’ll have it out and replaced in no time!
VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED RECESSED LIGHTS HERE.
Related Posts
- What are downlights?
- How much does it cost to install recessed lights?
- How to change a recessed light bulb
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[…] Their long lifespan also means you won’t be replacing bulbs frequently—a definite plus when they’re installed in high or hard-to-reach places! […]