I love the (specifically daylight) led light bulbs; however I couldn't afford to purchase them for my entire house, all at once… So, I have been changing each one, as I can (or as the current bulb burns out).
I do not have even one dimmer switch, in my entire house
Until recently, I have never had a problem with any of these new bulbs.
It seems as though all of the bulbs I have used out of the most recent boxes purchased start flickering, a very brief time after "installing" them.
At first, I thought that maybe the box that I most recently purchased just happened to be a "bad batch", or something… However… It isn't just the one box. Or even two boxes, of the same, that could have possibly been part of the same batch from the factory.
It is happening with "flood light" type bulbs, for the can lights, throughout my house; as well as regular bulbs that I have replaced in ceiling fans, etc.
All of the other ones, previously put into my house, are still going strong. But, each and every new bulb I put in, starts to flicker (MAJORLY flicker). Sometimes within the same day of placing it in the socket.
What could be the reason for this?? It is A LOT of money, in light bulbs. Not to mention, very frustrating.
Thank you, in advance, for any insight you can give me!!
Best Answer
Keep in mind that the LED bulbs made with Edison bases have the electronics in the base. They produce heat. Many fixtures out there mount the lamps upside down. So the heat concentrates in the base and overheats the electronics. Try one of those brand of bulbs that starts flickering in a table lamp (BEFORE it starts flickering of course) where the bulb is mounted in free air, right side up. I will bet it won't start flickering.
Electronic parts are manufactured to run at different temperature levels. Lower temp electronics are cheaper. While Ed is right about the certification, even certified LED bulbs will run with a far longer lifetime if the bulb has good air circulation and heat dissipation and is oriented so the heat doesn't concentrate around the driver. My preference would be that LED bulbs were certified in both "right-side-up-only" applications and "universal" applications. as the "right-side-up-only" ones would be cheaper and would allow the discerning consumer to save money. Unfortunately too many consumers are ignorant and that scheme likely would not work out so well.