It’s a fact of life: even the longest lasting light bulbs go out eventually. But as you may have noticed, the length of time that incandescent light bulbs last is highly unpredictable. Some go out after a few months, while others seem to last years, even with daily use. This is because light bulbs don’t burn out due to any single reason. Rather, there are a number of factors that can wear a bulb out over time, and it’s usually a combination of these things that makes a bulb finally die. Here are some things can do to possibly extend the life of your light bulbs.


1. Reduce voltage in the home: In homes with higher voltage, light bulbs tend to go out more quickly. You can test the voltage at your home using a voltage meter. Anywhere in the vicinity of 115 to 125 volts is normal for an average-sized home. If you find that your home has more than this, call your utility company to find out what can be done about the problem.

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