Q&A for How to Replace Fluorescent Lighting

Turn the power off and apply downward pressure at the end of the bulb. Keep in mind that circular fluorescent bulbs may shatter easily.

A fluorescent starter is a timed switch. It lets the current flow through the filaments, which are located at each end of the fluorescent light tube.

Changing a light ballast is an involved process, so it’s important to follow step-by-step instructions that explains exactly what to do. Be sure the replacement used is of the same technology. It is suggested that you read all of this wikihow: How to Replace the Ballast in a Fluorescent Lighting Fixture , including its warnings, so you know what to do correctly.

Yes, you can replace fluorescent lights with track lighting and fortunately, you can use the same wiring so you won’t need to replace existing wiring unless it’s in poor condition. You’ll only need one connection for track lighting. Make sure you turn off the electricity before removing and changing the lights and only do it yourself if you’re comfortable with electrical DIY work, otherwise get some qualified help.

The general rule of thumb is to not exceed the recommended wattage. If the appliance says that you can only use bulbs that are 32 watt or less, then you need to stick with that. However, if it says you can use higher wattage, then that would be okay. Without knowing what your appliance actually specifies, that's the best advice that can be provided.

There are some LED bulbs that work in fluorescent fixtures. Check your warehouse and home improvement stores.

Take it to the store that sold you the new bulbs and ask if they will properly recycle it to keep the mercury away from people and animals eaten by people. If not, wait for a day with hazardous waste recyling, but be careful not to let the bulb be broken.

Check for loose wires and try to reset the fuse. If it still doesn't work, you will need a replacement fixture.

Not unless you feel safer doing so. Just avoid being rough with the bulb, or else you may break it and spill harmful chemicals everywhere.

Go to hospital! Fluorescent bulbs have chemicals inside so you need to see a doctor.

The best thing to do is to check the fixture's label (where the bulb mounts onto). That should indicate what wattage is safe to use. As long as you don't go over that wattage, and the bulb fits, you're fine.

Most people will tell you that it's better to replace all of them at once, ensuring that in the future, the bulbs will hopefully burn out around the same time, making it easier to replace them. If you wait and replace each one individually, you will end up doing the same job four separate times.

It will vary by city and region. In general, most fluorescent lamps can be put into landfills, but some cities, counties, or states have prohibited this and require the lamps to be recycled. (All fluorescent lamps contain some small amount of mercury.) If it's not banned, recycling is the better option, but it will require more effort on your part to take the lamp to a drop off site. Check earth911.com for recycling locations near you. Many businesses may accept the lamps, and local government programs that are set up to handle hazardous recycling usually accept them.

More often, it may indicate that the fluorescent lamp needs to be replaced as the ballast is trying to light the lamp, which points to the ballast operating normally. However, it does not rule out that the ballast has gone bad. If you have some spare lamps or another fixture that uses the same lamps, swap the lamps in the affected fixture and see if the problem still exists. If the problem did go away, then the ballast should be fine; otherwise, the ballast or some other part of the fixture is the source of the issue.

First off, go shopping for the LED lamp designed to replace the fluorescent one in your fixture. Some can be used with certain ballast types (plug and play), but most are just line voltage (ballast bypass) and do not require a ballast. So if you can find an LED lamp that is plug and play for the ballast you have, you swap the lamps and you're done. Otherwise, you will need to disconnect the ballast and wire the sockets per the LED lamp's wiring diagram, connecting them to the hot and neutral directly.