15 years ago

We're building a new home with 16' ceiling in the entry. I don't know if a ladder will be high enough to change the lightbulbs in the fixture, plus I don't want to climb up there. What do people do when they have this situation?

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Featured Answer

engine99

14 years ago

We have 18' ceilings with many recessed cans in our house. I invested in a telescoping pole and lightbulb changing kit, with which I can reach up easily. It has essentially a large suction cup on the end, so I can unscrew the burned out bulb, and replace it with a new one with out having to climb a ladder. I bought it several years ago at Frontgate.com, but there are many manufacturers out there. Not too fond of heights, or falls...usually the cat climbs up the ladder behind me. May be he has a life insurance policy on me that I don't know about...

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Comments (9)

PRO
DeCocco Design
15 years ago
Invest in an LED fixture. Supposedly you'll never have to change the bulbs! Or buy the fixture of your choice and hire a handyman with a tall ladder once a year or so to come and change all the light bulbs. Surely every year you'll have a couple other things on your list for him to do, so that would be easy.
mandevillia
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
We have a motorized pulley installed in the attic space above. It slowly lowers the fixture when you turn a key in a special switch plate on the wall. Purchased at lighting supplier, installed by professional electrician. We did this after original construction. Very easy if you can afford it
Judy EDward
Original Author
14 years ago
We'll have to check into that. Cost will be a factor. We'll comare that with the LED option and see which one works better. Thanks for your idea Mandevillia!
mandevillia
14 years ago
Yes, we had 20' plus foyer and it was worth every penny to not have to put my life on the line to dust and clean cobwebs off the chandelier or change a bulb. I think it was called something like genie lift or magic lift.
PRO
Linda
14 years ago
Buy a ten foot stepladder and make friends with your neighbors. Someone around you would be willing to change your lightbulbs occasionally for a suitable trade. Maybe a twelve foot stepladder and you'll find your neighbors will be happy to change the bulbs in return for the occasional use of the only super-tall stepladder around!

Buy 130 Volt lightbulbs and you'll find them less likely to blow.
Judy EDward
Original Author
14 years ago
The cat must think YOU have 9 lives too!! Thanks for your comment ,engine99.
rasagna
13 years ago
Its called an Aladdin lift. Its not that expensive. you can find a good one for about a grand.
scott2645
13 years ago
For less than A GRAND you could have an electrician install a pulley system that would lower the light to your level so you can change the bulbs when need and then raise it back to ceiling height.