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lisa_m88

Finding NON-integrated LED light fixtures?

6 years ago

Does anyone know how I can shop for light fixtures that are NOT integrated LED but can still accommodate LED bulbs? I'm remodeling a rental unit and though I love the look of LED-integrated fixtures, I'm concerned that if/when they fail (as I read in reviews they sometimes do within months or years), I'll have to replace the whole fixture. I live at a distance so this would require hiring a handyman, not to mention the cost. I'd feel more comfortable just being able to replace the bulbs and knowing it will work! But everywhere I look online it seems the majority of fixtures are integrated and I can't figure out a way to filter for those that aren't. Suggestions? I'm looking for flush mount ceiling lights as well as bathroom fixtures.

Comments (12)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    any light fixture with a socket. Sorry to be blunt but there is a vast array of screw-in LED light bulbs on the market. Buy a fixture with any socket and there is an LED for it. even the type that have bi pin halogen sockets, there is an LED for that.

  • 5 years ago

    Lisa, our integrated light fixture failed after a year and I want a non integrated one and can't find it either! Did you have any luck?


  • 5 years ago

    I'm sorry that happened! I did end up choosing all my light fixtures with changeable bulbs.... there is just not as big a selection. I ordered mostly from Lamps Plus, and I think I also got a couple of things from Home Depot and Lowes. You'll want to narrow down the search to that type (I think it's E26 base?) because most are the integrated kind. Hope that helps!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    @Courtney D: "I want a non integrated one..."

    What is the diameter of the existing fixture? Is it installed (i.e., pushed up into) in a recessed light housing? Does the housing have a screw-in bulb socket at the base?

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks, Lisa! That is so helpful!

    @wdcruise We are putting in a screw in blub socket, just need the fixture on the outside. I can't find many fixtures that don't have integrated bulbs so I thought I would see what Lisa found!

  • 5 years ago

    if you are talking about recessed lighting , buy glass shower trim kits they will cover the bulb.

  • 5 years ago

    What I used:

    ---

    *Alternative: Juno Lighting 17SQ Series 4" Square Trim

    **Alternative: Euri EP20-5000cecw-2 3000K Bulb

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Hi,

    I'm an electrician with 30+ years of residential experience; I don't really use Houz, but you can find me on Yelp.

    I'm going to leave this here for the next person who finds this thread; it's copy/pasted from a google doc I have written for my customers about lighting in which I discuss recessed lighting, but is relevant to any integrated lighting.


    I strongly recommend *against* Integrated (built-in) LED lights that are attached to trim. They are a scam. If their bulbs die in +/-10 years (as all light bulbs do) you will be stuck with trying to find a matching trim kit to fit in with the rest of the older recessed lights instead of changing a light bulb like a normal person. At the very least, there is likely to be some discoloration of the trim, so the new light will stick out like a sore thumb.

    You are stuck with what you got:

    Unlike a standard recessed light, you are stuck with whatever you got for the entire 10 years; you can't just change the light bulb to make the space brighter, change the color hue, or make a wider or narrower light beam.

    They are freaking expensive:

    Most folks don't think about the fact that it costs more to change the whole fixture than just changing the light bulb. In addition to paying the cost for the entire integrated light, most people end up having to pay the cost of an electrician to troubleshoot the broken light only to find that they need to essentially replace a light bulb ...and yet they still have to pay an electrician to do it. And since it's likely that the electrician won't have your exactly light and trim in their van, you will be paying for two visits.

    There's good chance you won't be happy with how that new light looks:

    When It does come time for a replacement, I can't tell you how many of these fixtures I have donated to thrift stores and the like because a customer wanted to change all their lights after they were installed and one light died...but they couldn't find a matching replacement for the other lights in the ceiling! These fixture styles are aesthetically limited and are really purposed for "flippers". Finally, I hate to be so nihilistic, but don't expect to find the same style after 10 years -I honestly believe that light manufacturers change the styles every few years so you can't find the same lights that you bought a few years ago. So you will end up with a mismatched fixture -and the manufacturers are counting on you to buy a whole new set when, again, you could have just changed the light bulb. This makes a lot of money for light manufacturers and the electrician you will call to replace the lights -at your expense.

    What about the environment?

    Besides the huge waste of your money, these are also just more junk for landfills. Don't let yourself get sold on this scam. LED light bulbs are great for the environment and that they use less electricity, but integrated LEDs are an environmental disaster.


  • 4 years ago

    @Greg Avakian: "Unlike a standard recessed light, you are stuck with whatever you got for the entire 10 years; you can't just change the light bulb to make the space brighter, change the color hue, or make a wider or narrower light beam."

    There are selectable and tunable LED lights whose color temperature can be adjusted, and brightness can be controlled with a dimmer.

    "most people end up having to pay the cost of an electrician to troubleshoot the broken light"

    You don't need an electrician for this.

    "They are freaking expensive"

    One can buy a case of 12 canless recessed lights for $10 each.

    "customer wanted to change all their lights after they were installed and one light died...but they couldn't find a matching replacement for the other lights in the ceiling!"

    Solution: Buy a couple spares when you make the initial purchase.

    "I honestly believe that light manufacturers change the styles every few years so you can't find the same lights that you bought a few years ago."

    Or maybe tastes change or technology changes. If technology hadn't changed, there wouldn't be LED lights...or even LED bulbs.

    "LEDs are an environmental disaster."

    Hmmm. I thought it was CFLs that were "an environmental disaster".

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    @wdccruise
    I think it says more about you when you deliberately misquote someone to push your agenda.
    You wrote:

    ""LEDs are an environmental disaster."
    Hmmm. I thought it was CFLs that were "an environmental disaster"."

    ...strange that you would deliberately edit my sentence to leave out the fact that I am discussing *integrated* LEDs. No one else on this thread seems to misunderstand the OP's intent here besides you.

    But you made my point quite well:
    If you buy an integrated LED you ARE stuck with what you bought -whether or not it is tunable. ...And yes, you CAN buy an extra 12 canless spare integrated lights for $10 each ...but at that price point you're looking at non-tuneable 4000K -in other words, industrial fluorescent-looking light (maybe you like your living room to look like a 1970s office space lit by fluorescent shop lights?). Tuneable LEDs are more like $30 each. Besides, most of us don't want to spend $10-$30 to "change a light bulb".
    And that brings up an important point: a child or the elderly can easily change a screw-in lightbulb; but many can't or shouldn't change an LED fixture. When new tech comes along, screw-in light bulbs will be the first adaptation -as was the case with CFLs, LEDs, and Xenon technology. There is no guarantee that new tech will match the voltage, amperage, or connection method of one of those cheap canless integrated LEDs since they use a transformer (which is another part that can break BTW).

    The difference between us is that I am posting against (my financial interests as a professional electrician) to help people understand how and why they should better plan their renovations. -that's part of my job as a professional. I suspect you're just one of those (probably male) folks who just HAS to post on topics they don't understand because they aren't getting enough attention off-line. I'd give you the benefit of the doubt if it weren't for deliberately misquoting me to twist meaning, but it's clear that you are just a troll. Go troll somewhere else; you are far more transparent than you realize.










































  • 3 years ago

    @Greg Avakian Agree 100%. Thank you for posting this. I just told a salesperson at a high-end lighting showroom that I did NOT want integrated LED fixtures (for my under cabinet lighting). He said "Oh, don't worry, they are easy to replace when/if it breaks". I replied that "Yes, I'm sure I can install it, but I do not want to throw a bunch of obsolete fixtures and drivers in a landfill when I could just replace a bulb...." . He looked at me like I was nuts. It's incredibly depressing that we as consumers don't think about the life cycle of all of this crap we are buying. There is only so much space in the Earth folks!