Shower Light - Seeking Recommendations

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

The light in my shower is too dim. I was initially going to replace just the bulb.

I am adding a dimmer to my new vanity light, so it occurred to me that I might as well put a dimmer on the shower light as well. I'm assuming I need to replace the entire fixture for something dimmable.

I know that the fixture needs to be wet rated. What else should I look for? I plan to purchase at a local big box store (unless y’all recommend something better that I can only order Online) and have my handy partner install it.

Featured Answer

wdccruise

4 years ago

The existing bulb is a BR40 18 watt (75 Watt Equivalent) CFL Flood, 950 Lumens. Repliace with a dimmable BR40 LED such as the Euri Lighting EB40-17W3000e. Be sure to use an LED-compatible dimmer such as an Lutron LED+.

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Comments (8)

Carrie B
Original Author
4 years ago
Existing fixture:
User
4 years ago
Not sure if you need an exhaust fan or not, but I just bought this one for in our shower. It comes with a 4000K LED bulb so I'm thinking that should be enough light lol.

Aero Pure Exhaust Fan with Dimmable LED Light
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Carrie B
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
@User - I would *like* a fan (there's not one there, and hasn't been since I moved in over 20 years ago,) but doesn't there need to be a vent to go with the fan? Otherwise the air isn't actually going anywhere.
User
4 years ago
Correct. It needs to be vented outside (through roof or wall). Our home was built in the 70s and the current exhaust is vented to the attic. We vented the guest bath to the roof when we remodeled and will do the same for this one.
3onthetree
4 years ago
If the lamp (bulb) is too dim, put in a higher lumen lamp. Easy peasy.

Your fixture looks wet rated, it's performing fine. A dimmer to lower the lumens when you want it brighter seems to defeat the purpose you set out to do.

By looking at the # rings on the CFL, it looks like you have a 13W CFL (equivalent to 60W incandescent) which has a frosted diffuser housing it. So the "light" from the CFL is going through both the lamp diffuser + the wet rated can frosted glass diffuser (lens). You can unscrew the CFL from it's diffuser and just use it plain. Or buy another lamp of higher wattage equivalent to 75Watt incandescent: 19W CFL; or 1100 lumen LED (you can also go with a higher 4000+ Kelvin temp (cooler blue) on the LED to "seem" brighter).
Carrie B
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
@3onthetree (btw: I used to drive my dad's big old pickup when I was a teenager. Ford, I think, though it could have been a Chevy, or maybe a Dodge. Back in the early 80's. It was a 3-on-the-tree. Darn - those non-power breaks/clutch hard to drive!)

Here's a photo of the bulb. It is *really* dim. And I prefer 3000k, 4000k feels really cold to me.
Carrie B
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks, all! I replaced it with a 65 Watt LED, with adjustable kelvins. Decided, at least for now, to forego a dimmable bulb.

It's SO MUCH better and SO MUCH brighter than the old bulb. At first I set it on 3000K, and it was a bit too white for me, so moved it down to 2700. It's still pretty bright, but at least not dim!