We’ve all heard it at one time or another. That usually slightly quiet, insistent, and eventually maddening buzz or hum coming from a light source. It can be found in the home, in your business, outdoors—pretty much anywhere. What is that and how can you stop it? Answers to this and more, coming right up from the experts at John Goudie!
Our team of certified and licensed master electricians have been providing Maryland home and business owners with top-tier lighting and electrical solutions for years! When you work with John Goudie, you can rest assured that you’re getting the absolute best with each and every project, guaranteed.
Need lighting repair from master electricians in the Maryland area? Contact the team at John Goudie today!
Light Buzzing 101: Common Causes & Fixes
We use lots of different types of lighting these days. From LEDs to the still somewhat standard fluorescent, all lights are possible buzzers. But the causes differ between types somewhat, as do the fixes. Let’s go over some different light sources and possible causes:
- Fluorescent bulbs. Still the current mainstay in most residential homes, fluorescent bulbs are somewhat dependable, if a bit warm. The two most common causes for the buzzing sound are a failing bulb or a damaged fixture. Start by simply replacing the bulb and you might solve your problem right off the bat. If not, you may want to look into the fixture itself—check for loose or damaged parts. And if that is your cause, a new lighting installation can cover your needs. If neither of these fix the issue, you’re likely looking at a wiring problem, which will definitely require an electrician.
- CFLs. The bane of many an office worker, CFLs are often found in long fixtures and are known for being obnoxiously buzzy and hummy. The common cause of this is a failing ballast, the component responsible for regulating the bulb’s current. The ballast can become disfigured or begin to bend, which will result in the well-known obnoxious buzz. The good news is ballast replacement is quick and easy in the hands of a pro, but ballast failure is really quite common in these fixtures, so you might consider a new lighting solution.
- LED bulbs. The up and coming efficient and effective lighting source, LEDs really shouldn’t ever buzz. If you have an LED, and it is buzzing, it’s probably hooked up to a dimmer switch. More correctly, the wrong type of dimmer switch. You specifically want dimmers designed to work with an LED light source, such as an ELV dimmer. Otherwise, you could get a buzz from your LED light. The only other real cause is an electrical issue, so if your LED is buzzing and not on a dimmer, call in for professional electrical repair right away!
Choose John Goudie Electrical as Your Lighting Electrician in Southern Maryland & Northern Virginia
Lighting installation isn’t a DIY job. No matter your lighting project, you can count on the electricians at John Goudie Electric. We value our reputation and hold our technicians to the highest of standards. Our family-run business has outranked our Maryland and Virginia competitors since 1987 with our 100% satisfaction guarantee. For any residential electrical installation project in Southern Maryland or Northern Virginia, contact the lighting experts at John Goudie Electric!