Apartment Lighting -- what's user replaceable?

ryans

Hi,

I'm on the hunt for a new apartment, and a big concern is the lighting in the apartment. Many of the apartments I am looking at have "cheap" LED lighting, which causes bad symptoms. I need to be able to replace any bad bulbs myself/hire someone to do it.

Here are some images of different lighting structures I am finding:

These first two look NOT to be replaceable by an average joe and likely use harsh LEDs?

Whereas these three below look user replaceable?

Has anyone asked landlord to include non-LED bulbs in the contract or anything like this? If I am able to install/pay to install halogen / incandescent, I'd be fine.

Appreciate any tips.

AGI

ryans I have been living with those kind of lights for a year. I became a bit more tolerant over time but they still suck. Funnily, I can read a paper book at night while in bed with my eyes almost facing the bulbs, but I cannot use my laptop without severe eyestrain and neck pain. No idea why. The only thing I can think of is glare from the screen. Also, dimming the lights make symptoms worse.

When I moved in, it was so bad that I spent a lot of time reading in the toilet where I have heat lamps.

I am too considering moving to floor lamps.

Larkenn

What you could do is just leave the top lights switched off and use lamps everywhere. This way you can choose whatever type of lighting you like. This is what we have done. The only rooms you possibly need top lighting is in the kitchen and bathroom so maybe pay special attention to those bulb fittings.

ryans

AGI I have been living with those kind of lights for a year. I became a bit more tolerant over time but they still suck.

Are yours replaceable with "good" bulbs?

AGI

ryans What is "good bulbs"? 😆

I had considered replacing the bulbs at my expense and contacted Waveform Lighting for help. From their preliminary answer

Regarding the fixtures photograph provided, I am unable to ascertain what type of lights would fit within, if any. I have seen similar fixtures which utilize embedded LED lights rather than bulbs. That said, if the fixture is fully enclosed, then it would not be compatible with our A19 bulbs, as they require moderate airflow for heat dissipation.

I concluded that it would not be an easy task, especially being overseas and potentially having to deal with power incompatibility.

Locally, I experienced the same difficulties as with electronic devices. No knowledge around, no one had issues with lighting but me so I sounded like a fruitcake, and I desisted. I am a bit more free now and I want to look into options again. I am thinking of trying with bulbs for floor lamps first, so I do not need to ask my landlord for permission.

rumpty

Hey Ryans

We are in a similar situation - low quality high flicker pot lights.

+1 To the other commenters recommendation.

Get high quality flicker free LED bulbs and put them in the boob light fixtures overhead.

Then get some cheap “torchier standing lamps” and put high quality bulbs in those. Torchier light fixtures are great in rentals because they can cast a wide area of light upward.

Not a ton you can do about the pot lights - it might be possible to replace them with something higher quality in the same footprint - alternatively you could ask your landlord to install and you could pay for better ones - not necessarily a good deal for you, but could be worth considering.

One way to see how bad the flicker is on the pot lights it to use slo-mo video recording on your phone - if it supports it and you can see the flicker rate and severity. Cheers!

ryans

Thanks all for the great advice.

I think I will try to avoid "pot lights" at all costs. And good idea with the phone, will try to check any flickering there.

ryans

AGI At least in USA, the "old" incandescent lights are still available.

Getting a floor lamp sounds fine…but it would look weird in a bathroom or kitchen.

And how do I explain to a guest about it? I don't like sharing our "condition".

AGI

ryans I totally understand you. I just finished discussing with laptop manufacturer customer care and IT Admin about the recent changes of my display, following some updates. The initial plan was to revert the changes that caused the display issue, but instead they ran more updates and now I am in the process of upgrading to a newer OS Build. People who do not have our problem do not understand. I am exhausted and quite anxious that things may become worse with the ongoing upgrades. I am sure if they looked at the display, they would say there is nothing wrong with it, but my eyestrain and neck pain have skyrocketed since that reboot and install of upgrades.

thorpee

In Australia some of those fancy downlights plug in the roof with a standard powerpoint. You could swap them out fairly easy if thats the case.