How to Change a Light Bulb in Recessed Lighting With a Lip

Recessed lighting gives an attractive modern look to your rooms, but you may find yourself puzzled and frustrated when it comes to changing the light bulbs. The bulbs are often situated flush with the ceiling or a little bit above it, with no room for your fingers to fit between the bulb and the casing. These bulbs may seem impossible to remove without taking apart your entire lighting system, but a quick trick can relieve your frustration and simplify this task.

Things You'll Need

• Duct tape
• Replacement light bulb

Instructions

1. Turn the power off to your light and allow the bulb to cool. Changing a hot light bulb could cause painful burns or may cause you to drop the bulb, so wait a few minutes until you can safely touch the bulb without injury.

2. Tear off a piece of duct tape 12 inches long. Find the center of the tape strip and stick it to the surface of the light bulb. Press 3 inches of the tape to the surface of the bulb, covering it from one edge of the bulb to the other.

3. Fold the right half of the tape that is hanging down in half, sticking the sticky side to itself. Do the same thing with the left side. You now have the center of the tape stuck to the bulb with two non-sticky handles hanging down from it.

4. Grasp the tape handles and give the tape and bulb a counterclockwise twist. The bulb should begin to loosen. Continue turning the bulb with the tape handle until it loosens from the socket and comes out.

5. Pull the old bulb from the socket carefully, making sure that it doesn't fall from the tape. Replace the old bulb with a new one, turning the bulb in a clockwise direction. Remove the tape handles from the old bulb and stick them to the new bulb to finish the final turns to seat the bulb properly and completely.

References

• This Old House: Loosening Recessed Light Bulbs