Ceiling Fan light socket conversion
I am having my home remodeled and selected ceiling fans that matched the dйcor without looking at the bulb specifics. After the contractor installed the fans, we found that 3 of the 8 fans use intermediate based bulbs instead of E27/medium or candelabra based bulbs. We are trying to be energy efficient and want to install Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs), but none are made with intermediate bases. Since we know we will be using low wattage, and CFLs put out much less heat, can we change out the intermediate base bulbs with a medium base for the CFs? Bulb size is not an issue (we checked). How difficult would it be to replace the lamp bases in the ceiling fans for a moderately skilled person like me with some electrical knowledge who is good at following directions? Many thanks for your advice! Welcome to the forums! It may be easier to find a lighting fixture you like that has the medium bases and put it in place of the one there, now. You can rewire the fixture, but replacing it is alot more economical. I am having the same issue, I just installed 2 ceiling fans from Home Depot. Most of their fans, including the ones I bought, use intermediate base bulbs. Frustration One workaround I may try: There are base adapters that convert from intermediate to candelabra (they screw in flush to the socket), and then candelabra to medium/standard (protrude a little from the socket). So, buying two adapters per socket will get you there assuming you have enough room in the light fixture. Anyone know why an adapter that goes from intermediate to medium doesn't exist? Most ceiling fans cannot be used with CFL because they come with a built-in lighting dimmer. Do not use CFL in a ceiling fan unless the manufacturer specifically says that you can (even if the bulbs fit the sockets). the other reason why most ceiling fan manufacters gone with intermidte base size because the med size bulb base is very common and many peoples buy CFL and stick it in the fan unit and burn out the dimmer/fan speed control system that why they got smart after getting too many replacement due from this setup again i will say Majorty of the fan manufacters have speed/ light controller they will say NO CFL bulbs to advoid some issue with dimmer part. [ i get this type of service call all the time with common thing ] Merci, Marc I found this forum thread while searching for intermediate base bulbs for my new ceiling fans purchased at Home Depot. Less than 6 weeks since installation and 2 of the bulbs went out and, as noted previously, Home Depot does not stock these bulbs nor does Lowe's. That said, I did wonder if this would happen. When I bought the fans, I had seen on-line that there was a new law signed last year by Bush requiring all ceiling fans be changed over to the Intermediate or candelabra base. I am sure there is more info about that on the Internet, I have not really looked. Anyway, I finally found a source for the bulbs at Light Bulbs Etc. (www.lighbulbsdirect.com) They are not the cheapest, but at $0.91 I figured it was worth buying a bunch until they start carrying them in local stores. It is amazing that Home Depot and Lowe's did not prepare for this and that the bulbs are not readily available! As for the converters mentioned in another reply to this thread, I did find some available on E-Bay to go down to a candelabra base from the intermediate base, so maybe that would be a good option. There are plenty of styles and choices for that size base. Don't know if I've helped at all, but figured I'd share in hopes I did. Anyone know why an adapter that goes from intermediate to medium doesn't exist? ------------------------------------------------------------- I found some at Voss Lighting They just added them to their site. They are pricey though. $9.95 ea but I couldn't find them anywhere else. Too clumsy, especially if the mass of a bulb would exceed the mechanical specs of the intermediate socket/ not if you want to use a compact fluorescent. They have standard bases, and fall way under the specs for the intermediate socket. I've run into this same, very annoying issue. 1 ceiling fan has medium sockets, rock on. 2 have candelebra. HD has some nice and cheapish ($8 for 3 I think) 40 watt replacement candelbra CFLs (be careful, don't buy the worthless 15 watt replacements, lowes only had the 15 watt ones). But one has intermediates... I got that ceiling fan specifically for a room that is always too hot, the last thing I want is four bulbs that put out even more heat. $9 a socket is for that Voss lighting adapter is highway robbery. I'd be paying $50+ with shipping for the 4 socket fan. I'll get these instead: E17 Intermediate Base to E12 Candelabra Base Lamp Socket Reducer And then just put in candelbras. actually... I was in HD today and they now have intermediate socket CFLs. They didn't last week, so it must be a new product. Pricey, at $5 a bulb, but the conversions/time/rewiring the socket/ etc makes it a wash I think,.
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