Most refrigerators come with incandescent lightbulbs, but more energy-efficient options are now available. LED bulbs are becoming more and more popular because they use less energy and last longer than traditional lightbulbs. So, can you put an LED bulb in your refrigerator if you want to swap out your old lightbulb?
If you have the right base size, the right led bulb shape (that fits into the designated lighting area), and the right wattage, then yes, you can put an LED bulb in your refrigerator. However, if any of those three things are not compatible, then no, you should not put an LED bulb in your refrigerator as it will not function well.
You may also be wondering what about freezers since they could get to -14 degrees. Just like the refrigerator, you can also use an led bulb in a freezer as long as it has the correct base size, shape, and wattage. To err on the side of caution, we recommend getting an LED bulb rated for -20 degrees or colder just to be safe. You can also get led bulbs made for both freezers and refrigerators.
Stick around as I delve into the nitty-gritty of each of those three things and more so that you know for sure whether or not you can put an LED bulb in your refrigerator.
Reasons You Can Put Led Bulbs In Refrigerators & Freezers
Let me start by telling you why it is possible to put led bulbs in refrigerators.
1. Led Bulbs Are More Efficient In The Cold
One of the main reasons you can put led bulbs in your refrigerators is that they are more efficient when it is cold. The colder it is, the harder it is for traditional lightbulbs to produce light. This is not an issue for LED bulbs, which means that you will be able to see better inside your refrigerator without having to use as much energy.
Led bulbs are also designed to work in a wide range of temperatures, so they will not be damaged by the cold temperature inside your refrigerator. In fact, in heat, led bulbs tend not to perform well.
So you want to avoid putting led bulbs in places with higher temperatures as they are not designed for those conditions and will have a shorter lifespan. This means that putting led lights in the refrigerator is a great way to get the most out of them.
2. Led Bulbs Don’t Emit Much Heat
You might be thinking, “but won’t the fridge get warmer if I put an led bulb in it?” Fortunately, the answer is no because led bulbs don’t emit much heat. In fact, they emit about 90% less heat than traditional incandescent lightbulbs.
This is important because you want to avoid putting anything in your fridge that will make it warmer. Warmer temperatures can cause food to spoil more quickly, so you want to make sure that your fridge is as cool as possible.
The best part is that you would still have better lighting than an incandescent lightbulb, and your fridge would use less energy overall. So it’s a win-win!
3. Most Refrigerators Use AC Power
Another reason you can put an led bulb in your refrigerator is because most refrigerators use alternating current (AC) power. This means that the electricity is constantly changing directions, so LED bulbs work well with this type of power.
On the other hand, some appliances use direct current (DC) power when the electricity flows in one direction. Led bulbs are not designed to work with this type of power, so you should avoid putting them in DC power appliances.
In simple terms, led bulbs will be compatible with almost any refrigerator using AC power. However, make sure to check what type of power your fridge uses before switching to LED bulbs.
4. You Can Get Them In Various Shapes And Sizes
You are sure to get an led bulb size that will fit perfectly into the designated light area in your refrigerator.
As I mentioned before, one of the requirements for putting an led bulb in your refrigerator is that it has the correct base size. Unfortunately, you need to get an led bulb with the same base size as your old lightbulb. The good news is that most led bulbs have a standard base size, so you should be able to find one that fits.
There are also a variety of shapes and sizes when it comes to led bulbs, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. For example, if you have a small fridge, you might want to get a mini LED bulb.
On the other hand, if you have a larger fridge, you might want to get a bulb with a longer neck to reach the back of the refrigerator.
No matter what type of refrigerator you have or what size lightbulb you need, there will be an LED bulb that will work for you.
Benefits Of Putting Led Bulbs In The Refrigerators & Freezers
There are a lot of benefits to putting led bulbs in your refrigerators, as I may have hinted before. So let’s get into some of the benefits of putting led bulbs in the refrigerator.
- Led Bulbs Gives You Better Lighting For The Fridge
One of the first noticeable benefits is having better lighting in your fridge. This is because the light will be more evenly distributed, and the bulbs will last longer.
You might not think that better lighting would make much difference, but it does. Having better lighting in your fridge makes it easier to find what you’re looking for, and it also makes the food look more appealing.
This is especially important if you have a lot of food in your fridge and you need to be able to see everything. Having better lighting will make it easier to find what you need, and it will also help you avoid wasting food.
- Led Bulbs Are Safer For Refrigerators
Another benefit of led bulbs is that they are safer for refrigerators. This is because they don’t emit as much heat even if you leave the fridge door open. If you have kids in your home, then I’m sure there are several times of the day you notice your fridge has been left open.
Regular lightbulbs can cause the bulb to heat up rapidly, causing the food to spoil more quickly, but with LED bulbs, you don’t have to worry about this. Even when you forget to leave your fridge door open, the led bulb will still produce very little to no heat, and your food will be just fine.
In addition to being safer for your food, LED bulbs are also safer for your fridge overall. This is because they don’t emit as much heat, which can damage the functionality of the refrigerator over time.
So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your fridge working properly for a longer period of time, then led bulbs are the way to go.
- Led Bulbs Last A Lot Longer
One of the best benefits of led bulbs is that they last a lot longer than regular lightbulbs. In fact, they can last up to 50,000 hours, which is much longer than most people keep their fridges.
This means that you won’t have to replace the lightbulb as often, and it will also save you money in the long run. In addition, led bulbs are more energy-efficient than regular lightbulbs, saving money on your electricity bill.
- Led Bulbs Are Eco-Friendly
Similar to the point made above, once you’re conserving energy with led bulbs, they are more eco-friendly. This is because they don’t use as much energy, and they don’t produce as much heat.
So, if you’re looking for a way to be more eco-friendly, then led bulbs are a great option. Not only will you save money on your electricity bill, but you’ll also be doing your part to help the environment.
- Led Bulbs Have A Pleasant Lumination
Led bulbs have a pleasant lumination. This has more to do with how even and pleasant led bulb lighting is.
If you’ve ever been in a room with regular lightbulbs, you know how harsh and unflattering they can be. But with led bulbs, the light is more evenly distributed, and it’s much more pleasant to be in the room.
This is especially important because it is easy on the eyes and also if you have a lot of food in your fridge and you need to be able to see everything. Having better lighting will make it easier to find what you need, and it will also help you avoid wasting food.
- Led Bulbs Are More Efficient
Efficiency-wise, led bulbs use a lot less energy than regular lightbulbs. This is because they produce very little heat and don’t use as much electricity.
So, if you’re looking to save money on your electricity bill, then led bulbs are the way to go. In addition, led bulbs are more eco-friendly than regular lightbulbs, so you can feel good about doing your part to help the environment.
- Led Bulbs Produce Less Heat In The Refrigerator
As I’m sure you know, heat is the enemy of refrigerators. This is because it can cause the food to spoil more quickly and damage the fridge’s functionality over time.
So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your fridge working properly for a longer period of time, then led bulbs are the way to go. This is because they produce very little heat, even when you leave the fridge door open.
Regular lightbulbs can cause the bulb to heat up rapidly, causing the food to spoil more quickly, but with LED bulbs, you don’t have to worry about this.
Possible Issues You Could Run Into Putting Led Bulbs In Refrigerators
While there is no doubt the benefits of putting led bulbs in refrigerators outweigh the cons, there are a few potential issues you should be aware of.
- One potential issue is that led bulbs can be more expensive than regular lightbulbs. However, the long-term savings and benefits outweigh the initial cost.
- Another potential issue is that some led bulbs may not fit into your fridge’s existing light fixture. However, several led bulbs on the market are specifically designed to fit into fridge light fixtures.
- The led bulb may not be waterproof, which means the led bulb could get wet.
- Also, the led bulb may not have been sealed off properly. So there could be a risk of electrocution if the led bulb comes into contact with water.
- The good news is that there are companies that make waterproof and sealed-off led bulbs specifically for refrigerators. So, if you’re looking to put led bulbs in your fridge, be sure to purchase one of these bulbs.
Things To Consider Before Getting An LED Bulb For Your Refrigerator
While there are many benefits to putting a led bulb in your refrigerator, it is not something you just get up and do. There are a few things you should consider before making the switch:
1. Make Sure The Led Bulb Is The Right Shape:
The first thing you need to consider is the shape of the led bulb. You want to make sure that it is the right shape for your fridge.
If you have a standard fridge, then you should be able to find a led bulb that will fit. However, if you have a smaller fridge, such as a mini-fridge, you might need to get a special led bulb. This is one of the LED lights that can be used in refrigerators.
2. Make Sure The Led Bulb Is Bright Enough:
The next thing you need to consider is the brightness of the led bulb. Again, you want to make sure that it is bright enough for your needs.
If you have a lot of food in your fridge, then you will want to get a brighter led bulb. However, if you only have a few items in your fridge, then you can get away with a less bright bulb.
3. Consider The Cost Of The Led Bulb:
You also need to consider the cost of the led bulb. While they are more expensive than regular lightbulbs, they will save you money in the long run.
If you are looking to save money on your electricity bill, then led bulbs are a great option. You should also consider the color of the light. Some people prefer a softer light, while others like a brighter light.
4. Ensure The Bulb Is Of The Right Size
This is such an important thing you need to figure out even before you attempt to put the bulb in your fridge. You don’t want to get a bulb that is too big or too small because then it will either not fit or not work properly.
Usually, many of the led bulbs that you can fit in refrigerators are the ones with the E14 diameter. Having said this, it is still essential to ask the seller to help you find an appropriate one or carry the bulb sample that was already initially installed in the fridge.
5. Make Sure The Led Bulb Has A Sold Case:
The last thing you need to consider is the case of the led bulb. You want to make sure that it is a solid case not to break easily.
Some led bulbs come with a glass, but you want to make sure that it is a solid plastic case that covers your led bulb so that it does not break easily.
Final Words
Led bulbs are a great way to save money on your electricity bill and help the environment. They produce very little heat, so they are perfect for use in refrigerators. Before buying an led bulb, make sure it is the right shape and size for your fridge and has a solid case.
I did not mean for this article to be long, but I felt the need to cover all the bases so that you’re well informed about putting an led bulb in a refrigerator.
I hope this article was helpful and that you will consider getting an led bulb for your fridge. Thanks for reading!