Range hoods sit on top of stoves in the kitchen and are subjected to intense heat and fumes on a daily basis. For this reason, their components are designed to withstand high temperatures without deterioration. This can also be said for the lights that come with them. Usually, range hoods have halogen lights or heat-resistant LED lights. Your range hood should not have normal bulbs as they can burn out quickly. Bulbs that are suitable for range hoods must have certain qualities in them. So, what type of bulb works best for range hoods? Allow us to shed some ‘light’ on the subject!
LEDs or halogen bulbs are the top best when it comes to choosing a bulb for a range hood. You also have incandescent bulbs as an option but both incandescent and halogen are quickly becoming uncommon because of several reasons. Firstly, they pose a threat to our climate. Secondly, they are expensive and require more energy to function. Ever since the last two decades, LED bulbs have been replacing halogen and incandescent bulbs in our homes, but there’s still time before they fully replace them in range hoods.
Does the range hood need special bulbs?
The short answer is that yes, range hoods do require special bulbs to brighten your stove. You might be convinced to have the regular ones changed to add more color or light to your kitchen, but it’s not that simple. As we mentioned that range hoods are subjected to a substantial amount of heat, their bulbs must be strong enough to not shatter. Unfortunately, heat energy is not all that the bulb would be facing. Range hood bulbs are also exposed to grease, vibration, and moisture. A normal bulb doesn’t have to undergo such extreme conditions every day, but a range hood bulb does.
So, the qualities you should be looking for in your ideal range hood bulb are:
- Heat-resistance
- Moisture-resistance
- Vibration-resistance
- Won’t shatter
- Extra durability
You obviously won’t be going around asking for each of these characteristics from a lights shop, but it’s recommended to look for these features. Moreover, you should be willing to compromise a bit on brightness and color as those shouldn’t be your top priorities.
Recommended wattage of range hood bulbs
Most range hoods come with incandescent or halogen bulbs with a wattage of either 15, 25, or 40. However, the rise of LED lights has changed the game. As we all know they’re energy-efficient, now most hoods with LED bulbs come with a wattage of just 1.5. You can always check the wattage of the bulbs by reading the info printed on the box they come in or a sticker behind the bulb itself. Generally speaking, the bulbs you’re using for the range hood should not come with a high wattage especially if they are LED. LED bulbs with extra wattage levels usually cannot withstand this much heat. You can aim for a high wattage if you’re going for halogen or incandescent bulbs, otherwise, it’s a big no for LEDs.
Can I use an LED bulb in my stove range hood?
Yes, you can use an LED bulb for your range hood as long as it’s particularly suitable for the job. LED bulbs are way better than halogen and incandescent. They are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and durable. However, finding an LED bulb for your range hood that can withstand dirt, grease, fumes, heat, and vibration is also essential. Stoves in kitchens emit a massive volume of toxicities and fumes that your daily life LED bulb won’t be able to handle. Therefore, all you have to do is look for LED bulbs that are specifically designed for range hoods.
If your range hood didn’t come with an LED bulb and came with a halogen one instead, it’s best to stick to halogen bulbs. Refer to the unit’s instruction manual where you’ll likely find the most appropriate recommendation. It’s always best to stick to what your range hood came with. Furthermore, halogens use AC while LED lights use DC. Using an LED bulb for a 12V AC can cause it to burn out since LEDs need a driver to regulate current. So, it’s not always possible to swap between the two easily.
Halogen vs LED range hood lights
| Halogen | LED |
| Short life expectancy (2000-5000 hours) | Long life expectancy (15,000-40,000 hours) |
| Consumes more electricity | Consumes very little electricity |
| Burns skin if touched | Does not burn the skin if touched |
| Harmful for the environment | Environmentally friendly |
| Can be dimmed | Most LEDs cannot be dimmed |
| Cheap | Expensive |
Deciding which type of light to go for your range hood can be difficult, so we’ve stated the main distinguishing features of your top choices in the table above. The reason we didn’t include incandescent lights in the comparison is that their use is uncommon. Halogen lights are just a better version of incandescent. So, at the end of the day, the final decision will be made between halogen and LED.
As shown in the table, halogen lights have a short life, draw more power, and even burn your hand if you touch them shortly after the operation. Though there are certain qualities in them that undoubtedly count as advantages, they’re not that significant. For example, you have the low-cost factor as well as the dimming feature. As a matter of fact, the only reason halogen lights are still relevant today is that they are cheap and ideal for short-term use. The dimming feature is nothing too special as some LEDs come with that too.
Coming to halogen’s competition, LEDs are way better in almost every aspect. They’re safe, consume less power, and don’t pose a threat to our plant, unlike halogen lights. Though their price tag might seem to be a con for some, the ROI is just too good to be ignored. An LED can last for up to 40,000 hours; that’s around 20x more than the life expectancy of an average halogen bulb. So, the final verdict is pretty clear at this point. Since LED bulbs outweigh halogens in advantages, they are much better for your range hood.
Can I replace halogen lights with LEDs on the range hood?
Now that we’ve made clear that LEDs are better than halogens, the next thing in your mind would likely be changing halogens with LEDs. Yes, halogens can be replaced with LEDs on your range hood, but only if the range hood is compatible with them. Halogens typically require more volts as compared to LEDs. Let’s assume you have a range hood that works well with halogen bulbs. If you replace those halogen lights with LEDs, there’s a high chance that the LEDs would be subjected to an overdrive. LEDs need a driver to regulate the voltage, otherwise more voltage would lead them to either work improperly or burn out. So, the bottom line is that you must ensure your hood works well with LEDs before replacing halogen lights with them.
How to change range hood light
Once you’ve chosen a suitable light for your range hood, it’s time to replace it with the existing one. Here’s how you can do that:
Step 1: Cut Power
Before starting the replacement, cut off the range hood’s power by pulling its plug out. Make sure it has no connection with an electric source. If the lights were lit shortly before, wait till they cool down before you touch them.
Step 2: Remove the old light
The old light bulb of your range hood can be taken out by rotating it counter-clockwise 60 degrees. You might find it hard to rotate due to a lack of friction. Consider using a bulb suction cup for this purpose. Once the rotation path ends, the bulb will come right down easily.
Step 3: Install the new light
Use the suction cup on the new light bulb and hold it up into place. Rotate the bulb just as you did previously but this time do it clockwise. Rotate until the bulb sticks to the top. Remember to not tighten it too much.
Conclusion
Changing the hood’s light bulb wasn’t so hard, right? Well, the same can be said about choosing the right light for your range hood. All you have to do is keep the qualities we mentioned in mind and the bulb will certainly keep your kitchen bright for a lifetime.
