Lighting in your home

This includes light bulbs, pull cords, fluorescent tubes, strip light starters and light bulbs in sealed units.

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Please note that this does not include security lighting, please search for this separately under solve an issue.

Do you need to replace the light bulb contained within a sealed light unit (not fixed with screws)? Back to top

Replacing light bulbs is your responsibility. If it is safe and you feel confident enough to replace a bulb within a sealed light until, here is how you can do this safely. 

You will need:

  • step ladder 
  • a new lightbulb (for example a 2D bulb)
  • a flat head screwdriver.

Before you begin:

  • make sure power to the light is turned off
  • wear flat shoes
  • don’t overreach. 

How to replace the bulb:

  • To remove the light casing cover, turn the cover anticlockwise to unlock it. If the cover doesn’t turn, use a flat head screwdriver to pry it open. You will now be able to access the old lightbulb. 
  • Pull the old lightbulb downwards from the middle and it will come away from the unit.
  • Check what type of bulb fitting has been used and replace the old light bulb with a new bulb of the same style and power wattage (e.g. 16W).  
  • To fit the new lightbulb, click this into position, once the new bulb is in position you can refit the sealed cover. 
  • Twist the sealed cover until it locks into position.
  • You can now turn the power back on to the light to test the new lightbulb is working.

Do you need to replace the lightbulb contained in a screw secured sealed light unit? Back to top

Replacing light bulbs is your responsibility. If it is safe and you feel confident enough to replace a bulb within a sealed light until, here is how you can do this safely. 
You will need:

  • step ladder 
  • a new lightbulb
  • a crosshead screwdriver
  • a flat head screwdriver.

Before you begin:

  • make sure power to the light is turned off
  • wear flat shoes
  • don’t overreach. 

How to replace the bulb:

  • Using a cross head screwdriver remove the screws securing the cover in place and pull the cover off once they have been removed. You will now be able to access the old lightbulb. 
  • Pull the lightbulb downwards from the middle and it will come away from the unit.
  • Check what type of bulb fitting has been used and replace it with a new bulb of the same style and power wattage (for example 16W).  
  • To fit the new lightbulb, click this into position.
  • Once the new bulb is in position you can refit the sealed cover. 
  • Refit the light cover by screwing the screws back into position.
  • You can now turn the power back onto the light to test the new lightbulb.

Do you need to replace a light pull cord? Back to top

Replacing a light pull cord is your responsibility. If it is safe and you feel confident enough to replace this, here is how you can do this safely. 

  • First turn off all the power.
  • Your light switch will be fitted inside a screw secured compartment. 
  • Twist the case to the left to loosen it and free it from the ceiling. 
  • Using a screwdriver, disconnect three cables. They might be a red cable, a black cable in a brown sleeve (this is the live switch) and a green and yellow sleeved cable (this is the earthed cable).
  • Unscrew the base from the ceiling. This will free the pull cord.
  • Now fit the new pull cord mount. 
  • Reconnect the earthed cable into the earth terminal.
  • Find your new pull cord switch. 
  • Fit the red cable into the common terminal and the black cable in a brown sleeve into the other terminal. This may be labelled L1.
  • Once all the cables are attached you can now fit the pull cord compartment cover using a screwdriver. 
  • Turn the power back on to start using the new light switch.

Do you need to replace a fluorescent tube strip light bulb? Back to top

Replacing light bulbs is your responsibility. If it is safe and you feel confident enough to replace a fluorescent tube strip light bulb, here is how you can do this safely. 

You will need:

  • a step ladder
  • a torch 
  • a new strip light bulb (for example 5 ft 58W).

How to fit the new strip light

  • Turn off power to the light. If you are unsure about which electrical breaker this relates to turn off the power off at the mains by pulling the red and labelled ‘main switch’ downwards. 
  • Carefully climb the step ladder. 
  • Remove the light cover by pulling the casing backwards slightly to free it from a locked position. Put the case safely against a wall and out of the way so you have your hands free. 
  • Remove the old strip light, turn the bulb 90 degrees to free it from the lock and put it somewhere safe.
  • Attach the new strip light bulb by slotting the metal prongs into the holes and turning it 90 degrees to lock it into the bulb holder.
  • Reattach the cover by pulling the casing back slightly which will lock the cover back into position. 
  • Turn the power back on by pulling the ‘main switch’ up.
  • Turn on the light switch to test that it is working. 

Have you changed the bulb and your light still is not working? Back to top

If you have changed the bulb and your light still isn't working, the light unit may be faulty. Use our Report a repair tool to report this fault and we will send one of our repairs team to fix it.