My home office is great but the overhead light with two 60 watt bulbs is kind of dim. One bulb recently needed replacement so I put a 100 watt in its place. I checked the inside of the light and it says 60 watt max. With one 60 and one 100 watt – am I asking for trouble, or good to go?
Not ideal but I would say it is built to take it, have you looked into different style bulbs to generate better light?
Not really, I was out of 60’s and popped the 100 in there and its great – just don’t want to burn the house down. Usually the only time its on is when I’m in there…but don’t want to be foolish about it either.
Drop in a pair of LED 60 watt sunlight bulbs.
Do not use a lamp over 60 watts. The reason is heat. See if a 23 watt warm or warm white instant start cfl (compact fluorescent) will work. A 23 watt cfl is equivalent to 100 watts incandesent.
Yeah, don’t go over a 60, it says that for a reason. I had some melting issues a long time ago.
DON,T DO IT!!!!! 
I know. 
Long story. 
Like others said its not reccomended due to heat. Most new lights have thermo sensors that will cut the light out if there is to much heat and turn back on when it cools down. No the case with older fixtures.
Thx all – I am going to look into the LED 60 watt sunlight bulbs. Any other suggestions along those lines?
I went to Lowe’s and looked at LED lights – 2 for $30 is a lot. Two CFL bulbs were less money and the 60 watt had higher lumens (900) which the clerk told me would be brighter than the 60 watt LED (800 lumens). So I took the CFL home and installed. Still too dim. Any other suggestions – would LED be brighter even though less lumens?
Buy the 25 watt cfl. That is equivalent to 100 watts incandesent.
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I went to Lowe’s and looked at LED lights – 2 for $30 is a lot. Two CFL bulbs were less money and the 60 watt had higher lumens (900) which the clerk told me would be brighter than the 60 watt LED (800 lumens). So I took the CFL home and installed. Still too dim. Any other suggestions – would LED be brighter even though less lumens?
Should have got the LED’s Twenty yr life and bright like sunlight.90%less energy use.Whats not to like?
You could buy a new fixture, one that has three bulbs in it.
Would an LED with 800 lumens really be brighter than a CFL with 900 lumens? I’m willing to spend the extra $30 if you think it would make difference… I get they last longer but brightness is my primary issue..
Simply put, no. Lumens are a measurement of the amount of light it gives off. In comparison, 800 gallons of water is less than 900 gallons, as 800 lumens is less light than 900. 
So the conclusion is the 60 watt LED would not make difference..??
Not in light, but in energy use and longevity, yes. I read you are after more lighting, so someone suggested get a 3 bulb fixture, or just get a 100 watt fixture if your happy with that amount of light 
Maybe a trip to the eye Dr is the answer 
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So the conclusion is the 60 watt LED would not make difference..??
lumens are not the only way to perceive light.All the information is out there for you to research.We have sunlight bulbs in kitchen fixtures and they make a world of difference.I use a 15 watt Macbeth light at work when doing quality checks and it will dam near blind you.Educate yourself then make your decision .My whole house is now LED and my bill went from120 a month to 35 to 45 bucks a month.
Ok…I’m doing research and trying to learn here… Could you put two 75 watt LED lights in – even though the light fixture is only rated for two 60 watt bulbs…because the 75 watt LED is listed at (14 watts) and would be cooler and not start the house on fire?
Yes. The LED is listed at 14 watts. The 75 watt number is only a reference to light output of a incandescent bulb.
Will it be too hot for the 60 watt light fixture? Don’t want to start a fire? The extra brightness is what I need but don’t want other problems though either. Thx..
May be this will help.
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57575907-285/five-things-to-consider-before-buying-led-bulbs/
From what I read the led has to be approved for a closed fixture. I would stay away from a led for that fixture at this time.
Bruce, thanks for the links…I’ve learned a lot. I also ended up talking to the dept manager at Lowe’s. Here’s what I decided – to go with: two 75 watt LED lights. He said they will generate a fraction of the heat that normal 60 watt incandescent lights do and won’t cause a fire hazard.
So, $60 later, I have the two 75 LED’s in my office and the light level seems to be much better. Time will tell if its bright enough but I think so. And these LED’s are supposed to last 20 years…probably longer than I will 
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