About GoodBulb
Collapsible content
Are GoodBulb bulbs really made in the USA?
Yes. GoodBulb manufactures LED A19 bulbs at our own factory in Fargo, North Dakota, the only factory in America making them. Some specialty and commercial products in our catalog are sourced to our standards from trusted partners; each product page tells you which is which.
What makes GoodBulb different from the bulbs at the big box store?
Three things. First, we redesigned the bulb itself: our own LED circuit board and body, engineered to run cooler, last longer, and be built by automation instead of cheap hand labor. Second, we build our bulbs to last instead of building them to fail. Most big-brand retail LEDs are made to around 8,000 hours, and we engineer for far longer. Third, a portion of every order sends light to families living without electricity.Ā
Do you sell wholesale, bulk, or to businesses?
Yes to all. We manufacture our own American-made LEDs and, as a lighting disruptor, we can source over 50,000 products for commercial, government, and bulk buyers. Start on our For Business page or call GoodBulb at 701.205.4953.
Do your bulbs come with a warranty?
Yes. Coverage varies by product line and is listed on each product page and on our Warranty page. If a bulb fails from a defect in its coverage window, we make it right, usually with a credit toward your next order.
Where can I buy GoodBulb bulbs?
Directly at GoodBulb.com and from our authorized resellers. Buying direct or from an authorized seller is the only way your warranty applies.
Orders, Shipping & Returns
Collapsible content
How do I change or cancel my order?
Call GoodBulb at 701.205.4953 or email customercare@goodbulb.com during business hours (8AM to 5PM CT, Monday to Friday). If it hasnāt shipped, weāll catch it.
How fast do orders ship, and what does shipping cost?
Shipping is free, and most orders ship the same day. See our Shipping & Returns page for processing times, express upgrades, and details for Alaska, Hawaii, and P.O. boxes.
What is your return policy?
Unused bulbs in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days at no cost to you, and up to 60 days at your shipping expense. Damaged or defective items are handled separately and fast. Full details are on the Shipping & Returns page.
A bulb arrived damaged. What do I do?
Contact us within 5 business days at customercare@goodbulb.com or call GoodBulb at 701.205.4953 before sending anything back, and weāll credit, refund or replace right away.Ā
Can I pick up my order in Fargo?
Yes. Local pickup is available at 4211 12th Ave N, Fargo, ND. Call GoodBulb at 701.205.4953 to arrange it.
Choosing the Right Bulb
Collapsible content
How many lumens do I need to replace my old bulb?
Lumens measure brightness. Watts only measure energy use. Here is the quick translation from old incandescent wattage to the brightness (lumens) you want in an LED:
- 40W incandescent = about 450 lumens
- 60W incandescent = about 800 lumens
- 75W incandescent = about 1,100 lumens
- 100W incandescent = about 1,600 lumens
An LED hits those brightness levels using roughly 80 to 90 percent less energy. A 60W-equivalent LED typically draws only 8 to 10 watts.
What color temperature should I choose?
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and sets the mood of the light:
- 2700K, warm white: cozy and yellow-toned. Best for living rooms and bedrooms.
- 3000K, soft white: warm but a little cleaner. Great for kitchens and bathrooms.
- 3500K to 4000K, neutral to cool white: crisp and bright. Good for garages, offices, and task areas.
- 5000K, daylight: bluish white, like midday sun. Best for workshops, security, and detail work.
What is the difference between soft white and daylight?
Soft white (around 2700K to 3000K) is warm and relaxing. Daylight (around 5000K) is cool and energizing. Same bulb shape, very different feel in a room.
What bulb shape and base do I need?
The most common household bulb is an A19 with a standard E26 (medium screw) base, the classic bulb shape. Bigger fixtures may take an A21. Chandeliers often use candelabra (E12) bases. Check the old bulbās markings, or send us a photo and weāll identify it.
Can I use any LED bulb in an enclosed fixture?
Only if it is rated for enclosed fixtures. Trapped heat shortens the life of a bulb that isnāt built for it. Look for āenclosed fixture ratedā on the box, or ask us.
Which bulbs can I use outdoors?
Use an LED rated for damp or wet locations, depending on whether itās covered or exposed. Outdoor-rated LEDs are sealed against moisture and temperature swings.
Are your LED bulbs dimmable?
Many are, but not all, so check the product page. A dimmable LED also needs an LED-compatible dimmer switch to dim smoothly.
LED Basics
Collapsible content
What does LED stand for?
Light Emitting Diode. Instead of heating a filament like an old bulb, an LED passes electricity through a semiconductor to make light, which is why it wastes so little energy as heat.
How are LEDs different from incandescent and CFL bulbs?
LEDs use far less energy, last far longer, turn on instantly at full brightness, and contain no mercury. Incandescents waste most of their energy as heat. CFLs are more efficient than incandescent but contain mercury and are slow to warm up.
Do LED bulbs get hot?
They produce some heat, but far less than incandescent bulbs, and a heat sink pulls it away from the light. The glass stays cool enough to touch.
Are LED bulbs safe?
Yes. They run cool, contain no mercury, and donāt use a hot filament, which lowers the risk of burns or fire.
Do LED bulbs contain mercury?
No.Ā Unlike CFLs, LEDs contain no mercury.
Saving Money & Energy
Collapsible content
Do LED bulbs actually save money?
Yes. An LED costs a little more up front but uses up to 80 to 90 percent less electricity and lasts many times longer, so it pays for itself in lower power bills and far fewer replacements.
How long do LED bulbs last?
Quality LEDs are rated for 25,000 to 50,000 hours. At a few hours a day, thatās many years. Be careful with cheap retail LEDs, which are often built to only 8,000 to 10,000 hours.
Are LEDs energy efficient?
Very. LEDs convert most of their energy into light instead of heat, using up to 80 to 90 percent less power than incandescent bulbs for the same brightness.
Troubleshooting
Collapsible content
Why do my LED bulbs flicker?
Usually one of three things: the bulb isnāt compatible with your dimmer, the bulb is loose in the socket, or the bulb is failing. If a new bulb still flickers, the fixture wiring or dimmer is the likely cause.
Why do my LEDs flicker only when dimmed?
Ā The dimmer probably isnāt LED-compatible. Old dimmers were built for high-wattage incandescent loads. An LED-rated dimmer fixes most dimming flicker.
Can I put a dimmable bulb in a regular (non-dimmable) socket?
Yes. A dimmable LED works fine in a standard on/off socket. It simply wonāt dim.
Why did my LED bulb burn out early?
Common causes are using it in an enclosed fixture it wasnāt rated for, a wrong or incompatible dimmer, voltage issues in the fixture, or a low-quality bulb. If a GoodBulb fails early within its warranty, contact us and weāll make it right.
My LED buzzes or hums. Why?
Usually a dimmer mismatch or a loose connection. Try an LED-compatible dimmer, and make sure the bulb is seated firmly.
Technical & Specs
Collapsible content
What are lumens?
Lumens measure how much visible light a bulb puts out. More lumens means brighter light. Shop by lumens, not watts.
What is CRI (Color Rendering Index)?
CRI rates how true colors look under a light, on a scale of 0 to 100. Higher is better. A high-CRI bulb makes skin, food, and paint colors look natural, close to daylight.
What does color temperature (Kelvin) mean?
Kelvin describes the color of the light itself. Lower Kelvin (2200K to 3000K) is warm and yellow. Higher Kelvin (4000K to 6500K) is cool and blue-white.
What is an LED driver?
Itās the small electronic component that regulates power to the LED. A quality driver is the difference between a bulb that lasts and one that dies early. Cheap drivers are the number one reason budget LEDs fail.
How is a bulbās rated life determined?
Manufacturers test a batch of bulbs and record when half of them burn out. That midpoint is the Average Rated Life. Some bulbs last longer, some shorter.
What is the difference between 120-volt and 130-volt bulbs?
Standard U.S. household voltage is 120 volts. A 130-volt bulb run on 120 volts lasts longer and better resists power surges, though it can run slightly dimmer.
How do I know what wattage to use in my fixture?
Check the fixtureās printed wattage and voltage limits and stay within them. Because LEDs use so little power, you can hit the same brightness while drawing a fraction of the watts, well under most fixture limits.
What is an ANSI code?
An American National Standards Institute designation that standardizes a bulbās specs (wattage, voltage, shape, base) so replacements match.
How is the length of a bulb measured?
End to end, including the base. This measurement is called the Maximum Overall Length, or M.O.L.
Do LEDs emit UV light?
Standard lighting LEDs emit little to no UV, which is why they attract fewer bugs and are gentler on fabrics and artwork. Special UV LEDs exist for specific uses.
Recycling & Disposal
Collapsible content
Can I throw LED bulbs in the regular trash?
LEDs contain no mercury, so they arenāt hazardous waste, but recycling is the better choice. Many hardware stores and local waste programs accept them. Check with your local waste service or purchase a recycle box at GoodBulb.com
Do LEDs attract fewer bugs?
Yes. Because they give off little heat and UV, LEDs draw far fewer insects than old incandescent bulbs, especially warm-white LEDs.
A little light humor
Collapsible content
Why did the LED bulb join a dating app?
It was looking for a connection that wouldnāt leave it screwed and abandoned in a dim situation.
Why did the light bulb fail its test?
It kept going out during the exam.