This is a good question as I know so many people who have complained about their lights getting too hot to touch. Generally speaking, desk lamps are not meant to produce heat and may only get warm during regular use.
This will depend on the bulb type, its wattage and how long it’s used for each day of course.
There are exceptions though where some desk lamps do get very hot or even burn your skin when touched which can be dangerous leading to problems like blisters etc. But more often than not, they shouldn’t be overly hot either.
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Desk Lamps Get hot
The bigger risk with these types of lamps is actually the cord that plugs into the mains socket of course because this usually becomes covered in dust and lint which can easily catch alight. So, you might want to clean the cord on your lamp every so often just to be sure.
As for how hot they get, even during extended use, it really depends on the type of heat produced by the light bulb itself together with factors like distance from the light source, angle of focus etc.
You will generally find that ‘cool’ lamps like LEDs remain cool to touch throughout their life whereas some traditional filament bulbs may become uncomfortably warm after long periods of continuous use without a break.
This is due mainly to the filament wire inside which becomes white hot over time leading to more noticeable heat build-up in certain areas.
The key here is to look for a desk lamp which has been designed with heat dissipation as one of its main features so that it doesn’t get overly hot during extended use.
This means purchasing one from a reputable company, not some cheap knock-offs from an unknown manufacturer.
Of course, there may be exceptions as noted above where some lamps produce heat as standard but this should be expected and you will generally know if they are too hot or not just by using them on a regular basis.
What should you do if the desk lamps get hot?
In terms of what you can do about it, well this really depends on how serious the problem is and whether you like to take precautions like I do… For instance, I don’t like to leave my lamp on for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time because I know that its heat output will only increase the longer it’s left on.
And if I need to use it during late evening or night, then I make sure I move it away from the wall and any other furniture which could also be at risk of catching fire like bed clothes etc.
You can purchase desk lamps with built-in fans as another solution as they actually blow hot air away up and out through the top of your light fitting; this may help keep your office cooler by circulating cool air instead.
Some companies even sell halogen bulbs now that don’t get as hot as standard models either but do remember you will still need to factor in electrical safety and lamp safety considerations if using these types of lamps.
Just remember, there is no such thing as a standard desk lamp and one size definitely does not fit all when it comes to getting the right type of office lighting.
But where possible, I always recommend LED lighting because it’s extremely bright, efficient, long lasting and cool running so should keep your work area cooler during use without any problems.
What should I do to cool my lamp?
As to what you could do about making your desk lamp less hot, well it really depends on the lamp’s design and features. Of course, if you can simply replace the bulb with one which doesn’t get as hot as LED lighting for instance, this is usually possible but you need to make sure that the replacement unit has identical wattage ratings for full compatibility.
Also check any air flow vents or fans have not been blocked up over time by dust etc. And if not, then there should be some kind of manual cooling fan inside somewhere which might also help circulate cool air during use too.
This may require opening up the unit itself so that you can access all areas safely but I find this approach works better than anything else in most cases.
Of course, it’s always worth checking with the manufacturer first if possible before doing anything else to make sure that any modification you try will not affect the warranty either.
How hot do these lamps get?
This is a difficult question to answer without specific data for each lamp because they all vary in design and features so by default may produce more or less heat as standard.
Some desk lamps like clip on desk lamps are specifically designed with heat dissipation as one of their main features so that they don’t get overly hot during extended use whereas others may produce more than enough heat to increase your body temperature slightly especially without adequate room ventilation etc.
Desk lamps can become very warm depending on wattage requirements, design and other factors but LED models are usually cool to the touch and don’t produce excessive heat output during use by default.
If you have a halogen or other type of lamp which gets too hot to handle then consider replacing the bulb with something less powerful which doesn’t get as hot… And if this is not possible, always try to move your office lighting away from any walls or furniture so that nothing can combust either!
Tips to prevent the desk lamp get hot
- Use an LED light bulb instead of another type, since it doesn’t get very hot like the halogen lamp.
- Adjust the height of the desk lamp according to your body height.
- Install a fan under the table just beside the lamp, this will help cool down and bring fresh air into your room.
- Place the desk lamp at least 30cm away from anything that can be potentially flammable such as: bedclothes, paper etc.
How to choose the right desk lamp?
If you are trying to find the right desk lamp for your office or study, it is best to consider certain things before making a purchase. As mentioned above, some lamps get very hot after using prolong.
Led Light
It is advisable to choose LED lighting which does not produce much heat during working hours.
These lights are energy efficient and give good light output even in high ambient light areas like offices. However, they often come with steep price tags but deliver more savings when they last for years without any maintenance cost.
Warranty
If you talk about quality, cost of each bulb is the most important criterias followed by warranty period provided by the manufacturer. If you need more than one bulb then it will be better to buy universal spare parts which can be fitted easily in future.
Design
If you are looking for the perfect match with your décor at home, then you need to choose one which is aesthetically appealing and blends in perfectly with other items around your living room or dinner table. This will give a good impression on guests while using it too.
Settings
For these reasons, go for lamps that come with dimmable settings so that you can get light of different levels according to your needs. Also check if the lamp has halogen bulbs so they get hot very fast but light up the whole room instantly!
Light bulb provides bright illumination needed by plant growth. Bulb emits more than enough heat so ensure there is no fire hazard near the growing area. Since most bulbs get hot during its use, this may cause your plant to dry out easily when in contact with too much heat for a long period.
Do not place your growing area near a window, direct sunlight will overheat the lamp and cause fire hazard. Best placed at a distance from any household items or materials that can combust when in contact with excessive heat. Most expensive lamp to purchase but pays back in the long run by not containing toxic chemicals such as mercury used in fluorescent tubes which require special disposal procedures including extra charges for this.
