FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in TheraBulb. On this page you will find answers to common questions about our products. If your topic is not addressed on this page, contact us through the contact form or via email at support@therabulb.co.uk
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Bubbles: I noticed some bubbles in the glass on the bulb. Does this mean there is something wrong with it?
No. The red light and near infrared energy emitted by the bulb is produced by the filament inside. Occasionally there are air bubbles in the glass, but this does not affect the red light or near infrared energy output of the bulb.
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Color: One of the bulbs is a darker shade of red than the others. Will this make it work better than the others?
No. The red color of the bulbs is due to a color mixed into the glass. The purpose of the red color is to filter out some of the visible light to keep the bulbs from being overly bright. There is some occasional color variation among the bulbs, but this does not affect the near infrared energy output of the bulb.
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Darkness: Will the bulbs be more effective if I use them in a dark room?
The output of the bulb and its effects are the same whether it is used in a lighted or dark room.
Difference Between Bulbs: How do the Incandescent and LED bulbs compare?
In this chart we compare our incandescent and LED bulbs across multiple criteria.
Dimmer: Can I use this bulb on a dimmer?
You can use the bulbs in a lamp that is on a dimmer so long as the lamp and the dimmer (if a separate device) are rated for the wattage of the bulb before dimming. For the Near Infrared Bulb - 150 Watt, this means the lamp and dimmer need to be rated to operate bulbs with a wattage of 150 watts or greater. For the Near Infrared Bulb - 250 Watt, the lamp and dimmer need to be rated to operate bulbs with a wattage of 250 watts or greater. For the Near Infrared Bulbs - 300 Watt, the lamp and dimmer need to be rated to operate bulbs with a wattage of 300 watts or greater.
Disposal: How should I dispose of a broken or burned out bulb?
TheraBulb bulbs are RoHS certified, meaning they are free of toxic substances. They require no special disposal. They can be disposed of per your community's guidelines for household light bulbs.
Domestic Shipping: For information about domestic shipping, please visit our Shipping FAQs page.
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EMF: Do these bulbs emit EMF?
TheraBulb incandescent bulbs emit virtually no EMF by design. When submitted to an independent lab for testing, the following result was provided by the lab: "Due to the fact that these are incandescent bulb (sic), the EMF values are extremely low and at or below the resolution of the measurement equipment."
TheraBulb's LED bulb has been tested and its EMF emissions were recorded at .03mT.
To read more about EMF and light bulbs, click here.
Eye Protection: Do I need to wear anything to protect my eyes when using the bulbs?
We recommend protective eyewear because the brightness of the bulbs can cause discomfort. Most of our customers use tanning goggles.
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Heat: How hot do these bulbs get?
Laboratory testing has determined that the Near Infrared Bulb-150W reaches a maximum temperature of 518 degrees Fahrenheit, the Near Infrared Bulb-250W reaches a maximum temperature of 572 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Near Infrared Bulb-300W reaches a maximum temperature of 589 degrees Fahrenheit. The NIR-A Near Infrared LED Bulb remains cool to the touch.
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International Shipping: For information about international shipping, please visit our Shipping FAQs page.
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Lamp: What kind of lamp can I use to operate the TheraBulb?
First of all, you will want to choose a lamp that is rated to operate bulbs with a wattage equal to or greater than that of the bulb. This means, a lamp rated at 300W or greater for the Near Infrared Bulb - 300 Watt, a lamp rated at 250W or greater for the Near Infrared Bulb - 250 Watt, a lamp rated at 150W or greater for the Near Infrared Bulb - 150 Watt, and a lamp rated at 5W or higher for the NIR-A Near Infrared LED Bulb. You can usually find the maximum wattage of the lamp stamped on the socket or on a sticker placed on the socket.
Lead: Do these bulbs contain lead?
No. TheraBulb bulbs are RoHS certified. This means that they are free of substances covered in the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC. These substances include lead, mercury, and Teflon.
LED: I bought an LED bulb but only some of the diodes light up Is this normal?
Yes, and in fact all of the diodes are receiving and emitting energy, but the near infrared diodes put out energy that is invisible to the naked eye.
Lifespan: How long do these bulbs last?
While the lifespan of the bulbs will vary, we offer a one year replacement warranty.
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Maximizing Bulb Life: How do I keep my bulb from burning out too soon?
Believe it or not, there are right and wrong ways to screw in a light bulb. Screwing the bulb into the socket too tightly can cause it to burn out prematurely. This is because doing so can flatten the part of the socket (an angled brass tab) that makes contact with the bottom of the bulb, and it is this contact that allows the bulb to light up. If the tab becomes flattened, the bulb can burn out too soon.
The bulb should be screwed in just enough for it to stay in place when you release your grip on it. Once the bulb is in this position, stop screwing it in. Screwing it further can flatten the tab.
Mercury: Do these bulbs contain mercury?
No. TheraBulb bulbs are RoHS certified. This means that they are free of substances covered in the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC. These substances include lead, mercury, and Teflon.
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Overseas Use: Can I use these bulbs outside of the US?
Yes. TheraBulb has designed all of our bulb and lamp models for use in 110V/120V electrical systems. 110V/120V is the standard for Canada, the US, Mexico, and several other countries. Additionally, we offer versions of our Near Infrared Bulb - 150 Watt and Near Infrared Bulb - 250 Watt for use in 220V/240V electrical systems. 220V/240V is the standard for Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and much of South America. Our NIR-A Near Infrared LED Bulb is a universal voltage bulb, meaning it can be used in 110V-250V electrical systems without an adapter. If you are unsure about your country’s electrical standard, click here.
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Pets: Are TheraBulb bulbs safe for use around pets?
Yes, as described above, our bulbs are free from toxic substances. However, you will need to observe the same safety measures you would when using any other heat-producing electrical device around pets.
Plants: Can I use these bulbs to grow plants?
No. You will need a full spectrum bulb to grow plants. TheraBulb is not a full spectrum bulb.
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Red: Why Are TheraBulb bulbs red? Most near infrared bulbs are red in color and do emit red light; however the red color in the glass is unrelated to the type of energy emitted. The bulbs are made of red glass to dampen the amount of visible light that comes through. To a lesser extent, it has become customary for broad spectrum / near infrared bulbs to be red in color.
The feature of near infrared bulbs that actually produces red light is the filament. Among the energy produced by the filament is light within the 635 nm – 699 nm wavelength range, which is red light. Near infrared is 700nm – 1000 nm. TheraBulb emits energy from 390 nm – 1000 nm, meaning that it can be used by those seeking red light, near infrared, or both. For additional details, click here.
Replacement: Can I use a TheraBulb bulb to replace the bulb in my infrared lamp? You can use TheraBulb as a replacement bulb so long as the socket is type E26 / E27 and the TheraBulb is the same size as or smaller than the original bulb. If it is shorter, you may need a bulb extender. For more details, click here.
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Safety: Have these bulbs been safety tested?
TheraBulb bulbs bear the CE mark, meaning that they meet the safety standards for their product category. These can be viewed here. (The standards are presented in Annex I.)
Shipping: For information about international shipping, please visit our Shipping FAQs page.
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Tanning: Will these bulbs give me a sun tan?
No. TheraBulb NIR-A Near Infrared bulbs do not emit ultra violet light, which is required for tanning.
Teflon: Do these bulbs contain Teflon?
No. TheraBulb bulbs are RoHS certified. This means that they are free of substances covered in the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC. These substances include lead, mercury, and Teflon.
Testing: Have these bulbs been tested to confirm that they emit near infrared?
Yes. An independent laboratory, ISO 17025-certified lab verified the wavelength output of the bulbs as well as their EMF emissions and maximum operating temperature.
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Uniqueness of Product: Are TheraBulb bulbs re-branded versions of less expensive bulbs?
No. Our bulbs are manufactured for us, in our own factory.
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Vitamin D: Does this give the same Vitamin D benefits of the sun?
No. TheraBulb NIR-A Near Infrared bulbs do not facilitate the synthesis of Vitamin D in the human body because they do not emit ultra violet light.
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Warm Up: Do the bulbs need to “warm up” before they become effective?
No. The bulbs begin emitting visible light and near infrared energy at full output as soon as they are turned on.
Wavelength: What is the nanometer rating on these bulbs?
- Incandescent Bulbs (150W-120V, 150W-240V, 250W-120V, 250W-240V, 300W-120V): Independent laboratory testing has verified that TheraBulb bulbs emit energy in the 390 nm to 1000 nm range. This includes the visible light spectrum (390 nm – 699 nm) and the near infrared range (700 nm – 1000 nm).
- LED Bulbs: Independent laboratory testing has verified that TheraBulb LED bulbs emit visible light in 590 nm - 690 nm and near infrared in 770 nm - 855 nm.
Wavelength: What is the peak output of these bulbs?
Independent laboratory testing has verified that TheraBulb incandescent bulbs emit peak energy output at 750 nm and TheraBulb LED bulbs emit peak energy at 845 nm.
Why TheraBulb: How are TheraBulb bulbs different from infrared bulbs that are much less expensive?
TheraBulb is an infrared incandescent bulb. It’s one of several brands of infrared incandescent bulbs on the market. These bulbs can be used for a number of purposes, including heating an entryway, heating food on a buffet, keeping newly-hatched poultry warm, and heat/light therapy. TheraBulb products are designed for heat/light therapy. What this means is:
- They bear the CE mark and are RoHS certified, indicating that they are free of lead, mercury, Teflon and other hazardous substances and meet specific safety standards.
- They are accompanied by a safety precautions guide that specifically pertains to human use.
- We, the manufacturer, offer technical support – excluding medical advice – related to the use of the bulbs.
- TheraBulb bulbs have been independently laboratory tested to provide verified information on:
- Intensity / Irradiance: the concentration of emitted energy at a given distance from the bulb
- Output Distribution: the percentage of each kind of energy emitted by the bulb
- EMF emissions
- Maximum Operating Temperature
