Solved! How Long Do LED Lights Last?
Q: Lighting experts tout the longevity and potential money savings of LEDs, but is all that true? Are there ways to ensure I get the longest life possible out of my LED lights?
A: LED lights are known for their long lifespan, with many manufacturers printing the expected life directly on the packaging. This can range from 5 to 20 years, but there is more to the actual life of an LED than a simple manufacturer estimate. Many factors can influence the actual lifespan of the LED, including intense heat, a high frequency of use, and operating the LED light on a higher current than intended. So, how long do LED lights last?
The reality is that the lifespan of an LED light will typically fall within a range of about 4 to 6 years. For instance, an LED light could last 10 years, but it may only last for 8 if it’s frequently used outdoors in extremely hot temperatures, or it may last 12 years if the light is kept in a room-temperature location and rarely ever used. However, it should also be noted that even if an LED light does reach the manufacturer-indicated lifespan, the light will experience luminous decay, which reduces the light output of the LED over time.
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An LED’s lifespan has everything to do with how it is used.
The area, application, current, temperature, frequency of use, and even the way in which an LED light is used can affect the lifespan of the bulb, so while manufacturers will often provide an estimated life on the packaging, this shouldn’t be taken as the exact measurement. In fact, the only real way for an LED light manufacturer to know the exact lifespan of every bulb, regardless of use, would be planned obsolescence.
Instead of trying to pin down an exact lifespan, the manufacturer provides an estimate based on common usage in typical situations. If the LED light is used with the approximate frequency and in relatively similar circumstances it will likely last a bit longer than the estimate, but any substantial differences in frequency or circumstance can increase or decrease the life of the bulb.
Exposure to intense heat can dramatically reduce the lifespan of an LED light.
Like most electronic devices, LED lights are susceptible to extreme heat. They are generally made to be used at room temperature, which ranges from about 65 to 80 degrees, though they can also be used in a garage, shed, or outdoors. However, most LED lights function best when the temperature remains below 75 degrees.
When exposed to extreme heat, the temperature of the semiconducting element within the LED also increases, which has the effect of accelerating the degradation rate of the diodes. Contrary to popular belief, extreme cold does not reduce the lifespan of an LED. In fact, cool temperatures help to keep the semiconducting element at a moderate temperature, extending the life of the LED, making them a great option for colder climates.
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To prolong their lifespan, turn LED lights off when they’re not in use.
While LED light bulbs do have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, it’s still important to make sure most of the indoor lights are off when you go to bed, or that outdoor lights are turned off in the morning. This may seem like an obvious step to take, but simply turning the lights off when they aren’t being used extends the life of the bulb. After all, every second the light is on takes away from the total life of the LED, so it only makes sense that the light should be preserved for when it’s actually necessary.
A great way to ensure that all the lights are turned off around the home is to invest in a smart home system or even a lighting system with scheduling capabilities. This allows the user to set the time at which the lights will automatically turn off, so you can be confident that you aren’t wasting electricity and reducing the lifespan of the LED bulbs.
It should also be noted that, unlike incandescent and halogen bulbs, repeatedly turning an LED light on and off does not impact the lifespan of the bulb. The LED continues to function and the lifespan is reduced by the amount of time that the light was on, regardless of the number of times it was switched off and back on.
Running LED lights on higher currents than you should can shorten their lifespans.
Any type of electrical device comes with a specific operating range and LED lights are no different. Each LED is made to be used with a certain electrical current, which refers to the rate at which electricity flows into a circuit. When an LED bulb is used with an electrical current that is too low, the LED doesn’t have enough energy to produce the expected light output. Though, the benefit of this situation is that the LED actually lasts longer because it isn’t being used at its full capacity.
However, when an LED light is used with an electrical current that is too high, it will shine brighter in an attempt to use all of the energy that the circuit is receiving. This reduces the lifespan of the bulb, but it can also cause the light fixture and the LED circuit to overheat and burn out.
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LED light bulbs with well-designed heat sinks may last longer.
A heat sink is a component that is commonly used in electrical devices, like computers, cellphones, and LED lights to absorb and disperse excess heat, thereby cooling the internal components and circuitry of the device. Equipped with this information about the purpose of a heat sink, it shouldn’t be any surprise that LED lights with high-quality heat sinks typically last longer than identical LED lights with standard or low-quality heat sinks.
The better the design of the heat sink, the more capable it is at absorbing and dispersing the heat that is produced when the light is being used. This also helps to protect the circuitry from high ambient temperatures, making these premium bulbs a good choice for hot climates.
If your LED light burns out prematurely, check its manufacturer’s warranty or guarantee.
Depending on the product, an LED light may have a manufacturer’s warranty or guarantee that the bulb will last for a certain amount of time. Typically, LED warranties last for between three to five years, so if a bulb burns out after this time it is considered within the expected failure range. These warranties are somewhat helpful, but they generally only cover the cost of replacing the specific LED light, so the failure of a single LED bulb may not be worth jumping through the necessary hoops to make a warranty claim.
If you do decide to claim a warranty on a product, expect to have to send the product to the manufacturer where it will be tested to determine if it was used according to the manufacturer’s directions. After testing they will give you the results, indicating whether the LED will be replaced or reimbursed, or if the failure was due to a factor like user error or improper installation.
Outdoor lighting has been shown to cut crime rates by as much as 39%, especially at night. It also boosts your home's curb appeal and creates a welcoming ambiance.
If you don't currently have any outdoor LED lights at your home, you should consider installing some.
But, just like anything related to home improvement, LED lights are not free. Any time you spend money on your home, you want to know how long your investment will last.
Read on to learn the average lifespan of LED lights and what you can do to keep them working for as long as possible.
LED Lights vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs
First off, LED lights or light-emitting diodes work much differently than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They both create light using electricity, but that's where the similarities end.
Each LED bulb contains a diode which has excitable electrons inside. As electricity passes through them, they release photons which turn into light. While LED technology doesn't use heat to make light, the heat from the electricity that passes through it wears out the diodes over time.
Incandescent light bulbs have a filament inside that glows when electricity passes through it. It heats up and gets brittle over time. When the filament breaks, the light burns out.
How Is LED Lifespan Measured?
Incandescent lights burn out suddenly and completely. They either give 100% of their light or they're burnt out. In contrast, LED lights fade slowly over time before they burn out.
That's why they have different lifespan ratings. If an incandescent bulb has a rating of 1,200 hours, that means it will burn out after roughly 1,200 hours of use.
For LED lights, they base the lifespan rating on lumen maintenance. That's a measurement of light that an LED bulb emits when comparing a brand new one to an older one. L50 and L70 are common measurements of lumen maintenance.
If an LED light has an L70 rating at 30,000 hours, that means that a bulb that's 30,000 hours old will produce 70% of the light it produced when it was new. At 30,000 hours it will have lost 30% of its original brightness.
So, How Long Do Outdoor LED Lights Last?
LED lights last 25 times as long as incandescent bulbs. But, how will that translate to your home's particular usage?
The best way to know how long lights will last is to look at the hour rating. For example, if the LED rope lights or bulbs you're considering have a rating of 50,000 hours, that means they'll last for about five and half years. And that's if you plan to leave them on 24 hours a day.
That said, it's not always necessary or safe to leave outdoor lights on 24/7. It can actually void the warranty and make them wear out faster.
Maintaining Your Outdoor Lights
You can make your outdoor LEDs last longer by keeping up with outdoor light maintenance. If you care for your LED lights properly, you can protect your warranty and make the most of your investment.
Here are some things you can do to keep your outdoor lights shining for years to come.
1. Trim Nearby Bushes and Plants
You don't want an overgrown plant or bush to crush the glass on your LED flood light. Plus, the light won't shine as bright if something's covering it.
If you have lights in or near your garden, keep the plants trimmed so they don't cover the lights. This will prevent damage to the light fixture and extend its lifespan. It will also prevent water and snow from collecting on the light fixtures.
2. Clean LED Lights and Fixtures
Outdoor lighting is bound to get a little dirty now and then. The best way to extend the lifespan of your lighting is to keep the light fixtures and bulbs clean. Dirt and other debris can get inside and disrupt the LED function.
That means wiping off mud, removing leaves, or cleaning spider webs or insects. Even though insects aren't drawn to LED lights, they still live in the nearby plants.
2. Make Repairs as Soon as Possible
If you see a light that's not working or some exposed wires, deal with the problem right away. If you've had the light for a long time, it might be time for replacement. If not, it could signal an issue with your lighting system.
If you're not sure what the issue is, you can call the company that did the installation. If you installed the lights yourself, you can always call an electrician to investigate the issue.
Weatherproofing Your LED Strip Lights
While it's always best to choose weatherproof LEDs if you plan to use them outside, sometimes it's not an option. Luckily, you can weatherproof your LED strip lights in just a few minutes.
To create a water tight seal on the connetions to your lights start by wrapping the adhesive lined heat shrinkable tape around your lighting and connector; similar to how you would apply electrical tape. Place your heat shrink tubing over the lighting, connector, and tape. Shrink the tubing and tape using a heat gun. The adhesive will melt when the heat is applied, and solidify when cooled.
The minimum melting point of the adhesive is 95*C (204*F).
Now you can install your strip lights without worrying about weather damage. This process does not make the lights waterproof, only weatherproof. The lights are not designed to be submerged in water.
Shine a Light on Your Outdoor Space Today
Outdoor LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours with the right maintenance and care. If you'd like to improve your home's ambiance and safety, you can't go wrong with eco-friendly and long-lasting LED lighting.
If you're in need of dependable LED lights for your home, Birddog Lighting can help. We offer everything from LED rope lighting and strip lights to LED bulbs and fixtures. Browse our website or request a free catalog to see our product collection.