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Factors that Can Shorten the Lifespan of LED Lights

When comparing different lighting options for your home or business, it’s easy to see why LEDs are fast becoming the go-to choice for many consumers. Unlike traditional incandescent lights, these models are built to be energy efficient, safer, and more environmentally friendly. Not only that, but the LED lifespan is a lot longer than incandescents as well.

LED Lifespan

But how long do LED lights last on average? A single bulb will work for up to a decade or more, but sometimes they may burn out in much less time. If that’s the case, then you have to look at the variables that might be cutting your bulb’s life short.

Today we’re going to discuss the most common issues that can diminish your LED’s performance, as well as what you can do to minimize its effect.

Ambient Temperature

Although LED bulbs are not as susceptible to degree changes as incandescent models, that doesn’t mean that they are impervious to damage. Typically speaking, your light needs to be in a moderate temperature range of about 50-80 degrees. If it’s exposed to intense heat or cold, then that can affect its ability to illuminate.

Usually, it’s LED bulbs for outside lights that stay outside all year round that are most affected by these changes in the weather. During the bitter cold of the winter, it can take longer for the light to warm up and get bright. In the sweltering summer heat, it may shut off to cool down when it gets too hot.

Overall, putting your LED lights in such volatile environments is going to shorten their lifespan. Instead of lasting up to 10 years or more, they may stop working after a couple of years. However, since various models are built differently, it’s hard to figure out what to expect until it happens.

Pro Tip: If you’re going to keep lights outside permanently, then try to cover them with a glass enclosure or something similar. Putting shelter over your LED bulbs for outside lights will protect them from the worst weather and ensure that they work better and last longer.

Inside, be sure to keep lights away from heat sources like heaters and furnaces. Also, avoid putting bulbs next to cold elements, like an A/C unit. This will also extend their lifespan and prevent you from having to replace them as often.

Power Source

Whenever you get a new light bulb, you’ll notice that there is a wattage rating on the side. This number is vital to the success of your new LED as it will dictate how well it works in the fixture. For example, if it’s rated for 60 watts, but you put it somewhere that generates 100 watts, it will overload the circuit sooner rather than later.

Conversely, putting a higher watt bulb into a lower watt source is going to lead to issues as well. The light won’t produce as much light as it should, and it could drain more energy from the fixture as a result.

In the end, not paying attention to the power and energy ratings of your LED bulbs can shorten their lifespan and cause them to burn out much faster.

Pro Tip: If possible, get your fixtures checked out to find out what wattage and voltage they are designed for; this will enable you to get the right kind of bulbs and prevent any damage to either the fixture or the light itself.

Usage

When a light bulb burns out, typically it happens when you flip the switch and send power into it. Rarely does it stop working while it’s still on unless it’s overheated. As such, you can imagine that turning your lights on and off excessively is going to put more wear and tear on them than keeping them on for extended periods. To keep your LED lights lasting long and to conserve energy, only turn on the lights when necessary.

At home, you’ll likely keep your lights on for a few hours at a time. For a business, they will probably be going for up to 12-24 hours, depending on their placement and the hours of operation for your storefront.

Overall, bulbs that are used more frequently are going to burn out faster than those that aren’t. So, when trying to determine how long do your LED lights last on average, first think about how many times it will be turned on and off throughout the day, as well as how long it will stay on in a typical setting.

Pro Tip: Buy light bulbs that are designed for the kind of use you want to put them in. For example, don’t get consumer-grade lights if you plan on installing them in your business. Shop around and find the best model, not necessarily the most cost-effective.

When it comes to maximizing your LED bulbs’ lifespan, you want to pay close attention to how they are crafted and how they are used. Too often, we think of lights as a constant, rather than something that has an expiration date.

Rather than treating your lights as if they are indestructible, start imagining them as if they are small electronics instead. This will help you take care of them and treat them right.

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