Understanding the Lifespan of LED Lights

LED lights are known for their impressive lifespan, making them a cost-effective and reliable lighting choice for homes and businesses. However, understanding what contributes to their longevity and how to maximize it can help you make the most of your investment. Here’s a breakdown of how LED lifespan works and what factors influence it.

1. What is the Lifespan of an LED Light?

On average, LED lights can last between 25,000 and 50,000 hours or more. This is significantly longer than incandescent bulbs, which last about 1,000 hours, and CFLs, which typically last up to 10,000 hours. For perspective, using an LED light for 8 hours a day can provide over 8 years of use before needing a replacement.

2. How is LED Lifespan Measured?

Unlike traditional bulbs that “burn out,” LEDs gradually dim over time. The lifespan of an LED is measured by the L70 standard, which refers to the number of hours the light output takes to drop to 70% of its original brightness. This gradual dimming is far less noticeable compared to the sudden failure of other bulbs.

3. Factors That Affect LED Lifespan

Several factors influence how long your LED lights will last:

• Heat Management: LEDs generate minimal heat, but excessive heat buildup can shorten their lifespan. High-quality LED lights come with built-in heat sinks to dissipate heat effectively.
• Usage Patterns: Frequent on-and-off cycling, while harmful to incandescent bulbs, does not significantly affect LEDs. However, overuse at maximum brightness may accelerate wear.
• Quality of Materials: Cheaper LEDs may use subpar materials that degrade faster. Investing in high-quality brands ensures better performance and durability.
• Environmental Conditions: LEDs exposed to extreme temperatures, moisture, or dust may have a shorter lifespan if they’re not rated for such environments (look for IP-rated lights for outdoor or damp spaces).
• Power Supply: Using the wrong driver or power supply can overdrive the LEDs, leading to overheating or flickering, which reduces lifespan.

This post was written by a professional at GlowbackLED. GlowbackLED has been the industry leading custom LED power supplies located in Miami, FL for years. They specialize in custom LED light panels for backlighting translucent stones, artwork, stained glass, and resin. They have been manufacturing robust lines of recess linear, surface linear, and pendant linear LED light fixtures (suspended or hanging). Proudly offering industry leading project management and support, Glowback is second to none! Their goal is to make your purchasing experience as simple and headache free as possible.