What is the lifespan of LED lighting? — Truck-Lite Advanced LED Lighting (2024)

FAQs

What is the life expectancy of LED lights? ›

LED bulbs afford in the region of 50,000 hours of light, with some brands boasting as many as 100,000 hours. In general, terms, if you use your lights for 10 hours each day, LEDs should serve you well for just shy of 14 years.

The average life of most of our LED lighting is 50,000 hours, approx 50 years (of average usage). Although LED lighting is relatively expensive initially compared to traditional lighting, the savings in just replacement bulbs alone usually covers the cost of the LED bulb itself.

Even considering all of the factors above, most LED light engines last somewhere between 40,000 to 60,000 hours before needing to be replaced.

Non-Replaceable Integrated LEDs: Many integrated LED fixtures are built with non-replaceable LEDs, meaning the entire fixture needs to be replaced when the LEDs fail. These fixtures are often sealed or glued shut to prevent tampering and maintain their structural integrity.

Unlike incandescent light bulbs, LEDs don't produce light using heat. This is part of what makes them so energy efficient. The downside is that their components can be sensitive to overheating, which can cause them to burn out prematurely.

One disadvantage of LEDs is the high initial cost per bulb. Over time, however, LED lights will pay for themselves through energy savings and incredibly long lifespans. Bulbs from various manufacturers may appear noticeably different in terms of their white light hues, so choose a well-known brand.

Over time, this filament gets hotter, weaker and eventually burns out. LEDs, however, do not contain a filament and instead illuminate using a semiconductor. So instead of just instantly burning out like traditional bulbs, LED lights age over time and progressively get dimmer until they stop working altogether.

Most LED fixtures have a lifespan of around 50,000 hours. However, dimmable LEDs have an estimated lifespan of up to 100,000 hours. How long the bulbs last in your facility depends on usage. For example, hospitals are open 24/7 and LED replacements might be necessary every six years.

Because of the way they are installed, integrated LED bulbs have an even longer lifetime rating than screw-in LED bulbs. They are also more visually appealing, and much more energy-efficient.

If they're in a housing designed for these bulbs, and they have an adequate heat sink, they can last up to 50,000 hours. For comparison, a halogen bulb only lasts around 500 hours. That means you'll never need to replace the lights in a modern LED headlight or taillight as long as you own the vehicle.

How do you know when an LED light is going bad? ›

If you notice the lighting levels gradually dimming or flickering, it's a sign that you have an issue with your LED driver. It's possible that the driver isn't supplying enough power to operate and maintain peak performance.

How to calculate LED lifespan? Calculating the lifespan in years is easy. If we suppose that an LED light is on for an average of 7 hours a day for 365 days, this will add up to 2555 hours a year. If the LED light has an expected lifespan of 25,000 operating hours, it will last 9.7 years!

LED integrated in a luminaire lasts 40,000 hours to 50,000 hours on average. Keep in mind that there is still a lot of variation in this. For instance, there are still big differences in quality between different LED chips.

LED bulbs don't burn out like regular bulbs, which simply stop working abruptly when they run out of power. Instead, LED bulbs slowly degrade over time. After several years, their brightness dims. This is known as “luminous decay.” When they emit faint light, it's time to change them.

There is no bulb to change if the LED is an electronic chip with a driver (integrated). Newer fixtures have a replaceable driver because the driver is most likely to fail before the LED. A few fixtures also have a replaceable LED.

While the lifespan of LED lighting depends on its use and application, most standard lamps last 50,000 hours, while dimmable LED lamps can last nearly 100,000 hours. For facilities like hospitals and distribution centers that have lights on 24/7, that (theoretically) could mean longevity of six years.

Like any light source, LEDs can break down and wear out over time, and inhospitable conditions make them wear out faster.

LED bulbs don't burn out like regular bulbs, which simply stop working abruptly when they run out of power. Instead, LED bulbs slowly degrade over time. After several years, their brightness dims. This is known as “luminous decay.” When they emit faint light, it's time to change them.

LEDs have a number of advantages over conventional incandescent bulbs: Higher energy efficiency. Improved light quality. Average rated life of up to 50,000 hours or more.