Written by Timothy Dale | Published 5:27 PM, July 27, 2021

Answer: LED lights are known for their long service life, and many manufacturers directly print the expected life on the packaging. This may be 5 to 20 years, but the actual life of the LED is not just a simple estimate by the manufacturer. Many factors affect the actual lifespan of LEDs, including high temperature, high frequency use, and LED lights running at higher than expected currents. So, how long is the life of LED lights?

The reality is that the service life of LED lights is usually between 4 and 6 years. For example, an LED light can be used for 10 years, but if it is often used outdoors in extreme hot temperatures, it may only be used for 8 years, or if the light is placed at room temperature and rarely used, it may be used for 12 years . However, it should also be noted that even if the LED lamp does reach the lifetime indicated by the manufacturer, the lamp will experience light decay, which will reduce the light output of the LED over time.

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The area, application, current, temperature, frequency of use, and even the way the LED light is used can affect the life of the bulb, so although the manufacturer usually provides an estimated life on the package, this should not be used as an accurate measurement. In fact, the only real way to let LED lamp manufacturers know the exact lifespan of each bulb (regardless of usage) is to plan to scrap it.

The manufacturer did not attempt to determine the exact service life, but provided estimates based on common usage in typical situations. If the LED lamp is used at an approximate frequency, and under relatively similar conditions, its lifespan may be longer than estimated, but any substantial difference in frequency or environment will increase or decrease the life of the bulb.

Like most electronic devices, LED lights are susceptible to extreme heat. They are usually used at room temperature, ranging from 65 to 80 degrees, but they can also be used in garages, sheds or outdoors. However, most LED lights function best when the temperature is kept below 75 degrees.

When exposed to extreme high temperatures, the temperature of the semiconductor components inside the LED will also increase, which has the effect of accelerating the degradation rate of the diode. Contrary to popular belief, extreme cold will not shorten the life of LEDs. In fact, the cool temperature helps keep the semiconductor components at a moderate temperature and prolongs the life of the LED, making it an excellent choice for cold climates.

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Although the life of LED bulbs is indeed much longer than that of incandescent bulbs, it is still important to ensure that most indoor lights are turned off while you sleep or outdoor lights are turned off in the morning. This may seem like an obvious step, but simply turning off the light when not in use can extend the life of the bulb. After all, every second of the light on consumes the total life of the LED, so you should keep the light only when you really need it.

A good way to ensure that all lights in your home are turned off is to invest in smart home systems, or even lighting systems with scheduling capabilities. This allows the user to set the time for the light to automatically turn off, so you can be confident that you will not waste electricity and shorten the life of the LED bulb.

It should also be noted that, unlike incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs, repeatedly turning on and off the LED lights will not affect the life of the bulb. The LED will continue to work, and its life will decrease with the time the light is on, regardless of the number of times the light is turned off and turned on again.

Any type of electrical equipment has a specific working range, and LED lights are no exception. Each LED uses a specific current, which refers to the rate at which current flows into the circuit. When the LED bulb is used with too low current, the LED does not have enough energy to produce the expected light output. However, the advantage of this situation is that the LED can actually last longer because it is not used at full capacity.

However, when the LED light is used with too high current, it will glow brighter in an attempt to use all the energy received by the circuit. This will shorten the life of the bulb, but it will also cause the lamps and LED circuits to overheat and burn out.

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A radiator is a component commonly used in electronic devices (such as computers, mobile phones, and LED lights) to absorb and disperse excess heat, thereby cooling the internal components and circuits of the device. Knowing this information about the purpose of heat sinks, it is not surprising that LED lights with high-quality heat sinks generally last longer than the same LED lights with standard or low-quality heat sinks.

The better the design of the radiator, the more capable it is to absorb and disperse the heat generated when the lamp is used. This also helps protect the circuit from high-temperature environments, making these high-quality bulbs ideal for hot climates.

Depending on the product, the LED lamp may have a manufacturer's warranty or a guarantee that the bulb will last for a certain period of time. Generally, the warranty period for LEDs is three to five years, so if the bulb burns out after this time, it is considered to be within the expected failure range. These warranties are somewhat helpful, but they usually only cover the cost of replacing specific LED lights, so the failure of a single LED bulb may not be worth skipping the necessary steps to file a warranty claim.

If you decide to make a warranty claim on the product, it is expected that the product must be sent to the manufacturer, where it will be tested to determine if it is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. After the test, they will give you the result, indicating whether the LED will be replaced or reimbursed, or whether it is malfunctioning due to user error or improper installation.

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