Do LED light bulbs get hot? Because of their longer lifespan and better energy efficiency, LED lights is a favourite among householders. However, many LED patrons ask the question: Do LED light bulbs get hot? Understanding the answer to this question is important as it impacts not only the longevity but also the safety of LED bulbs.
Traditional lighting such as halogen or incandescent bulbs produce a significant amount of heat. The heat produced is both wasteful and a potential fire hazard. LED light bulbs, in contrast, are frequently touted as “cool to touch”. But the important question is, how much truth is there in this claim?
Let’s find out.
Do LED lights get hot?
Like any other light source, LEDs produce some level of heat. But the good part is:
- LED lights bulbs create far less heat than traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs
- LED lights allow for the heat that is produced to escape
LED lights generate far less heat than other lighting options because it is more energy efficient. On average, LED lights convert 80% of electricity into light. In contrast, older bulbs only convert 10% to 15% of the consumed energy into light.
Additionally, LED lights allow whatever heat build-up that occurs to escape. LED lights come with a heat sink, which absorbs heat generated by LEDs and releases it into the surrounding air. Older LED bulbs typically had heat sinks externally, whereas modern LED bulbs keep them internal.
LED strip lights, however, usually don’t feature a dedicated heat sink. This is because each light emitting diode is small and the amount of light and heat produced by an individual section is rather minimal.
If LED lights produce heat, then why are the cooler to touch?
Incandescent bulbs are too hot to touch when they are on because much of the electricity they consume is turned into heat energy. Even though LED light bulbs produce some amount of heat, they are are cooler to touch because of three reasons:
- They produce far less amount of heat than traditional bulbs
- LED bulbs typically don’t produce heat in the form of infrared radiation. By contrast, traditional bulbs produce a considerable amount of infrared radiation, which heats the enclosures, making them too hot to touch
- The heat produced by a LED light bulb is pulled away by a heat sink located at the base of the bulb and dissipated into the air, which in turn helps the LED bulb stay cool
By dissipating the heat into the air, the heat sink ensures the LED bulb keeps up its promise of staying functional for a long time.
Keep in mind that LED bulbs need a way for the heat to escape. If you place it in an enclosed space with no ventilation, such as a tiny glass shade, the heat won’t have anywhere to escape to. As a result, the heat would get sent back to the bulb, reducing its lifespan significantly.
Not all LED light bulbs are created equal. LED bulbs of poor quality may not have a competent heat sink. As a result of which, they may run hotter than they ideally should. However, even then it’s highly unlikely that these bulbs will become as hot as incandescent bulbs, but they can be warm to touch. Therefore, you should always buy high-quality LED bulbs.
Are LED bulbs a fire hazard?
LED bulbs are not a fire hazard. However, if the wiring circuit is faulty or old, or if the bulbs are not installed properly, they could catch fire.
While incandescent bulbs can go up to a temperature of 216°c after just a few minutes, LED bulbs never get to such a high temperature. For this reason, by themselves, they are not a fire hazard.
Conclusion: Do LED Light Bulbs Get Hot?
Yes, they do, but far less than traditional bulbs. LED bulbs are far more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, do not produce infrared radiation, and feature a heat sink that dissipates whatever heat they produce. However, some high-wattage LED bulbs might not be suitable for enclosed fixtures, though most are okay. If you are using a high-quality LED light bulb in an enclosed fixture, you should have no problem. At Liquid LEDs, we sell high-quality LED light bulbs, which are energy-efficient, long-lasting, safe to use, and dimmable.