LED light bulbs are the undisputed king of the hill as far as energy efficiency goes. But although efficiency is the prime factor most people consider when replacing light bulbs, another aspect that should also matter to you is the lifespan of a light bulb.
LiquidLEDs’ LED bulbs have an average rated lifespan of 15,000 hours, the longest of any type of lighting on the market. In contrast, most incandescent light bulbs only last about 1000 hours. You’ll often hear claims of LEDs lasting well over 25,000 hours, which are technically correct.
However, what they don’t tell you is that LEDs begin to dim after 10,000 to 15,000 hours. So while your bulb can last longer, it’s not likely you’ll want to keep a dim bulb around.
Here are 3 tips on how you can extend your LED bulbs’ lifespan.
1. Control your Use LED bulbs are indeed more energy efficient, but that doesn’t mean you should leave them switched on the whole day. Like all electronic devices, LEDs have an aging process, so it makes sense to be economical with their use. Turn on your lights only when required, like in areas where work takes place (e.g. kitchens, workshops etc.). Otherwise, leave them switched off.
2. Avoid Frequent Switching On/Off Studies show that frequently an LED bulb on and off has a detrimental effect on its lifespan, albeit not on the same level as CFLs and incandescent bulbs. Similar to how we advised that you use your lights only when necessary, you can reduce the frequency in which your lights and switched on and off.
3. Let Your LEDs Cool Down Again, allowing your LEDs to cool down between switching on and off vastly increases their lifespan. LEDs may not produce as much heat as other types of bulbs, but they can last longer if you give them time to rest between uses.