LED strips are a great choice for residential, commercial, and industrial lighting. The strips light up very quickly, are energy efficient, and last a long time. However, most people ask these questions “How long do LED strips last?” and “Are they a good long-term investment?”
Most people are drawn to LED strips because of their long lifespan, but it’s important to understand how long you can expect them to last. In this post, we’ll take a look at how long LED strips typically last and the factors that can affect their lifespan.
We’ll also discuss what you can do to extend the life of your LED light strips and make sure you get the most out of them.
Table of Contents
- Do LED Light Strips Burn Out?
- How Long Do LED Strips Last?
- Factors affecting the lifespan of LED light strips
- How to improve the lifespan of LED light strips
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Do LED Light Strips Burn Out?
Although LED light strips are durable, they fade over time. However, unlike ordinary incandescent lights, LED strips do not burn out. Over the years, you might notice the LED light strip fading. If you use the lights regularly, it is nearly impossible to see them fade with your naked eyes.
How Long Do LED Strips Last?
LED strips can last for at least six years, but various factors contribute to their durability, including the product quality and how often they are used. LED lights function quite differently from incandescent and fluorescent bulbs over time. While incandescent and fluorescent bulbs tend to go out and flicker after a while, LEDs lose their light slowly.
Factors affecting the lifespan of LED light strips
Exposure to Extreme Heat
Just like other electronic gadgets, LED lights are very vulnerable to heat. They are usually designed to withstand temperatures of about 65-80◦F, but they can also be used outdoors in a garage or shed.
Most LED lights function best when the temperature is below 75 degrees. Too much heat will increase the semiconducting element’s temperature, accelerating the diodes’ degradation rate.
Installation Process
The installation process is one of the main factors determining how long your LED strip lights will last. This includes how well you follow directions and whether or not you’ve done electrical work before.
Resistors
Resistors control the forward current through the LEDs so that the lights function at the designed brightness. Always go for a reputable company when looking for resistors. Low-quality resistors can damage the LED strip or shorten its life. Additionally, don’t overpower your LEDs. They might be bright at first but will fail fast.
Daily Usage
Although LED light bulbs are designed to be more durable than incandescent bulbs, you should also be keen when using them. You should ensure that you switch off the indoor lights before you sleep and put out the outdoor lights in the morning. Make sure you turn off the LED lights when they are not in use to make them last longer.
Quality of Strip
Avoid buying cheap, low-quality LED light strips. Ensure that the strip you purchase is from a reliable and well-known brand. Poor-quality strips will fail much faster than high-quality ones.
Power Supply
You must ensure that your power supply is quality assured. A bad quality power supply may give an unstable voltage, higher than the right voltage of the LED strip, thus damaging your strip.
Additionally, ensure that the power of the strip doesn’t surpass the rated maximum capacity of the power supply.
Environmental Protection
To prolong the lifespan of your LED light strips, ensure they are enclosed in a hard protective cover. The LED cover should also be sealed properly to prevent dirt or moisture from getting inside and damaging the lights.
Heat Dissipation
Heat will greatly shorten the lifespan of your LEDs. So, when you install LED strips, look for a well-ventilated area that will efficiently dissipate heat. If you have a good budget, stick to the aluminum profile because it’s an excellent heat-dissipation metal.
Warranty
The warranty given by your LED manufacturer can also give you some crucial information about the lifespan of the LEDs.
How to improve the lifespan of LED light strips
Here are some tips to help you improve the lifespan of your LED light strips:
Install Correctly
The installation plays a crucial role in how long your LED strips can last. Any creasing, bending, or unusual applications can affect the circuitry and diode. Extending and cutting the light strip can also impact the quality of your strips and cause a voltage drop.
Don’t Leave Them on
Most people forget to turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed, but this should not be a habit. Always turn off your LED lights when not in use to increase their lifespan.
FAQs
LEDs are more durable than traditional light bulbs. This is because they are more effective, and their parts are not designed to break or burn out over time. Additionally, LED lights are very robust and don’t have any glass that can break or parts that can wear out.
Although LED lights do not necessarily burn out, they dim or fade until they can no longer produce sufficient light for your needs. So, when the light in your home becomes dim, it’s time to replace the LED strip lights.
Conclusion
LED lights are a great source of reliable light because they produce low heat, are energy efficient, and can fit in small spaces. Always invest in a high-quality LED light strip if you want a color-accurate, long-lasting LED.
