LED light strips are a popular choice for homeowners and DIY makers who want to add some extra ambience to their space. Learn how long do led light strips last, along with tips on how you can make them last longer!
There’s no need to worry about changing your light fixture over that soon because these LED lights will surely outlast any other kind of lighting unit.
These tiny little lights use just one watt per foot, less than half of what incandescent bulbs use.
They also don’t get too hot or produce excess heat as traditional bulbs do, so they’re safe for use in places where children live and play.
Summary: LED light strips have gained popularity in recent years due to their energy efficiency, versatility, and long lifespan. On average, LED light strips can last between 25,000 to 50,000 hours, depending on factors such as the quality of the LED components, the usage pattern, and the environment in which they are installed. High-quality LED light strips tend to have a longer lifespan, as they are made with superior materials and components that can better withstand wear and tear.
The actual lifespan of LED light strips can be influenced by factors such as heat, humidity, and the amount of time they are in use. To maximize the longevity of your LED light strips, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines, provide adequate ventilation to prevent overheating, and protect the strips from direct sunlight and moisture.
Additionally, using LED light strips with a dimmer can extend their lifespan, as running them at lower brightness levels reduces the strain on the components. Regularly cleaning the light strips and ensuring they are free of dust and debris can also contribute to a longer lifespan, as it helps maintain optimal performance and prevents excessive heat buildup.
10 Factors That Determine How Long Do Led Light Strips Last
1. Installation Process
One of the key factors that determine how long LED light strips will last is the installation process.
This includes consideration for whether or not you have done any electrical work before and how well you follow directions.
Here are some important things you need to consider when installing your LED lights:
2. Quality of Strip
Beware of buying cheap, low-quality LED light strips. You want to make sure the strip you’re buying is a well-known and reliable brand, such as Hyperikon, LUMii, or KOWA.
Poor quality LED lights can fail much quicker than good quality ones.
3. Solderless vs. Screw Terminal
Some LED lights may not have any solderless connections and will have to be screwed into place.
That means you may need a screwdriver to complete the installation, which can shorten the strip’s lifespan due to constant connection and disconnection from the source unit.
4. Exposure to Moisture or Heat
LEDs are sensitive to extreme temperatures and moisture.
Therefore, if the strip is exposed to high levels of moisture for long periods of time, it will fail faster than a unit that has been kept in dry air or covered with a plastic cover.
5. Electrical Wire Connections
This is another factor that can affect the lifespan of your LEDs. Make sure you are using an appropriate gauge wire to connect the strip to the power source.
The smaller the wire, the more significant a voltage drop will occur along its length, which will shorten its lifespan.
6. Environmental Protection
In order to extend the lifespan of your LED strip, it is crucial to make sure they are encased in a hard protective shell.
In addition, the cover should be sealed well enough that no moisture or dirt can get inside and damage the lights.
8. Usage
The lifespan of your LEDs will also depend on how you use them. If you use them just for ambience and only turn them on occasion, you’ll experience a longer lifespan.
On the other hand, using them as task lighting or in direct sunlight will shorten their life span.
9. Warranty
The warranty offered by your LED distributor can also provide some information about how long the LEDs are expected to last.
As a general rule, a good quality LED light strip should have a warranty of at least 36 months.
10. Quality of the Power Source
When purchasing your LED strip, consider how well the power source works.
If it is a cheap, low-end model, you can expect it to be less efficient than a higher quality one that has been tested for its durability.
Suggestions to Extend The Lifespan of Your Led Light Strip
Here are some suggestions to help you extend the lifespan of your led strip lights.
Collect the Dust
One of the main reasons why led lights stop working is because they have collected too much dust. Instead of cleaning them with a cloth, it’s better to blow them off.
Whenever you are going around your house or room, just gently blow at the end of the strip and use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the dirt collected at the end.
Cool Temperatures
As much as possible, avoid exposing your lights to extended periods of sunlight or other sources of heat. It is essential because it may damage them and shorten their lifespan.
Do not Connect in Series
For safety reasons, you should never connect more than two led light strips in series. Since the voltage doubles every time when you connect another strip, this may lead to a malfunction of the lights or even a fire hazard.
Therefore, whenever you connect more than one led light strip, make sure that they are connected parallel instead of in series.
Timing is Everything
If your led lights fail to work after several days, then it’s best to do a checkup as soon as possible.
Before you start blaming that it must be something related to your electrical, you should ensure that the problem is not because of the timing.
You may set your lights on a timer if you would like them to turn on at a specific time. However, they should never stay if the lights won’t turn on, then it might be a problem with the led strip.
Do Not Bend
Since there is a circuit inside the led light strips which controls them to show certain patterns or colors, it’s best to avoid bending at all costs.
If you choose to bend it because of limited space for your installation or due to another reason, you may damage the circuit inside.
Some people try to cut led light strips into smaller pieces and then join them again using a soldering iron.
However, this might also pose a risk of a fire hazard, so it’s best you avoid cutting the led strip if you can help it.
Avoid Direct Contact
When you are handling led light strips, it’s best to avoid direct contact. This is another reason why you should always wear gloves at all times when installing your lights.
The conductive materials inside the strip may damage your skin and cause irritation or burns depending on how long they have been in contact with your skin.
How Long Can You Keep Your Led Strip Lights On?
Led lights are visible, without any doubt more efficient, and much safer to work with. In contrast with traditional bulbs, led strips are manufactured to last a lifetime.
The fact that they contain no filaments and only emit light using the electrons passing through their semiconductor material, which was not subjected to sudden thermal changes.
These things contribute to longer led strip lifetimes. However, since led lighting is a relatively new light technology, many of us are still unsure how long do led light strips last!
Does Power Supply Make Led Strip Lights to Stop Working?
The life of an LED light is determined by the amount of power it draws.
So if you are using your lights in a place where they never get switched off, the chances are that their lifespan will be reduced or even cut short.
An LED is basically a diode made up of semiconductors and a few transistors.
It has no filament to burn out or break and a few very simple parts that you can easily replace. This is why LED lights are considered to be the future of lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Led Strip Lights Need to Be Replaced?
Most led strip lights do not need to be replaced very often, if ever. However, it is always a good idea to have your lights serviced every few years to ensure they are running optimally and producing the best light possible. Additionally, you may want to replace certain parts of your strip light such as the power supply or the individual LEDs if they start to show signs of wear.
Can Led Light Strips Stop Working?
Yes, LED light strips can potentially stop working. This happens when the electrical contacts that connect the LED light strip to the power supply become corroded or damaged, causing the strip to no longer function. If this happens, you will need to replace the entire light strip.
Is It Ok to Leave Led Strip Lights on All Night?
There are a few things to consider when it comes to leaving LED strip lights on all night. First, it is important to remember that LED strip lights are designed to be used for short periods of time – typically no more than 30 minutes at a time. If you leave the lights on for an extended period of time, they may become overloaded and damaged, leading to decreased performance and reliability. Additionally, leaving LED strip lights on all night can increase your energy bill because they use more electricity than traditional light bulbs. If you need to leave the lights on for an extended period of time, it is best to set a timer and turn them off when the timer expires.
Do Led Strip Lights Raise Electric Bill?
The answer to this question depends on the specific type of LED strip light that you are using. Some LED strip lights use a small amount of electricity to power the LEDs, while other LED strip lights use a lot of electricity to power the LEDs. The amount of electricity used by LED strip lights depends on a number of factors, including the type of light source, the color of the light, and how often the light is turned on or off.
Based on these factors, it is generally safe to say that LED strip lights do not typically raise your electric bill. However, if you are using a high-power LED strip light that uses a lot of electricity to power the LEDs, it may be worth considering switching to a lower-power LED strip light option. This will save you money on your electric bill over time.
Final Thoughts
The lifespan of an LED is estimated at about 50,000 hours. However, the actual number varies depending on the quality level of a product and its use.
Factors that can shorten life expectancy include improper installation, exposure to moisture or heat, and poor electrical connections.
If you want more longevity in your light sources but still need some flexibility and variety, consider using CFLs or other types of lights that can be switched out as needed.
Let us know if these tips mentioned on how long do led light strips last help alleviate your concerns about LED lifetime.