They DONT Last Forever

June 17, 2020

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A close up of a led light bulb on a white background.

The technological advances that have been made with the improvements in Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures and lamps are not to be ignored. We have all experienced the benefits of switching from traditional to LED light bulbs and fixtures. These advantages include; energy efficiency, eco-friendly, lower heat emissions, instant-on with no warm-up, dimmable, wide color ranges and longer-lasting bulbs. The lower energy consumption alone has demonstrated how significant LED advancements have transformed the lighting industry.



Unfortunately, improvements are still needed in the area of LED lamp life related to outdoor exposure. Often, we hear from our valued clients, “I thought my LED lamps were supposed to last forever?” Here are some facts to consider.

LED chips are typically rated for 50,000 hours useful life. Of course, this is based on lab testing at 75F and dry conditions. Heat and moisture play a major factor in degrading the life of the LED chips.

A black flood light with a cord attached to it on a white background.
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The small outdoor fixtures, running on hot summer nights, result in quicker depreciation of output. Any breaks in the seal/gasket might allow moisture in, which may damage the electronics. Consequently, the severe temperature swings in our Chicago area will cause some fixtures and lamps to last a shorter time than others. Due to varying conditions, LED lamp life in the outdoors is extremely unpredictable.


Indoor lights are almost always used in open fixtures and dry locations and so the heat dissipation is better and therefore the LEDs last longer. LED fixtures and lamps also require specific voltage ranges for optimum performance. When these ranges are not accurate, lamp life decreases drastically.

At Night Light, we continue to investigate and pursue the latest advancements to deliver the highest quality products and service to our clients. We will continue to utilize the best options and improvements as they become available. Feel free to contact us today if you have any questions or need more information regarding LED landscape illumination.

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