How long led last

The chips are what actually emit the light. They are responsible for how bright the light is see our page on lumen output. The driver, on the other hand, provides the chips with power. For example, LED chips in well-manufactured lights are very unlikely to fail. When supplied with electricity, they give out light. The driver that powers the LED chips is a more complex piece of equipment.

If an LED light suddenly stops working, the problem is almost certainly with the driver, not the chips. Fortunately, drivers are often separate to the main LED light. We've written about a lot of this stuff before, specifically in this article about LED warranties.

What makes the recent DOE report interesting, and worth writing about and re-hashing some of this, is the pointedness of its determination that the way we think about LED lifespan ought to be totally different than the way we've traditionally thought about the lifespans read: life ratings of conventional lighting products.

For decades, we've been replacing light bulbs after they burn out. One day, we walk in a room and flick a switch, and there's either a flash, or the light simply won't turn on. But LEDs can exist on a kind of life support for quite some time after their point of optimal usefulness, so we have to look for a different sign to know when to replace them. There's potentially extreme difference between the light output of a brand new LED lamp and that of a 40,hour-old one.

Additionally, LEDs still run the risk of failing completely — known as catastrophic failure — because of their complex anatomy and dependency on a variety of electronic components. This makes buying lighting more complex than it used to be. But don't worry — we're here to simplify it. Here's how an excerpt from the DOE's report explains the conundrum of dealing with LEDs that gradually lose light output:.

Are you also concerned about your LEDs failing spontaneously, prematurely, or catastrophically? There are options for extending the warranty on your lighting. Read more here. Let's rephrase that question. How long can you expect LEDs to last , and effectively function? That's a better way to be looking at this, and the way the DOE is steering people to look at it. LED is still a new technology, and the expense of producing quality product is still high. However, pricing has come down dramatically from just a few years ago and prices are expected to continue to drop.

In terms of whether LEDs are worth the extra cost, it's helpful to look at the cost to operate a bulb in addition to the up-front cost. The energy savings realized in a switch to LED means that the extra up-front cost is often paid back rather quickly, and you'll wind up saving money over the life of the bulb. If you'd like to see this in action, check out our Energy Savings Calculator.

Taking a look at your payback estimate should definitely be a consideration when deciding if LED is right for you. LEDs are very similar to consumer electronics and quality really matters. In order for an LED to function properly and provide an acceptable light output, all of the components must be built to last. It's always a good idea to buy from a manufacturer and retailer that you're confident will stand behind the product.

If you'd like to learn more about the components and how cheaply-made LEDs stack up against top-quality product, check out A Tale of Two Bulbs. For most applications, yes. Off-the-shelf LED products are now reliably replacing incandescent equivalents of up to watts, and specialty products are available to replace even higher wattages. If you'd like to learn more about LED light output, take a look at this article on light output.

Contrary to popular belief, extreme cold does not reduce the lifespan of an LED. In fact, cool temperatures help to keep the semiconducting element at a moderate temperature, extending the life of the LED, making them a great option for colder climates. A great way to ensure that all the lights are turned off around the home is to invest in a smart home system or even a lighting system with scheduling capabilities. It should also be noted that, unlike incandescent and halogen bulbs, repeatedly turning an LED light on and off does not impact the lifespan of the bulb.

The LED continues to function and the lifespan is reduced by the amount of time that the light was on, regardless of the number of times it was switched off and back on.

Any type of electrical device comes with a specific operating range and LED lights are no different. Each LED is made to be used with a certain electrical current, which refers to the rate at which electricity flows into a circuit. However, when an LED light is used with an electrical current that is too high, it will shine brighter in an attempt to use all of the energy that the circuit is receiving. This reduces the lifespan of the bulb, but it can also cause the light fixture and the LED circuit to overheat and burn out.