How Long Do LED Street Lights Last?

How Long Do LED Street Lights Last?

Once a city or town decides to switch from high-pressure sodium lights to LEDs, they need to consider the lifespan of the new streetlights. The LED streetlight endures 100,000 hours. For 11 years! Not bad for a technology that has been widely used for outdoor lighting only for ten years. Many people prefer using the advantages of employing such as it saves money and energy, and the environment might be at risk due to this decision-making process becoming more expensive after 2–3 years in most cities, with few still saving extra cash on an LED streetlight considering savings on both maintenances and energy costs drop with time.

Typical Lifespan of LED Street Lights

Unlike lamps, LEDs do not fail without warning. Instead, semiconductors emit light – thereby eliminating premature failure. These are cooler than incandescent lamps; thus, their internal components are less stressed. Fairly leapfrogging above those of the incandescents due to longer lifespan and lowered energy entity use, LED street lights have saved several cities as well as municipalities up 75% on energy costs.

Just like any other technology, there is a degradable performance for LEDs. Most street lights manufacturers of street lights using LEDs guarantee 70-80% brilliance for 10-15 years. After that period, lights may dim and lose efficiency. Even yet, many 5-10 years before replacement occurs. Fixtures and lamps made for LED streetlights make replacement very easy to do. Replacing an LED bulb or fixture is also very easy as they are just screwed in place (everywhere except Australia). Resetting them is a piece of cake with LEDs living long.

Factors Affecting the Lifespan of LED Street Lights

Learn more about several factors that impact the lifespan of LED street lighting. The first would be quality. High-quality LEDs and drivers last longer. Cheaper choices may fail faster. Weather-resistant materials and housing last longer. The second is use. LED street lights on 12 hours a day did not last as those on a few hours each night. Frequent switching shortens longevity.

LEDs work best in the cold. Heat-generating street lights last less. Heat damage sticks even with heat sinks and airflow. Dimming and brightness last. Dimmable LEDs live longer. Full power shortens life. Street light systems can dim and brighten to rebalance light levels and shed efficiency loss.

A good quality Street light fixture of LED should last 5-7 years, possibly 10-15 years, with high-quality components limited use, cooler operating temperatures, and lower brightness levels. By then, the LED lights may be more efficient and last longer.

The Technology Behind LED Street Lights

LEDs are semiconductor chips with anode and cathode connections. Electrons in the semiconductor material absorb electrical current and release light. Electroluminescence occurs. The semiconductor energy gap determines light hue.

Traditional bulbs need color filters, but LEDs generate light at the source. They lack brittle filaments and mercury vapor. LEDs are long-lasting and eco-friendly. LEDs' light generation is efficient. They emit over 80% of their energy as light and the remainder as heat. Incandescent lights convert 10% of energy into light. LEDs last 10x longer.

Many cities and towns have switched to LED street lights because they last longer and give better illumination. LEDs illuminate drivers and pedestrians with strong white light. Unlike high-pressure sodium lights, they switch on instantly. LED streetlights benefit smart cities. They are networkable and remote-controllable. Their brightness and color temperature can be adjusted for nighttime or traffic. These next-generation light sources enable these additional functionalities.

Maximizing the Lifespan of Your LED Street Lights

To maximize the lifespan of your LED street lights, you should follow a few best practices.

1. Control Temperatures

LEDs are sensitive to high temperatures, so making sure they don't overheat is key. Install your LED street lights in areas with adequate airflow and avoid confined spaces. The cooler the temperature, the longer the LEDs will last.

2. Choose a High Quality Product

Not all LEDs are created equal. Look for LED streetlights specifically designed for outdoor use that are waterproof and weather-resistant. Higher-quality LED chips, drivers, and other internal components will have a longer lifespan. Reputable brands that specialize in LED lighting are your best bet.

3. Dim Properly

Dimming your LED street lights by more than 30-50% of their maximum brightness can reduce their lifespan. Only dim them as much as needed for your application. The less you dim them, the longer they'll last.

4. Avoid Frequent Switching

Turning LED street lights on and off frequently stresses the components and reduces lifespan. For the best results, turn them on at dusk and leave them on throughout the night until dawn. Only turn them off during longer periods of non-use, like holidays.

5. Consider a Warranty

Look for LED street lights that come with at least a 5-year warranty. A warranty indicates quality and gives you coverage in case of premature failure. It's a good indicator you're getting a product designed to last.

Conclusion

LED streetlights' lifespans are now known. As you have seen, LED streetlights' lifespans vary depending on the product and how they are used, but they often provide several years of strong, energy-efficient illumination. It is easy to replace them as they dim or fail. LED technology has advanced, and watching how it is changing our towns and communities is amazing. The future is bright. You will appreciate those blazing LEDs overhead when you go down the street at night.