Have you ever left the house with the lights on, and worried all day about what might happen? Or, are you currently wondering if you can keep a permanent night light going?
There are many reasons you might want to keep a light on all day, ranging from safety and security to accessibility. And in a busy world, it’s easier than ever to rush out the door and forget to check the lights!
Fortunately, LED (light-emitting diodes) are much safer and much more cost-effective than traditional bulbs.
Today, we’ve got you covered with any questions you might have. We’ll be covering:
- Whether you can leave your lights on all day long
- The lifespan of a typical LED light
- How to mitigate any safety concerns with leaving your lights on
- How leaving your lights on will affect your power bill.
Let’s take a look!
Contents
Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7?
Strictly speaking, yes, it’s safe to leave your LED lights on around the clock. However, it’s not necessarily best practice. While LEDs last an incredibly long time, leaving them on will shorten the lifespan of the light and use additional energy which you could be saving.
Safety Concerns of Leaving LED Lights On 24/7
Risk Of Overheating And Fire Hazards
The good news is that there are very few safety concerns with LED light bulbs!
LEDs are a type of solid-state lighting. They are essentially tiny bulbs that work by passing an electrical current through a semiconductor. The same technology is also commonly found in LCD TVs.
In comparison, conventional bulbs produce light by superheating a wire filament (releasing a whopping 90% of their energy as heat). This is why they are hot to the touch and prone to burning out or popping.
The technology found in LEDs meant that they actually produced very little heat at all!
This means the risk associated with overheating, exploding, and fire is significantly smaller. As this is the case, they can safely be left on without the fire risk of incandescent bulbs.
Increased Energy Consumption And Cost
Additionally, the technology in an LED light means that it consumes very little energy – particularly in comparison to a traditional lightbulb. This makes them cost-effective to run, especially when they’re used sparingly.
But while leaving your LED lights on might not make as big of an impact on your wallet, it’s worth considering that it will still use finite resources (i.e. energy) that could otherwise be saved.
According to Energy.gov, by 2035 energy savings from LED lighting could be equal to more than 921,000 MW power plants. Therefore, every little saving counts!
Reduced Lifespan Of Led Lights
The lifespan of an LED bulb is incredible, and each one could last you more than 10 years!
However, if you leave the light on all day every day, it will wear out much faster than you might expect. As a side note, you can generally tell an LED is coming to the end of its life if it starts to dim.
Recommended Usage and Lifespan of LED Lights
Average lifespan of LED lights
While the lifespan of an LED bulb varies per manufacturer, it generally lasts around 35,000 to 50,000 hours. That’s a lot more than a halogen bulb which might only last 2,000!
However, if lifespan is a concern, leaving your lights on 24/7 will mean replacement could be required in about 4 years, rather than lasting over a decade if you use them between 5 and 8 hours a day.
If you invest in LED holiday lights, they could last you up to 40 years!
Proper usage and maintenance
For the most part, LED lighting requires very little upkeep. In fact, it’s best to avoid too much interaction with the bulbs as their componentry could become loose if handled too often.
However, if you plan to leave your lights on 24/7, regular maintenance becomes increasingly important.
The only maintenance requirement they really have is to be routinely dusted, preferably using a soft, dry cloth.
It’s best to avoid using harsh chemicals or water. LED lights that are not flush with the ceiling (i.e. pendant or strip lighting) will require more frequent dusting.
Although it’s fine to install LED lights in kitchens and bathrooms, consider keeping LEDs away from excessive moisture or areas where they don’t have the chance to dry out. Make sure to install specific weather-resistant LEDs in outdoor areas!
Impact on Energy Consumption and Cost
Calculation Of Energy Usage
LEDs are incredibly energy efficient, ranging from 150 lumens per watt. According to Energy Saver, they consume at least 75% less energy than traditional incandescent lighting.
According to Pearch Energy’s calculator, running a 1400-lumen bulb for 8 hours a day will take just 4kWh (kilowatt hours).
If your electricity costs 13c/kWh, that’s just $0.47 for a whole month! If you ran the same lightbulb 24/7, it would cost you 4 times that – clocking in at $1.40 a month.
Comparison With Other Types Of Lights
In contrast, to get the same brightness from a more traditional bulb you could be paying about $0.97 an hour!
That means it will cost you twice as much per hour than it could cost you to run an LED light for 8 hours every day for a whole month.
Conclusion
If you plan to leave them on all day and night, LEDs are a safe and efficient option – far better than a traditional light bulb.
However, while they’re designed to last a long time, keeping them on will unnecessarily reduce their lifespan and eat up precious energy.
The longevity and efficiency of LED lighting make it a smart and responsible choice, particularly if you require lighting for safety or accessibility reasons.
If you choose not to turn off your lights, be sure you’re doing regular maintenance and dusting to maximize your bulb’s lifespan.
If possible, making sure you’re using your lighting responsibly means you’ll get the most out of your bulbs – minimizing your impact on your bills as much as the environment!
