When you were younger, you might have heard the expression, “Turn off the lights before you leave the room.” Life, like technology, moves quickly, which is how the Light Emitting Diode, or LED, came to be. LEDs last longer and consume less energy. Is it truly a bad idea to always leave those LED lights on?
Well-manufactured LED lights have a long lifespan and may be used continually. Nevertheless, this is not always the case with less cost, poorly constructed LED lights. LEDs are not a fire hazard since they produce less heat than other lighting sources. Even so, it would help if you did not leave them on all day.
Why Should you Not Leave LED Lights on All the Time?
The two main defenses against leaving these lights on all the time are as follows:
- The cost of electricity- The longer you leave the lights on, the more your power bill will rise.
- Being a decent citizen- Energy waste quickly builds up and has a terrible environmental impact. Generally, it is better to turn electronics off if you do not require them to be on.
How Long Can LED Strip Lighting Be Left On?
LED strip lights have grown in popularity over the last 50 years worldwide. They are available in various colors, brightness, and lengths and are a quick way to enhance your home or property.
Strip lights are ideal for limited spaces, such as beneath kitchen counters, because LEDs produce less heat. As a result, LED strip lights may frequently be kept on indefinitely. It is critical to stress-test your lights before exposing them to prolonged use.
Regrettably, many of the low-cost LED strip lights on the market are of poor quality. They are typically undercooled, improperly connected, and overvolted, all extremely hazardous. While more expensive, high-quality LED strips usually have guarantees attesting to using genuine, secure parts.
How Do LED Light Bulbs Compare to Other Types of Bulbs
Traditional lighting bulbs can produce a lot of heat. When incandescent bulbs are turned on, they release 90% heat and just 10% light. That is a lot of heat and the longer the bulbs are left on, the hotter they get. Overheated bulbs’ internal components are likely to be damaged or melted, perhaps resulting in a fire.
The hazard is heightened if the airflow is restricted. For instance, when the bulbs are in enclosed fixtures, or a higher-wattage bulb is used in a lower-wattage fixture. As a result, conventional bulbs should not be left on constantly or for extended periods.
Yet, LED lights are more energy-efficient and secure than ever before. According to the Institute for Nanoscale Science, just 10% of the energy utilized by LED lights is converted to heat. Furthermore, well-designed LEDs have heat sinks to dissipate any excess heat from the light source.
Despite this, if an LED bulb overheats, it will dim rather than melt or break. Finally, LED lights are exceedingly safe and ideal for continuous or extended use.
| Type of Bulb | Average Life Span | When should you turn it off |
| LED | 35,000 – 50,000 hours | Can be left on 24/7 |
| Fluorescent | 24,000 – 36,000 hours | If you plan to leave the room for more than 15 minutes, turn off the lights. |
| Incandescent | 750 – 2,000 hours | When not needed, please turn it off. |
| CFL | 35,000 – 50,000 hours | If you plan to leave the room for more than 15 minutes, turn off the lights. |
| Halogen | 2,000 – 4,000 hours | When not needed, please turn it off. |
Do LED Lights Disrupt Sleep When Left On?
Although possible, leaving the lights on is probably not a good idea. LEDs and other artificial lights may disrupt normal sleeping patterns.
When artificial light is added, the body’s natural cycles are disrupted. This cycle is known as our circadian rhythm. LED lights may also obstruct it.
Moreover, LED lights emit blue light. According to research, exposure to blue light prevents the body from making melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for making you sleepy.
As a result, while leaving your LED lights on all night is unlikely to harm them, it will harm your sleeping schedule.
Conclusion
In terms of longevity, it is fair to conclude that LED lights outperform their competitors. LED lights are suitable for long-term use in every shape, from bulbs to strip lights. If you have lights in your home or property that must be on all the time or for extended periods, it is advantageous to upgrade to LEDs. You will save money on electricity while also minimizing your carbon footprint. Even though close, LED lights have significant environmental downsides; therefore, you should only leave them on in necessary conditions.