The lifespan of lighting refers to the period during which a light source can maintain its function and continue to produce a usable amount of light before failing or experiencing a significant reduction in light output. It's an important factor in lighting selection, as it not only affects long-term performance and costs, but also the maintenance and replacement frequency of lighting in various applications.
How is the lifespan of lighting measured?
The lifespan of lighting is often expressed in operating hours . This is the number of hours a lamp or light source is expected to operate before losing its optimal performance or failing. For example, a lamp with a lifespan of 15,000 hours can produce light for 15,000 hours without significant loss of brightness or color.
In addition, the lifespan of lighting is often measured using the L70 value . This means that after this period, the lamp will only have 70% of its original light output , which is considered the point at which the lamp is "worn out."
Factors that influence the lifespan of lighting
- Type of lighting :
- LED Lamps : LEDs generally have the longest lifespan, often 25,000 to 50,000 hours or more, depending on the quality and brand.
- Fluorescent Lamps : Fluorescent lamps typically have a lifespan of 7,000 to 15,000 hours , but can wear out more quickly due to frequent switching on and off.
- Halogen Lamps : Halogen lamps have a shorter lifespan than LEDs, typically 2,000 to 4,000 hours .
- Incandescent Light Bulbs : The classic incandescent light bulb has a relatively short lifespan of 750 to 1,000 hours , which explains why they often need to be replaced.
- Environmental conditions :
- Temperature : High temperatures can shorten the lifespan of lighting, especially LEDs . The same applies to very cold conditions, although LEDs generally handle these better than other types of lighting.
- Humidity : In humid environments (for example outdoors or in bathrooms) the lifespan of lighting can also be reduced unless the lamps are specifically designed for use in such conditions.
- Vibrations : Vibrations or shocks (for example in factories or transportation environments) can shorten the life of lighting, especially incandescent or halogen lamps .
- Number of on and off cycles :
- Bulbs like incandescent and halogen bulbs tend to wear out faster when frequently switched on and off. LED bulbs, on the other hand, are much more resistant to these kinds of shocks and can survive millions of on/off cycles without drastically shortening their lifespan.
- Quality of the lamp :
- Lower-quality lamps can fail more quickly or perform less well, even if they are the same type of lighting. Higher-quality brands often offer longer warranties and better performance.
- Current voltages and peaks :
- Fluctuations in the power supply (such as voltage spikes or dips) can shorten the life of lighting, especially LEDs or fluorescent lamps that are sensitive to such fluctuations.
Expected lifespan of different lighting technologies
- LED lights :
- Expected life: 25,000 to 50,000 hours .
- LED lamps have the longest lifespan of all types of lighting, typically retaining 70% or more of their original light output over their lifetime.
- Fluorescent lamps :
- Expected life: 7,000 to 15,000 hours .
- Fluorescent lamps have a significant lifespan, but performance can decrease with frequent switching on and off.
- Halogen lamps :
- Expected life: 2,000 to 4,000 hours .
- Halogen bulbs have a shorter lifespan than LEDs and fluorescent bulbs, but offer more brightness per watt and can be dimmable in some cases.
- Incandescent light bulbs :
- Expected lifespan: 750 to 1,000 hours .
- Incandescent light bulbs have the shortest lifespan and are often replaced by more energy-efficient alternatives such as LEDs.
Benefits of long life of lighting
- Lower replacement costs : Long-life lamps require less frequent replacement, reducing maintenance costs .
- Energy Efficiency : LED bulbs and other energy-efficient lighting technologies often last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, meaning they need to be replaced less often and are more energy efficient over their lifetime.
- Less waste : Replacing lamps less often also means less waste . Using long-life lighting like LEDs contributes to more sustainable lighting solutions.
- Reliability : Lamps with a longer lifespan generally provide a more stable light level throughout their service life. This is especially important in commercial and industrial environments where consistent lighting is required.
Lighting and environment
Lamp technologies like LEDs not only have a longer lifespan, but they also contain fewer harmful substances than fluorescent lamps , for example, which can contain mercury. Reducing the number of lamps that need replacing contributes to a reduction in the environmental footprint of lighting.
Summary
The lifespan of lighting varies depending on the type of bulb and the environmental conditions. LED bulbs have the longest lifespan, often between 25,000 and 50,000 hours , while incandescent bulbs have the shortest lifespan (around 750 to 1,000 hours ). Choosing lighting with a longer lifespan can help reduce maintenance costs, save energy, and lessen the environmental impact of lighting. It's important to choose the right lighting based on the specific needs of the space and its use, so you can take advantage of the benefits of long life and energy efficiency.