Low Voltage Indoor Lighting Lifespan

Although low voltage lighting may appear to cost more than standard incandescent bulbs, the long term savings made from using these energy efficient low voltage bulbs more than compensates for this initial start up cost.

In addition to lower power consumption, low voltage lighting also lasts longer than regular incandescent bulbs. This means less maintenance for you as the homeowner, and fewer replacement bulbs.

Below you will find information on the lifespan of regular and low voltage lighting.

Incandescent Light Bulb Lifespan

Standard incandescent light bulbs use electricity to heat a filament that produces light. However due to the thin filament used, and the resulting inefficiency of the bulb, the approximate lifespan of an incandescent light bulb is around 1000 hours (41 days of continuous use).

Low Voltage Lighting : Halogen-Tungsten Bulb Lifespan

Low voltage halogen lights are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, because they have a thicker filament that provides less resistance to the passing electrical current.

The result of this is that halogen-tungsten bulbs can produce more light, whilst using far less electricity. This gives them an approximate lifespan of around 3000 hours (125 days of continuous use).

Low Voltage Lighting : Fluorescent Tube Lifespan

Fluorescent tubes employ a different technology to tungsten-halogen lights, and as a result are able to run cooler and more efficiently.

Fluorescent tubes have an approximate lifespan of around 20,000 hours (833 days, or just over 2 years of continuous use).

Low Voltage Lighting : Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Lifespan

Compact fluorescent bulbs employ a similar technology to fluorescent tubes, although on a smaller and more compact scale.

They have an estimated lifespan of around 10,000 hours (416 days, or just over 1 year of continuous use).

Due to the low price of compact fluorescent light bulbs, and their widespread availability, they are currently the most popular form of low voltage indoor lighting.

Low Voltage Lighting : LED Light Lifespan

The recent advancements in LED lighting technology have paved the way for a new and highly efficient form of low voltage indoor lighting.

LED lights have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours (2083 days, or just over 5 ½ years of continuous use). This makes LED bulbs the longest lasting low voltage lighting solution available.

Variations In Low Voltage Lighting Lifespan

It is important to note that the figures given above for low voltage lighting life spans, are approximations based on lab test results.

In reality, the life span of a light bulb can vary depending on how it is used, and the quality of the bulb.

Quality Of Light Bulb

The quality of low voltage energy efficient bulbs can vary enormously. As with any type of product, there are high quality versions and low quality versions.

Generally speaking, lower quality bulbs will not last as long, or be as energy efficient, as the higher quality bulbs.

To select a high quality bulb, look for products which contain an energy efficiency stamp. These will last longer, and be more efficient than bulbs that do not have this stamp of approval.

Use Of The Light Bulb

The numbers given for the lifespan of each low voltage light are for continuous usage. However in reality lights will not be left on continuously, but rather switched on and off throughout the day and night.

This is a major factor which can affect how long your bulb will last. Low voltage lighting such as fluorescent bulbs, are especially sensitive to rapid on/off cycles.

In other words, switching a fluorescent bulb on and off rapidly, will drastically reduce its lifespan.

To maximise the lifespan of your bulbs, you should ensure that they are only used when needed for long durations of time.

However it is important to point out that not all low voltage lighting is sensitive to rapid on/off cycling. For example, LED lights are not affected by duration of use.