High-quality fixtures made of durable materials in low-use areas may last many years, while those in high-traffic zones or made with less durable materials might need replacing sooner. Environmental factors like humidity or exposure to the elements, particularly for outdoor lighting, can also accelerate wear and tear.
One of the biggest advantages of LED light fixtures, is their extended lifespan. While incandescent light bulbs were built to last around 1,000 hours, the most enduring LED light fixtures have been tested to last as long as 100,000 hours. On average LED light bulbs will not have to be changed for at least 20 years.
Fixture Maintenance
Regularly cleaning your fixtures can help prevent issues, but depending on your climate (and the quality of your fixtures), you might need to repair or replace them every 5-10 years.
The lighting industry has standardized the lifetime of an LED fixture at L70 = minimum 50000 hours. The lifespan of LED bulbs does however depend on several key factors and LED luminaire lifetime tends to vary from 10,000 up to 50,000 hours.
If you're replacing bulbs more often than usual, the fixture might be at fault. Persistent issues with bulb longevity can signal underlying problems like poor wiring or socket damage.
Faulty lamps and light fixtures also frequently result in fires.
While it is possible to learn how to replace a light fixture, we always recommend hiring a qualified electrician for this type of job. Should any damage be caused due to faulty installation, you could invalidate your home insurance policy and any electrical fitting warranties.
The copper wire used for electrical wiring today can last 100 years. The problem is with the protective sheathing or insulation, which can wear down a lot sooner. It's the type of sheathing that determines how long the wiring lasts, which is usually 50 to 70 years.
Overheating. Recessed lights can sometimes get too close to the insulation in the ceiling, especially if you have an older home or fixtures. This extra heat can cause the system to automatically turn off or bulbs to burn out.
The average lifespan of LED lighting is at least 35,000 hours. To give you a better idea of how long this actually is: 50,000 hours is roughly the equivalent of 5,7 years if your lighting was on continuously, 24 hours a day.
Light Fixture Replacement
Other reasons to consider replacing light fixtures include when illuminance levels are too low, if the lighting produces glare, or when the light fixture layout produces uneven illumination.
Incandescent globes, on average, last between 700 to 1,000 hours. Halogen globes can last up to two or three times that amount, depending on the quality of the globe. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) last considerably longer, with an average lifespan of between 6,000 and 15,000 hours.
Depending on what you ultimately decide, it can take an electrician as little as 30 minutes to replace a light fixture and up to a full day, depending on the size of your project. In terms of budgeting, you will need to consider the cost of the lighting and labor.
Over time, the connections between the light fixture housing and trim wiring can become loose, causing the light to lose power. If you feel comfortable working with electricity, you can check the wiring connections and tighten any loose ones.
Traditional bulbs needed frequent replacement due to short lifespan and burning out, so separate manufacture of bulb and fixture made sense. LEDs last much longer, up to a decade or more, and integrated fixtures can last up to 50,000 hours of use.
Light fixtures can be recycled through salvage shops or through other community organizations. Salvage shops often have a high demand for working light fixtures, and many community organizations use donated light fixtures when rehabilitating low-income homes.
Learning how to install a light fixture is a simple DIY project. The steps are basically the same as they are for all ceiling-mounted fixtures. The key thing to consider is whether the electric junction box can support the lighting fixture. A junction box houses the wiring connections in the ceiling support.
Theoretically, switching the light off at the switch should cut the power to the fixture and make it safe, however we do not recommend this.
Your Safety is Priority
That said, have a licensed electrician install that new light fixture for you! It's the fastest and simplest way to enjoy your new lights. It's also the safest method, which should be enough reason for you to hire a pro.
If you notice unexpected flickering, humming, or dimming lights in your Sarasota, Florida, home, it can mean there's a problem with your light fixtures. In fact, there are many common problems with light fixtures that may require a higher-than-DIY level of intervention to resolve.
Vintage and antique light fixtures add timeless charm to interiors, but their original wiring and materials may not meet modern safety standards. To ensure these fixtures are both beautiful and safe, inspect for outdated wiring, signs of wear, and hazardous materials.