LED lights are unlikely to start a fire. The bulbs don't get hot enough to ignite anything. The biggest risks are faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. This is often caused by the way they are installed, rather than an issue with the light itself.
Well-made LED lights can be left on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They last extremely long and are relatively safe due to their very low chance of overheating. On average, LED bulbs last between 35,000 and 50,000 hours. LED bulbs convert about 90 percent of energy into light and 10 percent into heat.
Unlike incandescent light bulbs, LEDs don't produce light using heat. This is part of what makes them so energy efficient. The downside is that their components can be sensitive to overheating, which can cause them to burn out prematurely.
Lightbulbs can become very hot and if not used properly can ignite a fire. Example: A few years ago there was a light fixture that was very common in college dorm rooms as it was stylish and fairly cheap. It caused many fires because the shade(s) were made of plastic.
Less Heat, More Light
An LED light in its hottest part is approximately half the temperature of a halogen or incandescent bulb but emits the same amount of light. Traditional lights lose between 60 per cent and 95 per cent of their power to heat, so are far more likely to be a fire risk than LED lights.
Technically speaking, yes, you can leave LED lights on 24/7.
High-quality LED light bulbs have exceptional lifespans and contain components that can withstand constant usage. This is because, unlike traditional bulb types, LED bulbs give off very little heat during operation.
Using an LED bulb in an enclosed fixture when it isn't designed for that may cause the bulb to overheat, potentially causing damage to the light bulb and fixture.
As a general rule, you can leave LED lights on 24/7. They are a very safe and cost-efficient method of lighting. But that does not mean you should, as several consequences come along with keeping them on for that long.
However, do not leave incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lights on for a week. These bulbs can overheat and start a fire if left on for excessive periods. Despite it being OK to leave LED lights on for a week, it is not an effective burglar deterrent.
Warning. Do not cover the lamp with paper or fabric, or place it close to flammable objects while lit up. The heated bulb will pose a fire hazard.
The answer, in short, is YES. LED light bulbs do get hot (contrary to what a lot of people think). But they are way much cooler than energy-guzzling halogen and incandescent bulbs. And most importantly, LED light bulbs do not get in the manner we may assume.
LED light bulbs don't get hot to the touch, but they do produce some heat, as all lights do. All light sources produce some level of heat and LEDs are no different. However, the technology of LED lights allows for less heat creation and for the heat that does build up to escape.
LED technology has improved to better handle the heat, but the lights still tend to underperform at higher temperatures. And when they're subjected to higher temperatures for long periods of time, their lifespan decreases.
LEDs are notable for being extremely long-lasting products, but they can't last forever. The average lifespan of an LED is often rated up to 50,000 hours. This is about 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL.
What is the life span of an LED bulb or light fixture? 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.
And if you are wondering: Are LED lights safe to leave on in a child's bedroom? The answer is YES but only if the fixture is a low-intensity (dim), warm temperature LED light.
LED Lighting
The operating life of a LED is unaffected by turning it on and off. While lifetime is reduced for fluorescent lamps the more often they are switched on and off, there is no negative effect on LED lifetime.
They Don't Burn Out
LED bulbs don't burn out like regular bulbs, which simply stop working abruptly when they run out of power. Instead, LED bulbs slowly degrade over time. After several years, their brightness dims. This is known as “luminous decay.” When they emit faint light, it's time to change them.
That was a pretty in-depth explanation, so we'll break down the cost per lightbulb, per 24 hours below: 60W Incandescent: $0.16 per 24 hours. 43W Halogen: $0.11 per 24 hours. 15W CFL: $0.04 per 24 hours.
However, the cost savings come by helping the bulb last longer. After all, CFLs wear out faster if they're switched on and off frequently. LED: The operating life of LEDs isn't affected by being turned on and off. This means you should make it a habit to always turn off LEDs when you leave a room.
So, is it better to sleep with red LED lights? Science holds the answer! The best night light colors for sleep are red and amber, as they are warm and soothing colors that promote a good night's sleep. It's thought that colors close to red on the light spectrum stimulate melatonin production.
Choose a night light with a low wattage bulb to minimise the risk of fire. LED night lights are a good choice because they use less energy and produce less heat than traditional bulbs.
LED lights and our devices do contain a significant amount of blue light (but with important caveats and qualifications - see below), and the concern is that excessive use during evening hours will cause our bodies to continue the production of melanopsin, making it harder to fall asleep naturally.
Voltage surges can have a destructive effect on electronic equipment, including LED light bulbs. LEDs often require a certain amount of volts, depending on the type and color of the LED. Most experts recommend 2-3 volts for LEDs.