What is the difference between a LED light fixture and a regular light fixture?

Author: Vanessa Schmidt  |  Last update: Saturday, May 10, 2025

While incandescent bulbs typically last only around 1,000 hours - barely a year with several hours of use each day - LED lighting is commonly rated to last 50,000 hours or more, which can conceivably translate into decades at the same rate of use.

Do LED light fixtures require special wiring?

Though most LED lighting fixtures are considered low-voltage, that means they either have a transformer build in or require an external transformer, the good news is, it is not necessary to rewire a house to use LED's. All the wiring that is commonly used in houses is perfectly fine for use with LEDs.

Do you need a special fixture for LED lights?

In most cases, you will not need new fixtures for your LED light bulbs. They are designed to fit easily into existing fixtures. Most LED bulbs come with the same bases as traditional light bulbs.

Is it better to use LED lights or regular lights?

LEDs are the clear winner when it comes to energy efficiency. These little light-emitting diodes use about 75% less energy than their incandescent counterparts and can last up to 25 times longer. What does that mean? In the long run, they're saving you a trip to the store and keeping your wallet a bit thicker.

What is the downside of LED lights?

In fact, LED lighting has only a few intrinsic disadvantages. The most well-known weakness of LED lighting is that LEDs produce a byproduct—heat. LEDs are called sell-heating devices because they generate heat within the device package—rather than radiating heat in the form of infrared energy.

LED Light Bulbs 101 | Ask This Old House

What are the negatives of LED lights?

Children have a higher sensitivity to blue light and although emissions may not be harmful, light from blue-emitting LEDs may be very dazzling for young children. Some LED emission spectra may cause light-induced retina damage, which is a concern especially for children below about three years of age.

Where should you not use LED bulbs?

It may be problematic to utilize them in sensitive situations, high-temperature regions, enclosed fixtures, dimming systems, and places where insects are drawn to light.

Do LED lights get hot?

While other light bulbs can get extremely hot when you turn them on, LED lights usually only get slightly warm, if at all (they may even feel cold to the touch). It is because LEDs use less energy than other bulbs, which means they don't waste as much energy producing unnecessary heat.

How to tell if a light is LED?

How to identify. Most residential LED light bulbs have a typical light bulb shape but are usually made with a plastic shell instead of glass, with only a portion of the body being translucent. Look for an "LED" or "LED LAMP" marking on the bulb as well.

Can LED bulbs be used in any fixture?

Yes, as long as the LED bulb uses less energy than the fixture, you can utilize one with a higher wattage equivalent than what the fixture can accommodate.

What happens when a LED light fixture burns out?

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.

Do LED lights need a special switch?

Ensure that your dimmer switch is specifically designed for LED technology to avoid performance issues. Incompatible dimmers can lead to flickering, buzzing, and reduced bulb lifespan, undermining the benefits of your LED lighting system.

What is the lifespan of an LED light fixture?

The average lifespan of LED lighting is at least 35,000 hours.

What would cause LED lights to flicker?

LED light bulbs often flicker when the dimmer malfunctions. If your LED lights aren't equipped with a dimmer, the cause of the flickering could be a problem with the bulb itself, a problem with the wiring, or a problem with the power.

Do I need an electrician to install LED lights?

Even though LED lights are low voltage, they still require some electrical knowledge to ensure safe installation.

What happens if you wire LED lights wrong?

Wiring Configuration

Incorrect wiring can cause LED lights to display different colors or not function at all.

What does an LED symbol look like?

LED Circuits

The LED symbol is the standard symbol for a diode with the addition of two small arrows denoting emission (of light). Hence the name, light emitting diode (LED). The "A" indicates the anode, or plus (+) connection, and the "C" the cathode, or minus (-) connection.

What is the difference between LED lights and regular lights?

LEDs typically have a cluster of small diodes, whereas incandescents have a visible filament. When lit, LEDs emit an instant, bright light, while incandescents often have a warm-up time and a softer glow. Lastly, consider the heat emitted during use: LEDs remain cool, while incandescents can become hot.

What does LED lighting look like?

LED lighting is very different from other lighting types such as incandescent and CFL. Key differences include: Light Source: LEDs are the size of a fleck of pepper, and can emit light in a range of colors. A mix of red, green, and blue LEDs is sometimes used to make white light.

What are the cons of LED lights?

The Pros and Cons of LED Lights
  • Pro: Long Lifespan. An LED light bulb has the longest lifespan of all the bulb options. ...
  • Con: An Upfront Investment Is Required. ...
  • Pro: Energy-Efficient. ...
  • Con: Not Great for Dimmers. ...
  • Pro: Produce Less Heat. ...
  • Con: They Can Fail Under Heat. ...
  • Pro: Environmentally Friendly. ...
  • Con: Directional.

Do LED lights attract bugs?

Bugs are drawn to various lighting settings like moths are to a flame. Traditional bulbs and lights tend to attract more insects as they emit UV light. While LED lights may attract fewer bugs than traditional lighting options, they are not entirely bug-proof.

Can I leave LED lights on all night?

LED lights may be left on continuously, day and night if that is what is necessary. They're safer than traditional filament bulbs, which can cause fires if left on for too long. They're much less dangerous than other options. LED lights' long service life is a major financial benefit for their owners.

Is it OK to put LED bulbs in regular fixtures?

Check the fixture label or consult a qualified electrician to determine the maximum wattage for the fixture. Base type: Make sure the base of the LED bulb is the same size and type as the socket in your old light fixture. Common base types for LED bulbs include Edison screw (E26 or E27), bayonet cap (B22), and GU10.

Is it OK to sleep with my LED lights on?

And in this way, a fire can break out. But with LED strip lights, it is safe to leave them on all night. These lights emit near-to-nothing heat. They are highly efficient, and their heat dissipation is excellent.

What fails in LED lights?

The common problems with LED lighting are namely unexpected outages, flickering, dimming issues, and color inconsistency. Additionally, users often face challenges with power supply compatibility, heat dissipation, and premature failure, which may result from substandard components or improper installation.

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