How come LED Light Bulbs only last for about 2-3 Years?

I’ve bought and replaced a lot of light bulbs, and I noticed that all of them said “up to 20,000 hours” which would be about 5 years given 12 hours of daily use (which we definitely don’t).

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
    119·
    2 months ago

    I have a dozen that run 12+ hours a day. I’ve had 1 fail in 5 years.

    Don’t buy cheap LEDs, and don’t put them in enclosures that trap heat.

    • rtxn@lemmy.worldEnglish
      451·
      2 months ago

      Speaking from experience: LED drivers hate dirty power. If they burn out frequently, check the wiring for damage. I probably avoided a house fire.

      • Albbi@lemmy.ca
        181·
        2 months ago

        Dirty power? Aww geez it’s been a few years since I last washed and waxed my power lines. Guess I gotta open up the walls again.

      • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
        6·
        2 months ago

        That’s a good point. LEDs dislike unstable power a LOT more than incandescent or fluorescent.

    • sparky1337@ttrpg.network
      13·
      2 months ago

      Yep. When I moved into my house the previous owner had used all garbage Walmart LED’s. I think I had one fail each month and just bought a bunch on sale from Phillips eventually.

      Most common failure was the driver. So they turned into strobe lights lol. Most annoying failure ever.

      And more importantly, not every LED is dimmer compatible. Sometimes they’re super picky or just plain don’t work.

      • pseudonym@monyet.cc
        21·
        2 months ago

        Can you recommend which ones to buy? I have the strobe light problem and it is indeed very annoying

        • sparky1337@ttrpg.network
          3·
          2 months ago

          Generally I don’t buy anything else other than Phillips. They’re usually bulletproof if you don’t get the smart bulbs. I’ve not had a Phillips fail in ~10 years. But that’s a sample size of like 30 or so bulbs.

          • Blaster M@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            2 months ago

            While I’ve had a Philips fail, it was due to environmental reasons. Otherwise, Philips bulbs have lasted me literal years for hours every day.

            I also run General Electric bulbs, and they’ve also lasted years.

        • snf@lemmy.world
          1·
          2 months ago

          The strobe light problem might also be caused by putting a LED that’s not dimmer-compatible on a dimmer switch