How long do LED garage lights last?

11 Apr.,2024

 

How long does LED lighting really last and what is actually covered by your warranty?

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "LED lighting?" If you're like most people, you probably think of long life ratings or extreme energy efficiency.

But the excitement around LED has actually caused some confusion in many circles. Claims that some products will last seven years or more, for example, make things pretty muddy, especially when those same products fail at the three-year mark.

In fact, the primary frustration I hear from my customers is related to this very topic.

Here's the thing: there's a big difference between warranties and performance claims.

So what does a standard LED warranty look like?

We'll break down what you should expect, what you should look for, and what your options are if you're looking for coverage beyond the standard manufacturer warranty below.

How long do LED products last?

Like so much in lighting, life rating and LEDs is not as straightforward as you might think. 

There are two key terms to understand in this conversation: average rated life and lumen maintenance.

First, average rated life. As defined in our downloadable lighting glossary, average rated life is:

"An average rating, in hours, indicating when 50 percent of a large group of lamps has failed (operated at nominal lamp voltage and current). Manufacturers use three hours per start for fluorescent lamps and 10 hours per start for HID lamps when performing lamp life testing procedures. Every lamp type has a unique mortality curve that depicts its average rated life."

The uniqueness of LED technology requires a different life rating system than the standard you might see with older technologies. Without going into too much detail, most LEDs are rated for how long they will last before a certain percentage of light output has diminished. This way of looking at the longevity of a light source is known as lumen maintenance.

LEDs Magazine published a thorough article on this distinction back in 2011. In it, they explain:

"Rated lumen-maintenance life is measured in hours with associated percentage of light output, noted as Lp. In other words, L70 of 30,000 hours means that the tested LEDs produce 70% of the initial light output at 30,000 hours. If an LED has L50 of 30,000 hours, its lumen output decays faster than one with L70 of 30,000 hours."

This is an important distinction when buying LEDs and considering warranties. Here's what is often missed: the L70 life rating on an LED is not the same as the manufacturer's warranty.

In addition to L70, L/B value can help determine the real lifetime of LEDs in a certain amount of hours. Two common L/B values are L90B10 and L70B50. An L90 of 50,000 hours means the LEDs produce 90% of initial light output at 50,000 hours. B10 means 10% of the product failed to reach 90% lumen (either because of complete failure or a light output less than 90% of the initial light output).

Another important distinction when trying to determine how long an LED product will last: burn time. If you're burning your lamp or fixture 24 hours a day, seven days a week, your product is unlikely to last as many years as it's advertised to, which is a less-specific measurement for life rating than hours.

So how long do LEDs really last? Let's take a specific example:

If you purchase an LED PAR lamp that carries a three-year warranty and an L70 rating of 25,000 hours and you operate the lighting 18 hours per day, 365 days per year, just how long should you expect it to last?

Running your lighting on that kind of schedule gives you an annual burn time of 6,570 hours, so you should reach the L70 threshold about three-quarters of the way through your fourth year of operating the lighting, or about 45 months after installing those PAR lamps. This means that the three-year warranty would expire just a few months before the L70 mark is reached.

Admittedly, this stuff isn't easy. As always, we're happy to help you as you try to work your way through the maze of LED life ratings. 

So what's next? Let's briefly walk through how the various types of LED warranties are structured.

What to expect in a standard LED warranty

Most standard LED warranties last three to five years and cover the cost of replacing the product only. If you hired electrical contractors for the installation of the product, that labor is likely not covered by the manufacturer's warranty, though a handful of manufacturers may cover that cost in addition to the cost of replacement.

To actually claim on a warranty, most manufacturers will want to see the product to ensure that it was properly installed and that user error wasn't a contributing factor to product failure. Unfortunately, based on my experience and conversations with various manufacturers around the country, more often than not, bad electrical wiring or improper installation is to blame for early burnout or malfunction. In fact, products often work totally fine when they arrive at manufacturer headquarters, indicating problems with the customer's socket or electrical system.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to vet your labor partners and do your homework upfront. One way or another, getting an install right will take time and research. It's far better to do that on the front end than to have to scramble and eat a loss down the road.

It's critical to have a detailed discussion with your lighting specialist about the warranty on the product you're considering. Here are key questions to ask:

  • Is labor covered?
  • Does improper installation void the warranty?
  • How long is the warranty period?
  • What components are covered under the warranty?

How to get labor coverage in your LED lighting warranty

As I said above, select manufacturers offer labor coverage as a default clause in their warranties. This is by no means the norm, however. Your lighting specialist should be familiar with those who do and don't.

Even if this type of coverage is not in writing, however, there's always the chance that a manufacturer will extend labor coverage if your project meets certain criteria. This is also uncommon, but I've seen a handful of exceptions made by certain manufacturers throughout my career.

Your best bet for both extended coverage and special labor coverage in a warranty is to look at third party offerings.

How extended LED lighting warranties work

Third party warranties exist for two main reasons: warranty extension and labor coverage.

First, let's deal with extension. You may find yourself in a situation where the standard warranty lasts three years, but you’d like to ensure that you’re covered for, say, six years. If you’re looking for coverage beyond the standard manufacturer warranty, you can actually purchase the equivalent of an “extended warranty” for LED lighting projects. This is something Regency is able to offer through third-party warranty providers.

Second, if you’re in a situation where you pay for commercial lighting maintenance or you want reimbursement for your staff’s time if they have to replace prematurely burned-out products, you may want to consider adding a third party warranty to your project which covers labor. This is also something we offer at Regency, given certain conditions. 

You can read more about how third party LED warranties work in our post, "When to consider an extended LED lighting warranty."

The picture above illustrates a business that used Straits X-Series LED tubes and 4 foot strip lights to replace fluorescent lights in their storage area. Prior to the replacement, the fluorescent lights were noisy and occupying a great deal of ceiling space. The LED T8 tube fixtures greatly reduced the occupied ceiling space, improved the level of lighting, eliminated noise, and provided a more energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting option.

Another benefit of LED technology for garages is the elimination of regular maintenance and servicing normally associated with traditional lighting options. Historically speaking, most home garages looking for solid light output have used fluorescent lights to provide the best lumen output for the dollar. However, these fixtures often come with hidden long term costs that can make a dent in the savings they generate.

The primary concern here is the finite lifespan of the ballasts required to run fluorescent tubes. These can be quite expensive depending on the particular fixture, and require a bit of mechanical know-how to replace. LED lighting on the other hand does not require any regular maintenance or servicing, as the bulbs are sealed units containing all the components required for their operation. This makes their installation and use straightforward and easy for users of any technical skill level, and saves them from unexpected and hidden expenses. A simple wiping down of the lens from time to time is all that is required for LED fixtures, which may not even be necessary depending on the environmental conditions in which it is operating.

In addition to the economic and convenience benefits of LED fixtures, users of these lights will also enjoy exceptionally good lighting quality that is readily noticeable when compared to traditional lighting tech. Quantified using the Color Rendering Index (CRI), the quality of light produced is measured based on its accuracy in replicating natural sunlight. Ranging on a scale of up to 100, the higher the CRI number the more accurate the illumination will be.

Higher CRI ratings make it easier for individuals to see what they are doing, improving safety by reducing the likelihood of accidents and mistakes. It also produces less strain on the eyes due to them not having to work as hard to see the task at hand. LED lights typically have a CRI rating of at least 80-90, which is a solid 10-20 points higher than traditional lighting, especially fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs.

Popular Garage Lighting Fixtures

Due to the widely varied shape and size of garages, there are a number of fixtures that are applicable for this application. Something to keep in mind is that every fixture is designed for a specific purpose, and it is important to select the right one for the area in which it is being installed to ensure the best results.

Generally speaking, the two main factors to consider when choosing a garage fixture are the desired lumen output (how much illumination do you need), as well as the beam angle (how wide of an area do you need illuminated). Below is a listing of the most commonly used LED fixtures for garages.

Bob Villa, a home improvement expert with over 30 years’ experience, published an article discussing ways to improve garage lighting. In this article, he advises measuring your garage to determine your true light output needs. Specifically, he states,

“The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook recommends 50 lumens (a measure of light output) per square foot in residential garages and 300 lumens per square foot in workshop areas. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 50 lumens per square foot for ambient lighting, 300 lumens per square foot in areas that require task lighting, and a moderate 75 lumens per square foot for accent lighting.” (Bob Villa, 2021, Basement & Garage 10 Ways to Improve Your Garage Lighting)

Low Bay Fixtures - Designed to be mounted from lower ceiling heights under 20 feet, low bay fixtures are perfect for serious garage users who want excellent lighting output over a wide area for a modest price. Dollar for lumen, these are some of the best performing fixtures on the market for the money.

Strip Lights - Similar to low bay fixtures, strip lights are a slimmer lighter duty fixture intended for smaller areas and cost conscious customers. They produce good lumen outputs with a wide beam angle, and are very popular for use over workbenches and general illumination duties in a garage.

Vapor Tight Fixtures - As one of the most durable and weather resistant light fixtures available for garages, vapor tight fixtures are popular for areas such as garage entryways, overhangs and more. They are sealed from the elements and are resistant to rain, chemical splashes and dust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the best lights for a garage?
Choosing the best lights for a garage will depend on several factors, namely, the height of the ceiling from which they will be hung or installed on. Generally speaking, for garage ceilings under 20 feet, we recommend a 4 ft LED Strip Fixture with 2 LED bulbs. For ceilings that are around 20 feet high, we recommend a low bay shop lighting fixture that carries between 4 to 6 LED tubes to ensure adequate illumination from this height. On the other hand, if your garage is going to be exposed to high levels of moisture, you may want to consider investing in a vapor-proof fixture to prevent damage to the lights. You can talk to one of our LED experts for more information.

Q. How many lights for a garage?
This is entirely dependent on the intended use of the garage, as well as other factors such as ceiling height, the square footage of the area to be illuminated. As a general rule of thumb, for a typical homeowner garage, an eight foot span of twin tube strip lights is adequate for a single car space. For garages that may see more intensive use, such as home auto shops or woodworking spaces, higher lumen outputs may be desired for optimal visibility. In situations where a garage is either of an odd shape or design, or for very large installations, working with a lighting expert to design a photometric plan will ensure the best possible lighting solution.

Q. How do you wire shop lights in the garage?
Shop lights are a common type of fixture used for workshops in a garage as well as other commercial and industrial areas. Many fixtures come with two or three prong plugs designed to work in standard 120v outlets that make installation as simple as hanging the light and plugging it in. However, other fixtures are a bit trickier to install, due to them requiring hard wiring in order to connect it to the main power in the garage. For hardwired installations, we always recommend consulting the installation guide and any technical literature that came with your fixtures as this can vary on different models and styles of shop lights.

Q. How do you wire and install garage lights?
The installation of a garage light will depend on the type of fixture. Most garage lights will come with a product specification sheet as well as an installation guide. It’s important to check the specifications and installation guide for safety and to ensure the light is properly installed. Here are some examples of guides we offer for our LED garage lights.

https://commercialledlights.com/pub/media/spec-sheets/SL913TK-Specsheet-3.4.2020.pdf
https://commercialledlights.com/pub/media/spec-sheets/SL913TK-Installation-Guide.pdf

How long do LED garage lights last?

LED Garage Lights