The Lifespan of Christmas Lights: A Introductory Guide

As the holiday season approaches, many people find themselves unearthing old strings of Christmas lights or eyeing pre-lit Christmas tree lights and wondering if these festive decorations will still shine bright. 

Dead lights are a major holiday pain and understanding the lifespan of these festive illuminations can help you make informed decisions on whether to repair or replace them.

Christmas lights, a staple of holiday decoration, come in various types, each with its own longevity and maintenance needs.

In this post, we will explore the lifespan of different types of Christmas lights, the elements that affect their longevity, and tips on ensuring they glimmer year after year. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or someone who prefers to leave the decorations to the professionals, this guide will illuminate your options for a festive and bright holiday season.

How Long Do Christmas Lights Last?

Short answer: It depends.

LED lights have revolutionized holiday lighting with their energy efficiency and brighter light output. With an impressive life expectancy, LED bulbs can illuminate your celebrations with a wide variety of colors for 30,000 to 50,000 hours of light output. This means a string of LED lights could last well into the next couple of decades, with average seasonal use.

On the other hand, traditional incandescent lights, once the staple for holiday décor, offer a shorter lifespan. These bulbs generally provide 2,000 to 3,000 hour lifespans, equating to about 10-15 holiday seasons though their coziness comes with the trade-off of energy consumption and durability.

For those seeking professional-grade quality lights, commercial LED string lights, including popular C7 and C9 bulb types, are known for reaching the higher end of the LED lifespan spectrum.

Additionally, modern LED lights are made with sturdy materials such as polycarbonate, making them more robust and often shatterproof compared to the traditional bulb’s fragile glass.

We’ll go into more detail on both below but, in short, while traditional incandescent bulbs lend a classic charm, LED lights shine longer and stronger, providing cost-effective, enduring brilliance to your holiday décor. Remember, the actual shelf life of your Christmas lights can vary based on usage patterns and handling.

Lifespan Of Incandescent Lights

When it comes to holiday lighting, understanding the lifespan of your Christmas lights is key to ensuring a joyful season year after year.

Incandescent bulbs, which are commonly used as tree lights, indoor lights, and outdoor lights, typically require replacement every 4-6 years for optimal performance. Incandescent lights can have a high heat output and the rated life expectancy of these traditional lights spans roughly between 1,000 to 2,000 hours, after which the fragile incandescent filament may fail, thereby rendering the bulb nonfunctional.

Real-world use, however, can dramatically affect these figures. Factors such as how often the lights are handled, as well as the care taken during setup and takedown, can either shorten or extend the actual life of incandescent strings of light.

For instance, if left on continuously, which is highly unlikely due to their shorter lifespan in comparison to LED lights, a strand of incandescent lights could theoretically last for an extensive period ranging from 5 to 46 years.

Regardless of these speculative estimates, it’s crucial to perform regular inspections of your incandescent outdoor and indoor holiday lighting. Look for signs of wear such as exposed wires or areas that may be indicative of necessary replacements to ensure not just a merry but also a safe holiday season.

Lifespan of LED Lights

When considering the lifespan of LED lights, especially during the holiday season, several factors influence their longevity.

Seasonal use of LED lights typically grants them a robust lifespan ranging from 7 to 10 years, far surpassing the 4 to 6 years associated with traditional incandescent bulbs. This is an attribute of their superior energy efficiency and the production of a brighter light with less heat.

However, the life expectancy can vary significantly based on the grade and usage of the lights.

For example, high-quality commercial and professional-grade LED Christmas lights generally last approximately 6 to 7 years with proper off-season storage. On the contrary, leaving LED light strings up all year can reduce their shelf life to just 24 to 30 months, as outdoor elements take a toll.

Retail-grade, consumer lighting, often less durable, tend to have a shorter lifespan. Seasonal users might see them last 2 to 3 years, while continuous use can shorten their life to a mere 6 to 12 months. Buying cheap lights can be one of the biggest mistakes people make.

It’s important to note that while LED bulbs themselves are long-lasting, other components, such as wiring and sockets, may suffer from UV exposure and weather, leading to a reduced lifespan for the strand of lights as a whole.

Careful consideration of the type of lights, whether you opt for indoor lights, outdoor lights, or a pre-lit Christmas tree, can ensure a joyous and well-lit holiday season for many years.

Factors That Affect Light Lifespan

The longevity of Christmas lights is not solely determined by the type of bulb, be it LED or incandescent.

Quality Of the Lights

The quality of lights is a pivotal factor. 

High-quality LED lights, for instance, are often rated for up to 75,000 hours under ideal conditions, though, in practice, this number may be reduced due to external factors such as weather exposure or electrical surges. 

With their complex components and more exposed points of potential failure, incandescent lights are generally more susceptible to these conditions.

The disparity between LED and incandescent lights in terms of durability and performance is stark.

LED Christmas lights typically outlast traditional incandescent lights, with the best professional-grade LED strands lasting about 6 to 7 seasons if properly stored. On the other hand, less expensive LED options, particularly those featuring a 2-piece design, typically have a much shorter lifespan due to their construction quality.

Notably, commercial-grade LED Christmas lights not only last longer but are also brighter and more energy-efficient—requiring about 90% less energy than their incandescent counterparts to produce an equivalent level of brightness.

Light sellers tend to have variably priced lights for a reason: higher quality generally comes with a higher price tag.

This efficiency stems from the minimal heat emitted by LEDs, which contrasts with the heat output of incandescent lights that contributes to their shorter lifespan and higher operational costs.

Furthermore, the color quality of LED lights tends to be purer and richer, making them a more attractive option for many festive displays.

Where They’re Used

Christmas lights serve as a dazzling enhancement to both indoor and outdoor settings but the environment can take a toll.

From tree lights to rope lights, multicolor lights or white lights, animated lights or still all manner of light creations are possible with a little creativity.

However, it’s important to use the right string of lights for the environment.

Environmental conditions such as prolonged sun exposure, extreme temperatures, and moisture significantly impact the lifespan of light strings. These elements can lead to faster deterioration and damage of the lights, causing the vivid glow of your holiday display to dim prematurely.

LED string lights can be used to accent patios, and rope lights offer versatility and can be used creatively for festive pathways, wrapping around door frames, or timber frames but make sure you’re using lights designed for outdoor use!

Especially designed for the outdoors, commercial-grade lighting options like C7 and C9 bulbs boast waterproof qualities to withstand winter elements. These strands of lights are robust choices for outdoor lighting and holiday lighting endeavors that require endurance against the elements.

Trying to use indoor lights outside is a bad idea that will shorten the light lifespan and can even be dangerous as the cords deteriorate.

How Long They’re Lit

When it comes to the operational longevity of Christmas lights, LEDs typically offer a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. Whether it’s new LED lights of more traditional bulbs, every hour they’re lit burns through their life cycle.

No matter how many hours they’re designed to last, you’ll get more use out of your lights if you don’t keep them on 24/7.

You would also be well-advised to ensure that your lights are powered by a quality power supply and conductors of electricity. Fluctuations in your power source or in any power strips or extension cords you use can pre-maturely burn out entire strings of lights.

How They’re Stored

The method of storage for Christmas lights goes a long way in extending their usefulness.

Correct storage can see well-maintained lights last around 6 to 7 seasons. Conversely, opting to leave lights installed outdoors throughout the year can drastically cut their expected lifespan to about 2 to 2.5 years due to the continual exposure to environmental factors.

Before storing lights, a thorough inspection of the entire string is advisable, looking for bare areas or loose, individual light bulbs that signal the need for repair or replacement to ensure safety. When you’ve examined your strands of lights, don’t just stuff them in a box. Carefully and methodically coil them and then put them away. 

If you have a pre-lit tree, take care to gently dismantle and box it to avoid bumping and jostling lights. 

Given the impact of proper storage on safety and performance, some opt for the extra precaution of replacing some of their Christmas lights on a regular, seasonal basis every year to mitigate potential safety hazards and maintain the sparkling cheer of the holiday season.

How Can I Make My Lights Last Longer?

When it comes to prolonging the lifespan of your Christmas lights, both care and the type of lights you use play crucial roles.

 Maintenance practices are essential for prolonging the lifespan of your holiday lighting. For incandescent light sets, promptly replacing burned-out bulbs can prevent increased voltage from being distributed to the remaining bulbs, a common cause of cascading bulb failure. Ensuring maintenance of the lights and their immediate environment is key to preserving their brilliance throughout many holiday seasons.

Minimize Continuous Use

Turn your lights off during the daytime and when they’re not needed. This prevents unnecessary wear and conserves energy.

Protect From The Elements

Shield your lights from harsh weather conditions, as extreme temperatures, salty coastal air, snow, and excessive winds can reduce their lifespan.

Prompt Bulb Replacement

 For incandescent strings, replacing burned-out bulbs quickly is essential. It maintains the electrical balance and prevents overload on the remaining bulbs, which could lead to the failure of the whole string.

Choose Durability

Commercial-grade lights with polycarbonate shells are more resilient against breakage than traditional glass bulbs, while still offering a classic look.

Opt For LED

LED lights not only provide greater energy efficiency but also a longer lifespan. They are particularly effective in cold weather and tend to shine brighter for longer durations compared to their incandescent counterparts.

Remember, good care and consideration in selecting quality lights can significantly affect their life expectancy and ensure your festive display remains bright year after year.

Why Not Let A Professional Bring In Their Lights?

When preparing for the holiday season, the durability and functionality of your Christmas lights are crucial to maintain that festive glow.

While it’s tempting to tackle the decor yourself, hiring a professional like Utah Holiday Lighting can significantly ease the process.

Our professional installers bring our high-quality lights to your site and install them in a way that will make the place shine! Our light creations have been bringing warmth and light to Utah homes, business, government buildings, and television and movie productions for years.

In the event that any issues arise with the lighting, we’ll fix it down to each individual light bulb.

By opting for us, you also benefit from our expertise in selecting the right type of lights—be it traditional incandescent bulbs, which offer a warm glow but have a shorter lifespan, or energy-efficient LED string lights known for their brighter light and extended LED lifespan.

High-quality light strands designed for outdoor lighting applications will be thoughtfully installed, providing a seamless holiday lighting experience with a professional touch.

In short, we offer:

• Guaranteed high-quality, commercial-grade lights
• Maintenance and repair services included
• Expertise in energy-efficient and durable lighting options
• A hassle-free durable lighting setup of outdoor lights
• Bright, lasting holiday ambiance without the concern for light shelf life

Get in touch with us today so we can talk about how we can make your holiday bright.