Light bulbs are often overlooked when it comes to usage and durability.
Most people will wait for a light bulb to die and then quickly swap them out. However, there is a lot more that goes into the longevity of a light bulb and that includes safety requirements for how long it’s used.
You will want to ask, how long can a light bulb stay on safely?
A light bulb can stay on 2,500 hours of usage if it’s an incandescent bulb and it can be left on 24/7. In comparison, an LED light bulb can stay on for up to 50,000 hours of usage but should be turned off when not needed.
If you go past this point, the light bulb might burn out and/or explode depending on how aggressively it’s used. For the most part, it’s best to stay out in front of this and make sure you swap out the light bulb well before their maximum usage number is reached.
If you have multiple light bulbs set up around the property, it’s best to have a maintenance schedule in place.
Keep swapping out the light bulbs on a set date to ensure you are on top of things.
This guide will explain more on how long a light bulb can stay on safely.
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How Long A Light Bulb Can Stay On Safely
- Incandescent Light Bulb – Leave On 24/7 (If Necessary)
- LED Light Bulb – Turn Off When Not In Use
- Flourescent Light Bulb – Turn Off If Not In The Room For More Than 10 Minutes
- Halogen Light Bulb – Turn Off When Not In Use
- CFL Light Bulb – Turn Off If Not In The Room For More Than 10 Minutes
1. Incandescent Light Bulbs (3,500 Hours)
These light bulbs don’t last as long as the others.
For the most part, you are going to have a usage rate that is somewhere between 1,500 and 3,500 hours of use.
It is always recommended to change incandescent light bulbs somewhere within this range. If you push it to the upper end of the limit, the light bulb will likely become increasingly hot and burn out.
A common sign of a light bulb such as this one fading out is the light bulb dimming. You will notice the light not be as strong as it used to be.
This is a good sign to change the incandescent light bulb as soon as possible.
2. LED Bulbs (50,000 Hours)
These are known for being some of the longest-lasting light bulbs on the market right now.
A good LED bulb is not going to let you down easily and will last for a long time. This is why it’s common to use these light bulbs in commercial settings.
LED bulbs have a usage rate of up to 50,000 hours.
However, the range tends to sit somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 hours of use.
In most cases, you will want to continue to keep tabs on the LED light bulb and ensure it is still 100% efficient when it comes to brightness. If it is, you are good to go and the light bulb is going to last for a long time.
3. Flourescent Light Bulbs (36,000 Hours)
These light bulbs are known for lasting and will also be vibrant when set up.
You will want to ensure the light bulbs are well-maintained including the housing they are in.
If so, they are going to offer the longevity and brightness you are after.
In general, the range for the lifespan of this type of light bulb is going to sit somewhere between 25,000 and 36,000 hours of use.
It is best to aim to replace the light bulb in between this range to maximize efficiency.
4. Halogen Light Bulbs (4,000 Hours)
This is not a long-lasting light bulb and has to be kept an eye on at all times.
You are going to have 4,000 hours of usage from a traditional halogen light bulb. However, its range tends to be somewhere between 2,500 and 4,000 hours.
Look to assess how the light sits and whether or not it is dim. If it is getting dimmer when turned on, this means the halogen light bulb is about to die out.
This is usually a good time to change it out.
5. CFL Light Bulbs (50,000 Hours)
These light bulbs will have a lifespan of 35,000 to 50,000 hours.
They are long-lasting light bulbs and it’s recommended to determine their lifespan by looking at the individual bulb. If it is dimming, then it will have to be changed.
Final Thoughts
How long can a light bulb stay on safely?
An incandescent light bulb can stay on 24/7, while an LED light bulb should be turned off when not required. Other light bulbs such as CFL light bulbs and fluorescent light bulbs should be turned off if a person leaves the room for more than 10 minutes.
This is a simple equation to follow and works well to ensure you maximize how the light bulb is put to use.
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