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I need to replace a bunch of 4' florescent lights. Upon research, I found that many LED lights are designed so that the tubes are FIXED to the lighting fixture. The claim is that the light tube will last 10 years; when the time is up, the whole light needs to be replaced.
Is this 10-year durability claim true or not? My experience is tubes can go out any time.
In my experience, the LED lights durability is overrated. I still use them but I make sure the units are still easily replaceable. Example, I paid a little extra for outdoor string lights that are still have standard sockets; LED light bulbs screwed in.
I need to replace a bunch of 4' florescent lights. Upon research, I found that many LED lights are designed so that the tubes are FIXED to the lighting fixture. The claim is that the light tube will last 10 years; when the time is up, the whole light needs to be replaced.
Is this 10-year durability claim true or not? My experience is tubes can go out any time.
I replaced the 4' florescent light fixtures in my kitchen and "hobby room" with LED light fixtures. I also replaced a bunch of decorative incandescent light bulbs in our bathroom with individual LED bulbs. The LED light bulbs cost more initially, but they use MUCH less electricity in operation plus the fact that they give off much less heat.
I figure that the LED fixtures and bulbs will pay for themselves in energy savings in about a year. After that, the savings are like free money. And this doesn't even consider the fact that the LED lights offer much better lighting than the florescent or incandescent lights.
I haven't had any of the LED lights in use for more than a couple of years, so I can't tell you if they will last for 10 years or not, but, IMO, they've already paid for themselves plus provided better lighting.
Why not just use the 4’ LED tubes???
No need to replace fixture-
I attempted that already. The LED light has little dots that lit up, but just barely; I only see a row of white dots. What do you think is the issue?
My handyman said something needs to be replaced (is it the ballast?). My handyman is kind of incompetent so I have little confidence is what he tells me. I thought it's easier if I just replace the whole fixtures which are maybe 40 years old. Time to bring them into 21 century.
Yeah, the first things that go out on fluorescents are the bulbs, next come the ballasts. I agree, replace the whole thing, whichever LED fixture you prefer. Look for things like brightness and color temperature, and whether they light up instantly or have an annoying delay.
I attempted that already. The LED light has little dots that lit up, but just barely; I only see a row of white dots. What do you think is the issue?
My handyman said something needs to be replaced (is it the ballast?). My handyman is kind of incompetent so I have little confidence is what he tells me. I thought it's easier if I just replace the whole fixtures which are maybe 40 years old. Time to bring them into 21 century.
The "21st century"???
You just need to upgrade the "light"!
There are two different types of replacement LED tubes- those that work with the already installed ballast- and those that work w/o a ballast (those are just a matter of doing a little "re-wiring- by-passing the ballast).
Make sure you have the right one for the condition.
I really, really try to choose fixtures with replaceable LEDs, but it takes careful shopping. The idea of replacing the entire fixture when its built-in LEDs fail may seem convenient, but it is also unsustainable. Energy saving or not, you're tossing a lot more into a landfill than the LEDs themselves. It's still wasteful; just in a different way.
I saw a farm video where they used these guys to replace their shop lights with LEDs. It might be worth calling them and asking what they recommend. The install lights on 30ft and taller ceilings, so they have to be reliable. https://www.nwlightingsystems.com/our-products/
This video shows the installation of the lights the farm guys chose for their shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBeyLUcgi0M The guys are young and act like it sometimes, but their work is good. I've been impressed with the stuff they've done for repairs and fabrication.
I really, really try to choose fixtures with replaceable LEDs, but it takes careful shopping. The idea of replacing the entire fixture when its built-in LEDs fail may seem convenient, but it is also unsustainable. Energy saving or not, you're tossing a lot more into a landfill than the LEDs themselves. It's still wasteful; just in a different way.
With an all-in-one fixture and bulb, you also have to pay an electrician to replace the entire fixture in 10 or fewer years. I would buy a fixture with replaceable bulbs. I can replace light bulbs without an electrician's help.
When LED bulbs were new, I had more than a few go bad in less than a year. The ones being sold today seem more reliable but I'm still not betting on 10 years.
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