Swimming pools are a great source of fun and relaxation, especially during the hot summer months. Whether hosting a pool party or just taking a dip to cool off, the proper lighting can enhance the experience. But have you ever wondered how long pool lights last? If you’re a pool owner, it’s essential to understand the lifespan of your pool lights to plan for replacements and avoid any unexpected maintenance costs.
Underwater Pool Lighting
The lifespan of a pool light depends on several factors, including its type, usage frequency, and fixture quality. Common types are LED lights and incandescent or halogen bulbs, each with a lifespan.
LED pool lights are the most energy-saving and long-lasting type of pool light, boasting a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours or more. Not only do they use less electricity and generate less heat, but their colors and brightness can be programmed for fun changes in the atmosphere – adding an exciting dimension to your pool!
Incandescent pool lights are less energy-efficient and durable than LED lights, with an estimated lifespan of around 5,000 hours. Furthermore, they produce more heat and consume more electricity, making them costlier to run and maintain. Additionally, incandescent lights tend to be cheaper initially, giving some pool owners a more budget-friendly option.
Halogen pool lights perform similarly to incandescent bulbs, though they’re slightly more efficient and long-lasting at around 8,000 hours. Although more costly than their incandescent counterparts, halogen lights offer an excellent middle-ground option for those seeking a longer-lasting bulb without spending as much on LED bulbs.
Factors Affecting Pool Light Lifespan
Other than bulb type, other factors can impact light pool longevity. One major factor is usage; the more often your lights are used, the faster they wear out. Furthermore, the quality of the fixture and installation also plays a role; improper installation could cause shorting out in the light’s circuit board leading to premature failure.
How to Extend the Life of Your Pool Lights
Want to extend the lifespan of your pool lights? Here’s some advice on how to do so.
To maximize the lifespan of your pool lights, there are a few steps you can take. One easy tip is turning them off when not in use – this will reduce their usage time and help ensure their longevity.
Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your pool lights operating optimally. This includes cleaning the light fixtures regularly to remove any buildup of dirt or debris, inspecting the wiring and connections for signs of wear or damage, and replacing any damaged parts promptly.
Light Won’t Turn On?
Ensure all breakers, fuses, switches, and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are working correctly. A GFCI outlet may have been wired into your UW light circuit; if its red button has popped out of its socket, power will not continue towards the light. Make sure all these switches are in their ON positions. If a breaker or fuse continues to trip and your light won’t come on, call for service immediately to determine where the fault may lie.
Suppose all switches are on, and we still don’t have light. In that case, it’s time to remove the fixture from its niche and inspect its bulb for continuity (assuming all switches/breakers have been turned off). You can replace burnt bulbs with identical voltage bulbs of either 12 or 120 volts; 12-volt bulbs typically produce 300 watts, while 120-volt bulbs come in either 300 or 500 watts. In either case, we would use R-40, medium-based reflective flood lamps of unique design.
LED bulbs can replace incandescent bulbs and transform a standard pool light into LED color pool lights. Pentair Amerlite pool lights can upgrade to Pentair’s AmerBrite LED replacement bulb. In contrast, Colorsplash 3G LED bulbs offer another solution for replacing standard R-40 style ‘Flood’ bulbs with Multi-Color LED bulbs at a fraction of the cost of replacing an entire fixture with LED pool lights. LEDs save energy and last longer, and they have seven vibrant colors and light shows at a fraction of the cost of replacing an entire fixture with LED pool lights!
Water Behind the Lens?
Finding water behind the lens of a lamp can be pretty shocking. Many times, lamps continue to burn even with water surrounding the bulb. If you spot water running along your light lens, remove the fixture and allow it to air dry completely; wipe surfaces clean to remove dirt or grease buildup; inspect lamp housing for warping around the rim or small pin holes that let water in.
Reassemble with a new bulb and gasket, securely tightening the bezel to the housing to avoid potential gasket leaks. Hold the lamp underwater before reinstallation; if there are intermittent air bubbles coming out of it, your gasket is not making an adequate seal; try again.
Does Your Pool Light Need Adjusting?
With older pool lights, the screw hole at 12:00 can become broken and no longer hold the screw into the light niche. To fix this problem, inserting a product called Light Wedge between the slot and lamp helps secure it securely once again.
Pool Light Conduit Leaking Water?
Pool lights that leak usually do so through the light cord conduit attached to the back of the light niche. Over time this conduit may become crushed or frozen and cracked due to winter damage; Cord Stopper offers a solution by wrapping around your cord/conduit inside the niche – easy-to-use and lasting longer than Pool Putty or Silicone repairs.
Request a Free Estimate
Avoid the hassle and expense of maintaining dim, outdated pool lighting that requires constant replacement. Upgrade to LED pool lights from LD Lighting for a more energy-efficient, long-lasting, and visually stunning experience. Contact us now to discover more about our installation services or to arrange a consultation with one of our team members.
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- Screen Enclosure Lighting
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