How Long Do Permanent Christmas Lights Last?
Permanent Christmas lights can last 20 years or more, but only if they are installed well and run sensibly. That is the short version. The longer version depends on which part of the system you are asking about, how many hours a night the lights are on, and who did the install.
If you are thinking about permanent lights, this is probably your biggest question. They cost more up front than a box of lights from the hardware store, and nobody wants to pay for something that quits after three winters. Below, we cover what the manufacturers say about lifespan, how to turn their numbers into years, and what you can do to get the most out of your system.
We install and rent holiday lighting across Central and Northern Virginia, so this is written for homeowners who want a plain answer before they spend money.
Contents (tap to open)
The Short Answer
Quick answer
Manufacturers of permanent lighting say their systems should last about 20 to 30 years with normal nighttime use.
Trimlight, for example, says its systems last between 20 and 30 years and comes with a lifetime warranty that covers the lights, the controller and the power supply. Oelo rates its LEDs at 100,000 hours, which it says works out to about 22 years at 12 hours a night.
Those are the makers' own numbers, so treat them as the best case, not a promise. They do tell you something useful, though. With permanent lights, lifespan comes down to how many hours the lights run, not how many Decembers go by.
Turning Hours Into Years
LED lights are rated in hours of use, not years. To see what a rating means for your house, divide the rated hours by the hours your lights run in a year. Lights that run 8 hours a night are on for 2,920 hours a year (8 hours x 365 nights).
Here is what that math looks like for three common ratings. Oelo's own comparison puts lower-cost systems at around 22,000 hours and mid-range systems at around 50,000.
| LED rating | 6 hours a night | 8 hours a night | 12 hours a night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22,000 hours | 10 years | 7.5 years | 5 years |
| 50,000 hours | 23 years | 17 years | 11 years |
| 100,000 hours | 46 years | 34 years | 23 years |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The same lights on for 12 hours a night last about half as long as lights on for 6. That is why a timer matters more than most people expect.
One catch: these ratings are for the LEDs. The controller and the power supply are separate parts, and they sit outside on your house too. Ask whoever installs your system what each part is rated for and what the warranty covers.
What Shortens the Life of Permanent Lights
Heat. Oelo's article calls heat retention one of the leading causes of LED failure. Lights that are driven harder to look brighter tend to run hotter, so brightness is not the only thing to compare when you shop.
Running them all night. Trimlight says its 20 to 30 year figure assumes typical nighttime hours and that running the lights around the clock shortens it. A schedule that turns them off at bedtime is the easiest way to add years.
A poor install. Water that gets into a loose connection is hard on any outdoor electrical part. Sealed connections, sensible spacing and a secure mount are what keep the system running through summer storms and winter freezes. It is a big reason we wrote about why to hire a professional Christmas light installer.
Overloaded outlets. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's holiday safety guidance warns against overloading electrical outlets. That applies to year-round lights as much as seasonal ones, so have the circuit checked before anything is plugged in.
If you would like someone to look at your roofline and tell you what would hold up on your house, you can contact Lights Around and we will walk through it with you.
Permanent Lights vs. Seasonal Lights
Seasonal lights get hung, taken down, boxed up and hung again. All that handling is hard on the wires and bulbs, and tangles are a big part of the reason people give up on them. Permanent lights are installed once and stay put, so that wear never happens.
Permanent is not the right choice for everyone. If you like to change your display every year, or only want lights for a few weeks, seasonal still makes sense. Our roofline Christmas lights are installed for you, and takedown and storage are included in every quote.
If you want lights that do more than December, look at our permanent lighting options. Year-round lighting can switch between warm white and holiday colors, and light bars, RGB cubes and RGB globes work well as accents.
Signs Your Permanent Lights Need Attention
Permanent lights rarely quit all at once. Watch for these:
- A dark section while the rest of the run works. This often points to a loose or wet connection rather than a failed system.
- Flickering, or a color that looks off. If warm white starts to look pink or blue, the controller or power supply is a good place to start.
- One stretch that looks dimmer than the rest, or the whole run looking dimmer than it used to.
- Track or channel that has come loose from the house.
If you see any of these, turn the lights off and have a professional look at it. Opening up outdoor wiring yourself is not worth the risk.
How to Get More Years Out of Your System
Put the lights on a schedule instead of leaving them on all night. Ask for the rated hours and the warranty terms in writing before you buy. Walk around the house twice a year and look for loose track or any section that has gone dark. And fix small problems early, because a wet connection that is ignored tends to get worse.
Permanent Christmas Lights FAQ
How many years do permanent Christmas lights last?
Manufacturers say 20 to 30 years with normal nighttime use. The real number depends on how many hours a night the lights run and how well they were installed.
Do permanent lights burn out like regular Christmas lights?
Not usually. Quality LEDs are rated for tens of thousands of hours. When part of a system stops working, the first things to check are a connection, the controller or the power supply.
Can I leave permanent lights on all night?
You can, but it shortens their life. Trimlight says around-the-clock use cuts into its 20 to 30 year estimate, so a schedule is a better idea.
What is the difference between a 22,000-hour and a 100,000-hour rating?
At 8 hours a night, 22,000 hours is about 7.5 years and 100,000 hours is about 34 years. Both figures come from the manufacturer, so ask what the warranty covers.
Do permanent lights come with a warranty?
It depends on the brand. Trimlight advertises a lifetime warranty on the lights, controller and power supply. Ask any installer for the warranty terms of the exact product they are quoting.
Talk to Lights Around About Permanent Lighting
If you want a straight answer about what would work on your house, get in touch with Lights Around. You can check our service areas to confirm we cover your city. We work across Fredericksburg, Woodbridge and Occoquan, Manassas, Fairfax, Culpeper, Richmond and Charlottesville, among others.
Planning for this season? Our guide to outdoor Christmas light installation near me covers what installation involves and when to book.
Want a straight answer for your house?
Tell us about your roofline and we will walk through what would hold up.
