How Long Do Pool Lights Last?

Pool lighting is a worthwhile investment for pool owners looking to boost the safety, aesthetics, and functionality of their pools. But how long do pool lights last?

The lifespan of your pool lights is important to keep in mind when deciding what type of lighting to use. Pool lights come in a variety of options for different applications, but they all have a life expectancy. ePoolSupply is here to fill you in on pool lights, their life expectancies, and what factors affect their performance.

Types of Pool Lights and Their Lifespans

With many different types of pool lights available, it’s important to note their differences when it comes to lifespans. Here are the different types of pool lights and how long they typically last:

Incandescent Lights

Incandescent lights are underwater pool lights that typically last between 800-1000 hours. This type of lighting emits visible light through thermal radiation. Incandescent pool lights aren’t known for their efficiency, but they can reach far distances.

With a short lifespan, large amounts of energy consumption, and high maintenance costs, incandescent pool lights are starting to become less popular than other options on the market.

Halogen Lights

Halogen lights are a type of incandescent lighting with improvements. The main difference between the two is that with halogen lights, the glass shell of the halogen lamp is filled with some halogen gases.

The halogen variety is known to last four times longer than the original incandescent light. While newer options do outlast halogen lights, they still offer higher brightness and better light efficiency than incandescent lights.

LED Pool Lights

LED pool lighting is a newer, more popular option. LEDs are light-emitting diodes within a solid-state device that converts electricity into light. LEDs are known for numerous advantages such as smaller sizes, low consumption of power, eco-friendliness, high brightness, a longer lifespan, color-changing options, and more.

Under the right conditions such as proper voltage and currents, LED lights can last longer than 50,000 hours. LEDs dominate the current pool lighting market, and for good reason.

Fiberoptic Pool Lights

Fiberoptic pool lights are housed out of the water and far away from the pool in a power box. Light travels from the box to the pool through a cable. Fiberoptic pool lights allow the user to program them to create beautiful and exciting light shows that mimic twinkling stars or dancing, racing points of light.

Fiberoptic lights can last up to 50,000 hours but are dimmer and less powerful than LEDs. The distance between its power source and the pool weakens the light received.

Factors That Affect How Long Pool Lights Last

There isn’t one particular factor that affects the lifespan of a pool light. Here are the factors to consider when it comes to the lifespan of pool lights:

• Quality of the Light and Components. The materials pool lights are housed in play a big role in their life expectancy. Pool lights encased in stainless steel last longer than the plastic variety due to better protection against corrosion.
• Installation and Electrical Factors. To get the most out of your pool lights, proper installation is needed. Improper installation can lead to electrical issues and lighting that simply doesn’t work. Failure in one or the other will hinder the pool light’s longevity and abilities.
• Environmental Conditions. The environment that your pool lights are in will also affect their lifespan. Weather conditions and fluctuating temperatures can have an impact on the water chemistry which can then directly and negatively affect the pool lights themselves.
• Usage Patterns. One of the biggest factors that affect the longevity of pool lights is usage. The more frequent pool lights are used and for longer periods, their lifespans are bound to take a hit. Make sure to also avoid constant on-and-off cycling of the pool lights, this puts a fair amount of wear and tear on the lights. Overall, being mindful of usage patterns will help keep pool lights lasting longer.

Signs It's Time for a Pool Light Replacement

Tracking the number of hours spent using your various pool lights isn’t feasible. Thankfully, there are telltale signs that indicate it’s time for a replacement. Signs that it’s time for a pool light replacement include:

• Dimming or Flickering Lights. If you notice flickering lights or the lights are dimmer than usual, the pool lights are nearing the end of their service. It’s also a possibility that they’re not fully hooked up or secure.
• Color Changes. Are your pool lights shifting between colors when they aren’t supposed to? This can indicate a loose connection, moisture in the light, or a malfunction. If tightening up the connections and removing excess moisture doesn’t work, it’s time for replacement.
• Water Infiltration or Visible Damage. Water infiltration, especially in substantial amounts, is bound to lead to damage to the light. If you notice excessive water infiltration or visible damage, replacement of the lights or housing will be necessary.
• Increased Energy Consumption. If you notice a sudden increase in energy usage from pool lights, something is forcing them to work harder than usual. This can be tracked to multiple causes, if all else fails, replacement is recommended.

Explore ePoolSupply’s Pentair Pool Light Collection

For all of your pool lighting needs, visit our Pentair pool light collection page. ePoolSupply offers pool lights in different sizes for diverse applications so you can transform your pool space into a beautiful oasis.

How To Make Pool Lights Last Longer

To make your pool lights last longer, start by choosing quality products. Investing in high-quality lights and components will pave the way for longevity. You can also use timers and controls to your advantage. Automated lighting schedules prevent the lights from being used too often.

If your pool lights are older, you can also upgrade to more energy-efficient lights like LEDs. Correct installation and maintenance go a long way. Correct installation techniques will provide the best service and regular ongoing maintenance will keep pool lights running at peak performance throughout their lifespan.

Pool Light Maintenance Tips

Like many other components, maintenance is one of the most important factors to keep your pool lights running at an optimal level. Here are some maintenance tips to help achieve that:

• Perform regular inspections and cleaning to monitor damage and debris
• Ensure proper sealing and waterproofing to make sure seals are intact and functional
• Balance pool chemistry by testing pool water and maintaining optimal pH and chemical levels
• Schedule professional maintenance on a monthly or seasonal basis for inspections and any needed repairs

Pool Lights FAQ

How long do LED pool lights typically last?

LED pool lights typically last up to 50,000 hours. With proper maintenance, care, and conditions, they can last even longer.

Can pool lights be repaired, or do they need to be replaced?

Sometimes all that is needed to fix a pool light is a simple repair, but certain situations may require replacement. A worn-out gasket, bad bulb, or broken conduit seal can be fixed by repairs. Let it be known that a pool light must be replaced if it suffers extensive damage or is infiltrated by water.

What causes pool lights to go out?

Pool lights can go out for a multitude of reasons including improper connections, age, electrical and environmental complications, wear and tear, water infiltration, and more.

How often should pool lights be inspected or maintained?

To keep pool lights at an acceptable performance level, they should be inspected and maintained on a monthly or seasonal basis.

How often do you need to replace pool lights?

The timing of replacement depends on the type of pool lights and other factors. Incandescent pool lights will need to be replaced after 800-1000 hours of usage while LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours.