Top 24 How Long Can A Light Bulb Stay On Safely 12159 Good Rating This Answer

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1.)

Leaving lights on when you are gone is not only a fire hazard but also increases your electricity bill. Lightbulbs can become very hot and if not used properly can ignite a fire.But, Is it safe? Low wattage LED bulbs are safe to leave on all night without the risk of overheating or fire. While this will result in a minor increase in electricity consumption, leaving some lights on can help with fear of the dark, easier navigation, and security. LED bulbs are cool to the touch.Typically (depending on use), incandescent bulbs will last for about 2,000 hours — that’s usually less than a year if turned on 6-hours a day. But why does this happen? The main reason is that the filament in regular bulbs is made of tungsten rather than carbon, as in the “Centennial Bulb”.

Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7 And Why You Shouldn’t Do It!

Type of Bulb	Average Lifespan
LED	35,000 – 50,000 hours
Incandescent	750 – 2,000 hours
Fluorescent	24,000 – 36,000 hours
Halogen	2,000 – 4,000 hours

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9 thg 4, 2020

Contents

Can a light bulb catch on fire if left on?

1.)

Leaving lights on when you are gone is not only a fire hazard but also increases your electricity bill. Lightbulbs can become very hot and if not used properly can ignite a fire.

Is it okay to leave a light on all night?

But, Is it safe? Low wattage LED bulbs are safe to leave on all night without the risk of overheating or fire. While this will result in a minor increase in electricity consumption, leaving some lights on can help with fear of the dark, easier navigation, and security. LED bulbs are cool to the touch.

How long will a light bulb last if you never turn it off?

Typically (depending on use), incandescent bulbs will last for about 2,000 hours — that’s usually less than a year if turned on 6-hours a day. But why does this happen? The main reason is that the filament in regular bulbs is made of tungsten rather than carbon, as in the “Centennial Bulb”.

What happens if you leave lights on for too long?

If you leave the light on for too long, the battery will drain and the car will no longer start. But in most cases this does not mean that you now have to call a garage or the breakdown service. A kind neighbour or a friend can usually help.

Is it safe to leave a light on for 2 weeks?

Don’t Leave the Lights On

Leaving lamps and overhead lights on while you’re away is not only dangerous, but it increases your electric bill. Light bulbs can become very hot and even ignite a fire.

How long does it take for a light bulb to start a fire?

Tests we have conducted indicate that paper wrapped around a 100 watt incandescent bulb will ignite in about 6 minutes. A 60 watt bulb will take longer; around 20 minutes while a 40 watt bulb will take up to an hour or more but is susceptible to failure of the filament without ignition of the paper.

Can you leave a lamp on for 3 days?

If you leave a bulb on for too long, it could cause a fire. So, make sure to keep this in mind before deciding to leave your desk lamp on overnight. You should also consider using motion sensors or timers that will automatically switch it off when not in use.

Can a night light catch on fire?

fire. Nightlights can become excessively hot, causing them to melt and pose a risk of fire if they come in contact with flammable materials, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Can a lamp cause a house fire?

Light bulbs can be used in almost every room of a house for efficient lighting, but you need to be sure that you use your light bulbs properly if you want to keep a safe home. Incandescent light bulbs can cause dangerous fires if they are not used correctly.

Is it OK to sleep with LED lights on?

All artificial light, including LEDs, fluorescent bulbs and incandescent bulbs, can interrupt normal sleep patterns. The body’s biological clock works in rhythms that are set by the amount of light and dark the body is exposed to.

Does turning lights on and off shorten bulb life?

All lightbulbs have a nominal or rated operating life, which is affected by how many times they are turned on and off. The more often they are switched on and off, the lower their operating life.

Do LED lights get hot enough to start a fire?

LED lights are unlikely to start a fire. The bulbs don’t get hot enough to ignite anything. The biggest risks are faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. This is often caused by the way they are installed, rather than an issue with the light itself.

How long can interior lights be on before battery dies?

Most car batteries (non-deep cycle) are about 50ish amp hours. At 12V that works to about 600 watt hours. That little light was probably about 15-25 watts. It could take anywhere from 25-40+ hours to drain that battery with a light such as that.

Should you leave a light on when you leave?

Police and security experts would all say yes, but which lights should you leave on. Its a well known fact that burglars prefer to target empty homes. So to minimise the risk of being targeted whilst your away it makes sense to make it look like your home is occupied.

Can heat from a light bulb cause a fire?

Light bulbs in enclosed fixtures are also at a high risk for fire because heat is not able to dissipate as well. Bulbs inside a glass scone or globe can be more prone to fire than other bulbs. If a bulb overheats, it can damage a fixture and melt the socket inside of it, starting a fire.

Can turning the lights on and off cause a fire?

When this happens, a small spark on the electrical contacts will be emitted whenever you turn the light on and off. Soon the contacts won’t meet properly, and electricity will flow more freely, creating heat. Again, this is a fire risk.

Can a light bulb overheat?

Using a light bulb with too high of wattage can lead to overheating of the light bulb. This heat can melt the light socket as well as the insulation of the wires.

Can an LED light bulb start a fire?

LED lights are unlikely to start a fire. The bulbs don’t get hot enough to ignite anything. The biggest risks are faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. This is often caused by the way they are installed, rather than an issue with the light itself.

How long can light live? Can it die? [Explained]

Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7 And Why You Shouldn’t Do It! – LED & Lighting Info

Article author: ledlightinginfo.com
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Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7 And Why You Shouldn’t Do It! – LED & Lighting Info Updating With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to forget about seemingly trivial tasks such as turning the light off when you leave a room. It’s just a light, right? What difference does it make? Whether it’s simply a bad habit, or there is an actual need for you to keep your
Table of Contents:

How Often LED Lights Burn Out Compared To Incandescent

How Long Can A Light Bulb Stay on Safely

How Long Can You Leave LED Strip Light On

Final Words

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Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7 And Why You Shouldn’t Do It! - LED & Lighting Info — Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7 And Why You Shouldn’t Do It! – LED & Lighting Info

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Table of Contents:

1) Leaving lights on when you are away

2) Improper use of extension cords

3) Not Conducting Frequent Chimney Cleanings

4) Leaving food unattended on the stoveopen flame

5) Forgetting to clean the dryer filter

6) Leaving candles lit (unattended)

7) Using space heaters improperly

8) Using a higher wattage bulb than a lamp calls for

9) Doing your own electrical work

10) Smoking indoors

11) Storing old flammable materials

12) Usage of old appliances or using appliances incorrectly

Do You Make These Common Fire Hazard Mistakes?

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Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Is It Safe To Leave Lights On All Night? Updating Low wattage LED bulbs are safe to leave on all night without the risk of overheating or fire. Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents:

Can LED Lights Be Left ON for a Week

Do Lights Keep Burglars Away

Considerations for leaving the light on all night

Conclusion

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Is It Safe To Leave Lights On All Night?

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Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Everlasting Lightbulbs? They Exist. Well, Existed | IE Updating “How many people does it take to change a lightbulb?” With an everlasting one, none. longest lasting lightbulbs, oldest light bulb, centennial bulb hoax, light bulbs that last forever, world’s oldest light bulb
Table of Contents:

Do light bulbs that last forever exist

Why do incandescent bulbs burn out

What are the world’s other longest-lasting light bulbs

What is the world’s oldest light bulb

Why are no everlasting bulbs commonly available today

What are some examples of planned obsolescence today

What are the pros and cons of planned obsolescence if any

Planned or inherent obsolescence

What can be done about planned obsolescence

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Can LED Lights Be Left On 24/7 And Why You Shouldn’t Do It!

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to forget about seemingly trivial tasks such as turning the light off when you leave a room.

It’s just a light, right? What difference does it make?

Whether it’s simply a bad habit, or there is an actual need for you to keep your LED lights on for long periods, it’s essential to make sure you understand the environmental and safety risks associated with extended use.

To put it simply, well-manufactured LED lights are extremely long-lasting and can be left on 24 hours, 7 days a week. This is because, unlike conventional types of light, LEDs produce minimal amounts of heat, which means they are unlikely to overheat or set on fire.

As with all electrical devices, however, this isn’t without caveats. In some scenarios, LEDs can and will fail. So whether you should leave LED lights on 24/7 is an entirely different question.

In this article, I’ll be discussing how long LED bulbs can last in comparison to traditional light bulbs, and exactly how safe it is to leave them switched on.

How Often LED Lights Burn Out Compared To Incandescent?

In the past, people only had one option when choosing how to light their homes and properties, incandescent light bulbs.

According to BetaNews, by 2010 50% of light fixtures around the world were still using 60-watt incandescent bulbs. They continue to be popular because incandescent bulbs are extremely cheap to manufacture and purchase.

Incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a wire filament until it glows. This metal wire is surrounded by a translucent glass bulb that is either evacuated or filled with an inert gas.

On average, each incandescent bulb typically lasts between 750 and 2000 hours. However, the fragility of the filament means that this rarely happens, and incandescent bulbs usually burn out a lot quicker.

Filaments do not evaporate heat evenly, which causes some areas to become thinner and weaker than the rest.

As this happens, thinner parts of the filament suffer less heat dissipation and more thermal stress. This mechanical stress continues until the wire either melts or snaps. Incandescent bulbs are, therefore, prone to burning out.

Fortunately, technological advancements have brought us a range of other lighting options, including LEDs. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produce light using a semiconductor.

Electrons in a negatively charged component use electricity to pass over to holes in a positively charged component, in turn producing light.

Typically, LED bulbs can last between 35,000 and 50,000 hours. This is over 17x more than the lifespan of an incandescent bulb!

Furthermore, since LEDs do not contain a filament, they do not burn out in the same way as incandescent bulbs. In fact, LED bulbs rarely burn out at all. Instead, they dim with age.

On the rare occasion that an LED bulb does burn out, this is not usually because of the diode itself.

LEDs contain a complex capacitor that converts AC to DC. This capacitor chemically decays over time, and will eventually cause the bulb to stop working.

How Long Can A Light Bulb Stay on Safely?

We’ve all heard horror stories about major house fires caused by dodgy light bulbs. But how true are these tales?

Well, it’s impossible to dictate precisely how long a bulb can stay on before it becomes unsafe.

This depends on a variety of circumstances, such as the type of bulb, the quality, the ambient temperature, etc.

What we do know, however, is that traditional types of lighting are much more hazardous than LED lights.

Conventional types of lighting produce heat. The energy given off by incandescent bulbs, for instance, is 90% heat and only 10% light. All-in-all that’s a lot of heat, and bulbs get hotter the longer they’re left on.

Overheated bulbs are dangerous as they are likely to damage or melt their internal components, causing a fire.

This risk is increased if bulbs are in enclosed fixtures, the air circulation is reduced, or a higher watt bulb is used in a lower watt light fixture. For this reason, conventional bulbs should not be left on permanently or for extended periods.

LED bulbs, whereas, are cooler and safer than ever before. According to the Centre for Nanoscale Science, LED bulbs are 90% efficient at turning energy into light, so only 10% is emitted as heat. Furthermore, well-designed LEDs also contain heat sinks to draw any excess heat away from the bulb.

Despite this, if an LED bulb starts to overheat the bulb will simply dim, rather than melt or cause internal damage. Ultimately, this means that LED bulbs are very safe, and ideal for prolonged or extended use.

Type of Bulb Average Lifespan When should you turn it off? LED 35,000 – 50,000 hours Can be left on 24/7 Incandescent 750 – 2,000 hours Turn off when not needed. Fluorescent 24,000 – 36,000 hours Turn off when you’re going to be out of the room for more than 15 minutes.* Halogen 2,000 – 4,000 hours Turn off when not needed. CFL 35,000 – 50,000 hours Turn off when you’re going to be out of the room for more than 15 minutes.*

*CFL and Fluorescent bulbs are not built to be turned on and off frequently. Doing so will decrease their operating life.

Is it Safe to Leave LED Lights on 24/7?

Technically speaking, LED lights can be left on 24/7. However, if they are not being used this is an unnecessary waste of finite resources.

Powering a light bulb requires energy from a power plant. Not only do power plants cause substantial air pollution because of the harmful gases they release, but they also result in a loss of freshwater. In addition to this, leaving lights switched on causes light pollution, which radically disrupts the world’s ecosystems and hinders astronomical research.

It is estimated that the average household devotes 5% of its energy usage to lighting. Wasted energy adds up fast, and it has an extremely harmful impact on our planet. Before you start leaving your LED lights on 24/7, think about whether it’s really necessary.

How Long Can You Leave LED Strip Light On?

LED strip lights have been popular across the globe for over 50 years. Available in a variety of colors, brightness’s and lengths, they’re an easy way to freshen up your home or property.

LEDs, as you know, do not produce excessive amounts of heat, which means that strip lights are ideal for small and contained spaces, such as underneath kitchen counters. In most cases, LED strip lights can, therefore, be left on 24/7. However, it’s important to stress-test your lights before you expose them to extended use.

Unfortunately, many of the cheap LED strip lights that are available to purchase are poorly manufactured. Not only are they overvolted, but they’re also often undercooled and poorly wired as well, which is extremely dangerous. High quality LED strips may cost more money, but they often come with a warranty that confirms the use of genuine, safe components.

Can Christmas Light Stay on All Night?

In the past traditional Christmas tree lights were made using incandescent bulbs. When one bulb blew, the rest of the lights in the strip would take its energy and burn even hotter. From what I’ve described, it’s easy to see why Christmas tree fires were so common.

But what about nowadays, do LED Christmas lights present the same threat?

Thankfully, because they are cool to touch and dim over time, LED Christmas lights are much safer. If one bulb fails, the rest of the strip should remain the same. Furthermore, since they operate at a very low voltage, children and pets who touch a broken bulb will not receive a shock.

That being said, it’s a good idea to turn off your Christmas lights at night to allow the transformer to cool down.

The transformer is responsible for reducing the voltage of the electricity supply down to the low voltage that the Christmas lights need. Understandably, transformers can get very warm, so it’s important to keep it well ventilated and never cover it with curtains or presents.

Final Words

It’s fair to say that when it comes to lifespan, LED lights outperform their competitors by a mile.

From Christmas lights to strip lights, no matter what form you buy them in, LED lights are ideal for prolonged use.

If you have lights in your home and property that need to stay on permanently or for extended periods, it’s worth switching to LEDs. Not only will you notice a drop in your energy bills, but you’ll also be reducing your carbon footprint.

Although close, remember, LED lights aren’t entirely environmentally friendly, so you should only leave them on 24/7 where it’s 100% necessary.

If you leave your lights on 24/7, why do you need to do it?

How often do they overheat and burn out?

Leave a comment down below, I’m eager to find out more.

Is It Safe To Leave Lights On All Night?

Do you have a lamp that you like to keep on throughout the night? It’s a common feature in most homes. But, Is it safe?

Low wattage LED bulbs are safe to leave on all night without the risk of overheating or fire. While this will result in a minor increase in electricity consumption, leaving some lights on can help with fear of the dark, easier navigation, and security.

LED bulbs are cool to the touch. They will not overheat which make them a great option for a light that stays on for long durations.

Before leaving a light on you’ll want to make sure the surrounding are safe. You’ll want to use a proper lamp with no visible damage on the cord.

You’ll also want to ensure there is proper space between the bulb and the shade. If they are touching, you may want to get a different size shade.

Lastly, never drape fabric or paper over a lamp. This can be a fire hazard! If it didnt come with the lamp, don’t put it on the lamp.

Read on to learn more about what kinds of lights are best to leaving on all night and what to avoid.

Can LED Lights Be Left ON for a Week?

Fortunately, LED lights are cool to the touch and don’t present a fire hazard as a result.

They can be left on for a week or longer. However, if you are planning to be out of town or away for a long period of time you may want to look into a timer.

This timer is great for any lamp. You can set time for the light to turn on in 30 minute intervals. It’s great for when you leave town and want to have lights going on or off at random times.

The best part? You can often get these for $5!

Check Current PriceSEE IT

Do Lights Keep Burglars Away?

Burglars are brazen and often unpredictable. However, keeping a light on can help to increase the safety of your home.

Burglars are less likely to enter a home with lights on. They are more likely to try and break into dark houses as they are more likely to be vacant.

However if you are away for long periods of time and only have one light on all day long, this can also be a sign that nobody is home.

To prevent this you can get a timer and randomize the times that the lights are one. An even better idea is to have this on multiple lamps in multiple rooms. This will give the impression that people are home and moving about the house.

Considerations for leaving the light on all night

Relieving nyctophobia (Fear of the dark)

Nyctophobia is a condition whereby people fear the dark. Night lights illuminate a room and can be soothing.

The nightlight normally emits a soothing and delicate glow, which discloses a room’s comprehensive layout without the need for the primary light source to be turned ON.

Night lights can give adults and children a sense of safety when they are falling asleep. They are available in standard small squares or fun multicolor shapes or characters.

Better Visibility

A lamp or night light can make sure walkways or stairs are visible during the night. This can help keep those late night injuries at bay.

Have you ever stubbed your toe on the end of the bed on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night? How about all those kids toys thrown about their bedroom?

A light can help you see the obstacles before you feel them 😉

Security

Ensuring the lights are on during the night usually deters robbers and thieves who usually break into homes to steal valuables.

A dark home is a more vulnerable home!

Increased Cost

Leaving any light on can increase your electric bill but it’s a minor increase. You can help control this cost with your selection of bulbs.

Low wattage bulbs and LED bulbs will give you the most bang for your buck. They also last around 10 years!

Conclusion

Low wattage, LED bulbs are safe to leave on all night. LED bulbs are cool to the touch. They will not overheat which makes them a great option for a light that stays on for long durations.

Before leaving a light on you’ll want to make sure the surrounding are safe. You’ll want to use a proper lamp with no visible damage to the cord.

Timers can assist in managing when your lights are on or off and can give you peace of mind while you are away.

Related Posts

Everlasting Lightbulbs? They Exist. Well, Existed

Could we ever create a lightbulb that lasts forever? If we could, should we?

As you are about to find out, they have been created in the past, but they risked not proving beneficial for all concerned if they became widespread.

Let’s find out why.

Do light bulbs that last forever exist?

Given the amount of money you are likely to spend on replacing spent lightbulbs every year, you might be wondering if there are any that could, theoretically, last nearly forever. As it turns out, there actually is.

The world’s longest-running lightbulb, the “Centennial Bulb”. Source: centennialbulb.org

Called the Centennial Light, this is the world’s longest-lasting lightbulb. It is located at Firestastion No. 6, 4550 East Avenue, Livermore, in California. Operated by the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, the bulb was first installed in 1901.

Incredibly, it has remained illuminated pretty much constantly ever since (with the exception of being moved several times throughout its history).

To date, the bulb has been running for well over a million hours — a feat that puts many of today’s “longlasting” bulbs to shame.

It was originally installed at the fire department’s Hose Cart House but was later moved to the main firehouse the same year. In 1903, it was moved again to Station 1, and later survived a renovation of the building in 1937.

For the first 75 years of its operation, the bulb was connected directly to the 110-volt city power system and was moved again, under police and fire truck escort, to its present location. The bulb is currently connected to its own independent 120V power source with a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). In 2013, the UPS actually failed, and the bulb was off for around 9.5 hours.

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According to the bulb’s official website, when it was finally reconnected, the bulb shone at 60 watts for a few hours before dimming again to its “usual” 4 -watt condition. Why this happened remains a mystery.

Handblown, the bulb operates at low power, about 4-watts, and was designed to provide just enough nighttime illumination for crews to see. The “Centennial Bulb” is a type of improved incandescent bulb that was invented by Adolphe A. Chaillet and was made by the Shelby Electric Company. The bulb’s filament is made of carbon and has a maximum wattage of 60 watts.

The bulb was, according to historical records, originally donated to the fire station by Dennis Bernal of the Livermore Power and Light Company.

The was first turned on in 1901. Source: Rjaerial/Wikimedia

This is an incredible achievement, and one that has been officially recognized by the Guinness World Records. Interestingly, the bulb’s continuous illumination is likely the secret behind its longevity, as we’ll discuss in the next section.

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At present, the Fire Department plans to allow it to run for as long as it can. If, and when, the bulb finally fails, there are plans to display the bulb in a specially designed museum with other fire fighting equipment.

Visits to the bulb are available on request and/or availability of fire crew at the station. Other than that, visitors can view the bulb through an external window.

Why do incandescent bulbs burn out?

As impressive as the record for the “Centennial Bulb” is, you will know from experience that typical incandescent bulbs have a much shorter lifespan. Typically (depending on use), incandescent bulbs will last for about 2,000 hours — that’s usually less than a year if turned on 6-hours a day.

But why does this happen?

The main reason is that the filament in regular bulbs is made of tungsten rather than carbon, as in the “Centennial Bulb”. When operational, this filament burns white-hot in order to give off visible light.

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In fact, only about 5% of the electricity used in such bulbs is converted to light. The rest is “wasted” as heat. In essence, incandescent lightbulbs can be described as heated lamps that give off a little bit of light as a byproduct. This is one of the main reasons that incandescent bulbs are an important factor when calculating the required heating and cooling costs of a building, and why they are being phased out in many countries.

But we digress.

On the atomic level, the excessive heat involved in keeping these bulbs illuminated results in tungsten atoms changing from solid-state to gaseous vapor over time. This causes the filament to thin as mass is removed from it.

Not only that, but this thinning is not uniform over the filament, with some parts thinning at different rates to others. It is these thinner spots that will later prove fatal to the bulb.

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In vacuum bulbs, the free tungsten atoms collect on the inside of the glass, and the glass starts to get darker. Many modern light bulbs, however, use inert gases, such as argon, to reduce this loss of tungsten. When tungsten atoms evaporate, they collide with an argon atom and bounce back, rejoining the filament.

When the bulb is active, the current running through it is equal, but the filament thickness is not. This causes the thinner parts to burn hotter, and hotter, accelerating the evaporation of tungsten over time.

The problem is also compounded by the act of turning the bulb on and off continuously.

Every time this happens, the filament cools, and shrinks, creating microscopic cracks in the filament — further compounding the problems described above. Called thermal cycling, the constant thermal expansion and contraction of the filament reduce the lifespan of the bulb significantly.

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This is partly due to the reduced electrical resistance of the metal when cold, which allows more current to pass through it than once the metal has heated up. This process usually takes milliseconds.

When you think about it, it is small miracle that these bulbs do not burn out sooner. The small filament of tungsten must resist a change in temperature from room temperature to around 3,000 degrees Celsius (5,432 degrees Fahrenheit) in less than a few thousandths of a second!

That is very hot, to put it mildly. In fact temperatures like this are about half that of the surface of the sun.

At these kinds of temperatures, most materials will either melt or burn. It is for this reason, that one of the developers of the modern lightbulb, Warren De la Rue, came up with the bright idea (pun intended) of enclosing the filament (which was platinum in his bulb) in a vacuum, removing most of the oxygen so there would be fewer gas molecules to interact with the platinum, making it last longer.

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This is usually not a problem for new or well-made bulbs, but as the filament weakens over time, there will come the inevitable moment when this surge proves too much for the filament and it breaks.

The “Centennial Bulb,” on the other hand, has a filament made of carbon, which is far stronger than tungsten, as it runs continuously at a much lower wattage than your average incandescent bulb. This combination of stronger material, and the constant supply of electrical current, all help to keep the bulb “alive” for as long as it has.

What are the world’s other longest-lasting light bulbs?

Apart from the “Centennial Bulb,” there are few other exceptionally long-lasting bulbs too.

One example, widely credited as the world’s second-longest-running bulb, can be found at Fort Worth in Texas. Known as the “Eternal Light,” this bulb was originally recognized as the world’s longest-lasting bulb until the discovery of the “Centennial Bulb” a few years later.

The “Eternal Light”, Fort Worth, Texas. Source: Alex Liivet/Flickr

First turned on in 1908, this bulb has been in more-or-less continuous operation ever since.

Other examples include another bulb located above the back door of Gasnick’s Supply store in New York City. It was first installed in 1921, according to the store’s owner, and its current location, and condition, are not currently known. However, there was considerable doubt as to the claims of the store’s owner at the time.

The store, and the block in which the store was located, have since been demolished.

What is the world’s oldest light bulb?

The aforementioned “Centennial Bulb” is, as far as we know, the world’s longest-running bulb, but it might not be the oldest. Another, called the “Ediswan Light Bulb” might be even older.

Allegedly first turned on 1883, this bulb might just be the world’s oldest surviving light bulb. Located in Heysham, England, the bulb is owned by Beth Crook, who claims that the bulb was first owned by her ancestor Florence Crook and has been passed down through the family over the years.

Unlike the “Centennial Bulb,” this light bulb has only been used sparingly throughout its life, artificially extending the bulb’s lifespan.

It was first manufactured by the Ediswan factory and was the product of a collaboration between the British lightbulb creator Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison. This collaboration, or rather merger, was the result of a lawsuit between Edison’s company and Swan’s that resulted in the two merging in the UK in 1883.

However, this merger proved to be a storming success, as other companies in the UK were unable to compete. Their “Ediswan” bulbs, produced in the company’s factories in Sunderland, Brimstown, and Ponders End would dominate the market for many years.

Why are no everlasting bulbs commonly available today?

As we have seen, there are quite a few examples of bulbs that are still going strong after well over 100 years of operation. So, since the technology obviously exists, you might be wondering why none are commonly available for use today?

The answer put simply, is an example of something a true conspiracy and an example of business practice called planned obsolescence.

Planned obsolescence is a business strategy that ensures the current version of a product will become outdated, or even useless, within a set time period. The idea is that such a built-in limitation will ensure that consumers will seek replacements in the future — therefore boosting sales.

You can see it in many products today, like smartphones, but also in less obvious things like lightbulbs.

But, it wasn’t always this way. Back in the days when lightbulbs were cutting-edge technology, various inventors were working hard to make them last as long as possible. Warren De la Rue, as we previously mentioned, made something of a leap in this area by enclosing the filament in a vacuum bulb.

Later inventors, including Thomas Edison, would later experiment with different filaments, like cotton, platinum, or even bamboo, to attempt to extend the life of bulbs. A very good balance was found with tungsten which, while not the best, when combined with inert gas, offered an acceptable lifespan when balanced with manufacturing costs.

By around the 1920s, most bulbs had lifespans approaching 2,000 hours (like today) with some pushing 2,500 — apart from the exceptional examples discussed earlier.

Things were looking up.

But this all changed around 1924 when lightbulb manufacturers held a secret meeting in Geneva 1924. The likes of Philips, International General Electric, OSRAM, and others, all decided to form a group called the “Pheobus Cartel”. Pheobus, in case you are not aware, was the Greek god of light.

The main objective of this cartel was to agree to control the supply of light bulbs. Each understood that if any one of them managed to develop a long-lasting light bulb, the need for replacement bulbs would likely dry up.

Bulbs were lasting too long. Not ideal from their point of view.

So, to combat this, all members of the cartel agreed to reduce the lifespan of bulbs on purpose. Initially, this was set to no more than 1,000 hours!

To enforce this, and prevent any one of them from breaking the agreement, samples of bulbs needed to be sent to a central authority that would test them for longevity.

The manufacturer of any bulbs that lasted longer than the set minimum would be fined. These fines could be considerable, with a fine of 200 Swiss francs for every 1,000 bulbs sold (if the bulb lasted more than 3,000 hours).

To ensure this wouldn’t happen, engineers previously tasked with extending the lives of bulbs were suddenly tasked with doing the exact opposite. Different filaments, filament designs, and connections were tested over time and by the mid-1920s most lightbulbs lasted, on average, about 1,200 hours apiece.

As planned, sales increased. Not only that but savings made in cheaper components were not translated to the consumers — prices remained relatively stable.

So why, you might ask, didn’t consumers complain? The simple answer is that they didn’t know. The cartel was officially established to provide standardization and efficiency of bulbs.

For example, they successfully developed the now ubiquitous screw thread still seen today. The cartel was initially planned to continue until the 1950s, but non-compliance among members and the outbreak of WW2 saw it ended by the early-1940s.

What are some examples of planned obsolescence today?

Despite its demise, the Pheobus Cartel had set a precedent that many companies still use today. One of the most famous examples was Apple with its iPod.

These devices would notoriously suffer from battery issues within the first 2 years of purchase. Customers who wanted to extend the life of the product would be charged a large refurbishment fee, often just shy of the regular retail price of a new unit.

For obvious reasons, many customers would rather just buy and new one than get their old ones fixed. This eventually led to a class-action suit against the company, which was settled out of court.

However, it is a practice that companies like Apple continued to carry out — especially with their iPhones. In 2020, Apple agreed to pay $113 million to settle consumer fraud lawsuits brought by more than 30 U.S. states over allegations that it secretly slowed down old iPhones, in a controversy sometimes referred to as “batterygate.”

Apple claimed that the update had throttled the battery on older devices to extend their lifespans. This would not really be an issue if the battery could be replaced easily — which it couldn’t with iPhones.

What are the pros and cons of planned obsolescence, if any?

While planned obsolescence might sound like a devious and unethical practice, some have argued that there might be some legitimate upsides to it too. During the Great Depression, for example, millions of people in the U.S. and around the world were made redundant.

At that time, mandatory obsolescence of products was seriously considered to provide a pipeline for getting people back to work. It was proposed by American real estate broker Bernand London, who argued that such a practice would be good for everyone.

He suggested that the government impose a “lease of life” on things like shoes, homes, even machines to help generate jobs. After a set limit, the government would collect and destroy these products during times of widespread unemployment.

Rather than the methods employed by the likes of Apple, consumers would be well aware of the “lifespan” of products they bought.

While this might sound like a crazy idea, there is some logic to it. Consider for a moment if products could be made that never failed.

Once made, these products could last forever and never need repairs. Eventually, everyone would have one and the need for new units would eventually end.

This would not only impact the manufacturer’s bottom line, and even their need to stay in business, but could also conceivably impact other businesses who might rely on third-party services like cleaning or repairs of such products for an income.

Another potential benefit of planned obsolescence, it could be argued, is the freeing up of scarce resources “locked” up inside old things like tech. Take rare earth metals, for example.

Lithium, nickel, cobalt, and even precious metals like gold and silver, are regularly “consumed” when pieces of technology are built. So long as these materials are “locked” within older devices, raw minerals need to be extracted, refined, and shipped.

The processing of these materials can be very harmful to the environment, as we explored in a recent article on a similar subject.

As tech is a notoriously fast-developing field, the continuing use of older, slower, and less capable technology effectively prevents these precious resources from being available for new and improved devices. Under such circumstances, it could be argued that building a time limit on such devices could be beneficial to the environment — especially if the materials in the older devices could be recycled to create the new devices.

But, we’ll let you decide on whether this is a true benefit or not.

“Planned” or inherent obsolescence?

It is important to note that not all and manufacturers purposefully make their products last less time than they could. Some products, like tires for example, have a realistic maximum lifespan that cannot realistically be extended.

Tires are designed to provide friction, and, as such, will wear out over time. While there are ways to make them more durable — the use of harder rubber, for example — will likely reduce their grip — not ideal.

Other products are only as useful as their physical constraints as well. Take a DVD. These can only hold so much data, as they have a limited size. Is this planned obsolescence?

Yet other products inherently become obsolete over time as newer emerging technologies superseded them too. For example, Cloud storage and apps are replacing DVDs, washing machines have replaced the traditional wringer, barely anyone has a black and white TV today, older computers may struggle to connect to the internet or to run modern programs and apps.

Computer software is another important example, especially with regard to software updates. Eventually, the updates will stop working on older models, or will stop being released for older models, or they will take up so much memory that the device will slow down. Improvements to hardware also drive the development of software (and vice versa), quickly making either obsolete — is this really “planned”?

The list goes on.

What can be done about planned obsolescence?

So, with planned obsolescence fairly widespread in many industries, is there anything that consumers can do to fight back?

Well, one area that this practice is finding resistance is in the form of government legislation. Various states in the U.S., as well as member states of the EU, are toying with a “right to repair” to force manufacturers to make it easier for their customers to fix older products without voiding their warranties or using third-party providers.

Some in the private sector are also becoming more mindful of the need to make their products more future-proof. Modular cellphones, like the Fairphone are designed from the ground up for easy repair and upgrade after their initial purchase.

For PC users, the ability to swap out obsolete parts is nothing new, but for laptop users, the ability to upgrade just certain components has always been a little frustrating. This is where the likes of the “Framework” laptop may prove to be a gamechanger in the market.

These kinds of initiatives are likely music to the ears of many who have become frustrated with their latest tech lasting a few short years.

But, there is another weapon in the arsenal of companies to “trick” you into trading in your old products for new ones — psychology.

Through various tactics like changing the color, to marginal design changes, or incremental technological improvements, some companies have become masters of something called “dynamic obsolescence.”

This concept is rife in the world of fashion, with clothing lines generally lasting just one “season” before the clothing is deemed to be “out of style”. But this is not isolated to clothing, tech companies do the same thing.

Slightly larger screens, rounded or squared corners, a few more cameras on the back, or some fancy new built-in features, are all ways to make you buy what is essentially the same product from last year, but “better.”

But, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Since we started on the subject of lightbulbs, it would be appropriate to end on them as well.

This is one area where we may have come full circle with regards to the planned obsolescence of products. Newer, more energy-efficiency bulbs like CFLs, and LEDs are now commonplace. These last much longer than their incandescent predecessors, with some LED bulbs lasting anywhere between 10 and 50 times longer than an equivalent traditional bulb.

With LED lightbulbs lasting, on average, between 10,00 and 50,000 hours (roughly ten years for normal domestic use), these are effectively everlasting. Now, we just need to make everything else as durable.

No pressure.

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