The Little-Known Reason Your LED Bulbs Are Burning Out So Fast (& How To Fix It)

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LED light bulbs are known for their energy efficiency and long lifespans, and upgrading to them is an easy decision when you know the difference between LED and incandescent bulbs. Many high-end LEDs have an estimated lifespan of up to 50,000 hours (about 5.7 years of non-stop use) or even more based on factory testing. In homes, unlike testing factories, conditions are not always ideal, meaning your light bulbs are not very likely to last the full 50,000 hours. From using lighting fixtures with imperfect dimmers to frequently flicking the switch on and off, there are many factors that might shorten the lifespan of your bulbs. If you diligently care for your LED bulbs by avoiding all of these and they are still burning out quickly, your issue may be a more unexpected culprit: humidity.

Too much moisture in the air causes a number of issues that could make your LED bulbs burn out quickly. First, moisture often leads to corrosion on metal parts in the lighting fixture. This corrosion can disrupt the electrical connection for the bulb and shorten its lifespan. In highly humid conditions, corrosion and other issues resulting from moisture exposure may cause the bulb to short circuit and burn out. Besides the frustration of having to buy replacements frequently, short circuiting is also a fire hazard, so it is important to know what you should do if humidity is the problem.

If you are ready to fix the problem of your bulbs burning out too quickly, you will first want to confirm that high humidity is your issue. When the lights are burning out in high-humidity rooms, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, it is likely that excess moisture is the problem. Even so, you should try to rule out other reasons your LED bulbs aren't lasting long, such as incompatible circuits and fittings, bad connections, and mismatches between the bulbs and your home's voltage. 

If you determine humidity to be the issue, you can improve ventilation, use a dehumidifier or try some simple tricks to naturally dehumidify your home. You could also choose bulbs designed for humid spaces or seal the lighting fixture to prevent moisture infiltration. Improving ventilation in a humid room means less moisture will get to the bulb. Choose fixtures with holes or openings to allow airflow and drainage around the bulb. Dehumidifying reduces moisture in the air as well, helping to protect your lights. 

Make sure you have the best light bulbs for your space by switching to damp-rated or wet-rated bulbs that are designed for use in moisture-heavy areas. Damp-rated bulbs, such as LUXRITE A19 LED Light Bulbs ($16.49 for an 8-pack), are for humid spots without direct water exposure. For more durability in extremely humid areas, you can upgrade to wet-rated bulbs, though these are typically more expensive. With these fixes, your bulbs should last longer, saving you from the expenses and hassle of frequent changes.