LED lighting is highly reliable, but like anything else, it can be affected by cold and hot temperatures. That’s why it’s important to know how your lights will perform in ambient temperatures and consider where you’ll be using them. So how exactly are LEDs affected by cold and heat?

How Are LEDs Affected by Cold?

Generally speaking, the cooler the environment, the greater an LED’s light output. This quality means that LED lighting actually performs well in cold temperatures. In fact, these lights will turn on instantly in cold temperatures, as the cold does not affect them. They also work well in cold temperatures because there’s generally less temperature fluctuation, which means less thermal stress placed on the driver and diodes.

LED lights can be affected by cold temperatures and cold weather. When LED lights are installed in cold temperatures, studies show that lumen output increases and the rate of degradation decreases.

How Are LEDs Affected by Heat?

When it comes to heat, however, LED light output may be reduced. When LED lights first came on the market, they would overheat so quickly that manufacturers began installing fans inside the LED light fixtures. Unfortunately, the change only led to additional mechanical failures.

LED technology has improved to better handle the heat, but the lights still tend to underperform at higher temperatures. And when they’re subjected to higher temperatures for long periods of time, their lifespan decreases.

The lumen output of an LED light in a high-temperature environment will decrease at a much faster rate than it would at cooler temperatures. That said, it’s not common for heat to cause an LED light to rapidly decrease unless the light undergoes prolonged heat exposure, so you can easily avoid the issue by ensuring that your LED lights’ exposure to heat is as limited as possible.

How Does LED Temperature Tolerance Compare to That of Other Lighting?

Overall, LED lighting is able to tolerate the widest range of temperatures when it comes to different lighting options. LED lights operate with an electrical driver that does not produce excess heat, unlike other lighting sources like incandescent lights and CFLs. Therefore, they’re an ideal choice for outdoor lighting.