I must admit - when I started my research on this topic of whether it is safe to leave LED lights on 24/7, I was a bit concerned. I have often (unintentionally) left my lights on when in a hurry to leave the house or after falling asleep on the couch and just making a beeline for the bedroom. Sometimes, I purposely leave a light on if someone else in the household is coming home late or if I’m feeling a bit scared of the dark on a stormy night. I hadn’t seriously considered that this could be a safety hazard. Fortunately, I have discovered that it is pretty darn safe (and common) to leave LEDs on for prolonged periods of time. Phew! But then I thought, should you? I mean if you can remember to turn them off, it’s best, right?

Is it safe to leave LED lights on?

Yes. That’s the short answer. When you don’t need lights, just turn them off. No need to waste energy when not needed. But, if you are going to choose to leave a light on, an LED light is the wisest choice because of its lower heat output and lower voltage.

How do LED lights work?

LEDs operate very differently than traditional lighting like incandescents and halogens. They do not utilize filaments to create light. Instead, they use light emitting diodes (or LEDs). But how exactly do they work?

The diode works by passing an electric current through a semiconductor material. The material is made of electrons that are surrounded by empty spaces (referred to as “holes”). As the current passed though, the electrons and holes recombine to form photons. The new photons release energy, which we perceive as light.

LED bulbs can easily be installed in household lamps and light fixtures with little chance for error, but if you/re going to leave on LED strip or rope lights, make sure you have the proper drivers and/or transformers for the voltage consumption to reduce risk of malfunction. Even though LEDs present a much smaller risk of fire, you still always need to make sure you have proper and safe installation. Contact a licensed electrician if in doubt.

Should LED lights stay on all night?

If you like a light on all night but don’t want to forget to turn it off in the morning, consider using a plug-in indoor timer. They are easy to set-up and take the worry out of remembering to turn lights off. Using timers is also a wonderful way to set up different lights in your home to go on and off throughout the night when you are out of town . . . a great home security addition! And speaking of home security, leaving a light on outside all night or installing one activated by motion are also great deterrents against home invasions. Some outdoor fixtures feature an integrated photocell that detects sunlight and turns the lights on and off automatically—you don’t even have to set a time!

Setting a timer for LED lights

Timers are essentially an electrical circuit with built-in clocks. These integrated clocks can be set to turn the lights on and off at specific times or come on for a set period of time. There are a wide variety of timer types that can be paired with LED lights:

Mechanical Timers – These analog timers are easy to recognize due to their large dial that is used to set on and off times. Simple mechanical timers cover 24 hours, while more advanced 7-day versions let you schedule for an entire week.

Electronic Timers – Unlike mechanical timers, these timers use electronic components to operate and very accurate.
Plug-In Timers – These are the easiest to use. Plug them into a power outlet, plug your fixture into one of the outlets built into the timer, then set your on and off times. These timers are available in both mechanical and electronic verions.
Astronomic Timers – These electronic timers use your geographic location to automatically adjust for sunrise and sunset times.

For table lamps and other simple light fixtures, plug-in timers are the easiest option. For controlling more complex set ups, mechanical and electronic timers are the better choice.

If you want your lights to go on all day and all night long, 1000Bulbs has the LED products you’ll need to do it safely. But try to keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits to using LEDs in the first place is their cheaper and more efficient operation. So, when you can (and if you remember), flip the switch. Sleep peacefully knowing if you forget now and then, all will be well.

For guidance on the best LEDs to light up your night, speak with one of our lighting experts who are available by phone or chat, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST. Just call 1-888-435-0435 or try our convenient pop-up chat feature at the bottom right corner of our web pages. And be sure to explore our wide range of LED lights and bulbs.