Get Holiday Ready Early: LightBiz Template's Fall Booking Special

How Long Do Permanent Christmas Lights Last?

Rated life, real-world lifespan, warranty coverage, and what shortens or extends the life of a permanent system.

Short answer: Trimlight permanent LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours, which works out to roughly 20 to 30 years when the lights run in the evenings. The system carries a Lifetime product warranty on all parts, and LightBiz Template provides a 1-year minimum labor warranty for service in Kansas City.

Rated hours in real-world years

50,000 rated hours in years
Hours on per nightApproximate years of use
4 hoursAbout 34 years
6 hoursAbout 23 years
8 hoursAbout 17 years
12 hoursAbout 11 years

Math: rated hours divided by (hours per night x 365). Real-world life also depends on climate and settings.

Running the lights 24 hours a day shortens their life considerably, so most owners set schedules that turn them on at dusk and off late at night.

What helps permanent lights last

  • Low voltage. The system runs on 12V, which keeps components cool.
  • Waterproofing. The LEDs carry an IP68 rating, the top tier for water resistance.
  • No lens to cloud. Residential Trimlight LEDs have no plastic cover to yellow or fade, and they face down out of direct sun.
  • Protective channel. Enamel-baked aluminum resists rust, chipping and UV damage, and protects the wiring from wind and weather.

What the warranty covers

The Lifetime product warranty on all parts covers the components of the Trimlight system for the life of those components. Labor for service is covered by LightBiz Template under a 1-year minimum labor warranty. See the full warranty details.

If a light ever goes out

One LED going out does not take down the rest of the run. Contact LightBiz Template at 847-200-0087 or submit a service request and we will schedule a replacement.

How that compares

Store-bought strands are often replaced every few seasons, and hiring a crew is a new bill every year. See permanent lights vs hiring a crew, how Trimlight compares to other permanent brands, and what permanent lighting costs.

Reviewed by Casey Lee, Owner at LightBiz Template

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