LED light bulbs are the best light bulb that can be bought. Yes, when compared to some other bulbs they can be a bit more expensive but their benefits far outweigh that. A common selling point is the length of their lifetime and many people find it hard to believe that a LED bulb can really last over a decade. They can, and here is why.
First the other types
Many people grew up using incandescent bulbs. We were used to them burning out and sometimes burning out very quickly. They were easy to replace and cheap. Their lifetime was short because of the materials used. A tungsten filament was used and every time the light was turned on the filament expanded and contracted producing metal fatigue and eventually failure. Some low quality bulbs contain oxygen which accelerate oxidation of the filament as well. That was what you heard when you shook the bulb and heard the loose metal part inside.
Much of the same can be said for compact fluorescent bulbs or tubes. With these lights an electrode that emits electrons in the light which works with the gas inside the bulb. The amount of gas inside is finite and it does evaporate over time. As gas evaporates it can produce a blackening of the tube on the ends and is one sign that a burn out is pending. These bulbs have a lifespan of at least 6,000 hours of continuous operation or more.
LED changed the industry
When the cost of a light bulb can be measured in cents the fact that the bulb only lasts 750 hours did not matter much. If you really think about it though 750 hours is not that much. It is roughly one month. Would you want to replace the bulbs in your landscape lighting system every month? Probably not. That is where LED changed the lighting industry.
Why are LED bulbs are better
LED bulbs have no tungsten filament, in fact they have no metal to fatigue. There is no oxidation or evaporation of gasses. Instead they are made of semiconductor materials like gallium-arsenide and uses electron stimulation and grounding to produce light in a process known as electroluminescence. This produces very little heat and also consumes much less energy. Over time they can dim but the lifespan of these lights is so long it will take a long time for this to happen, at least 30,000 hours or more.
LED bulbs also have another benefit. Incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs are very fragile. If you have one drop it and see if it still works. LED bulbs are much more robust and do not need to handled like fine china. They also produce the best quality of light, which is an important quality with outdoor lighting, but then you know that already.
There is a reason that we install LED lights with our lighting systems at Resort Lighting. The benefits of LED lights far outweigh any drawbacks. Besides of course not having to replace the bulbs every month LED bulbs will pay for themselves over the course of their lifetime (which could be 10,000 years for all we know). These bulbs work great with outdoor lighting and you may even want to install themselves inside your home as well.
References:
https://www.bulbs.com/learning/ledfaq.aspx
https://www.howtogeek.com/280843/do-led-light-bulbs-really-last-10-years/
https://insights.regencylighting.com/understanding-led-lifespan-how-long-do-led-lamps-and-fixtures-actually-last
http://www.fuseled.com/category-s/118.html
https://www.homewatt.co.uk/blog/led-lights-last-longer/