How to Extend the Life of Your LED Landscape Lighting Fixtures
LED technology has come a long way — and when done right, it can last 10+ years with minimal maintenance. But that kind of lifespan isn’t guaranteed. In Florida’s harsh climate, even top-tier fixtures can fail early if they’re installed poorly or neglected.
Here’s how we make our systems last — and how you can protect your LED lighting investment.
Choose Quality Fixtures to Begin With
At Ecotek, we only use solid brass or marine-grade aluminum fixtures with integrated LED boards from reputable manufacturers. Avoid big-box brands or budget kits — they often use:
Low-quality seals (leads to water intrusion)
Thin wire leads that corrode quickly
Non-replaceable boards with no warranty
Prevent Overheating
LEDs hate heat. It’s the #1 reason integrated fixtures fail early.
We reduce heat buildup by:
Matching beam angles and brightness to the task (avoiding overpowered fixtures)
Avoiding enclosed or insulated spaces that trap air around the light
Not burying fixtures or placing them too close to mulch, which holds heat and moisture
Fixtures should have breathing room — especially in Florida summers.
Control Your Voltage
Even small over-voltage can slowly cook an LED driver over time. That’s why we:
Use multi-tap transformers and calculate voltage drop on every run
Avoid oversized transformers for tiny systems (they run hot and high)
Fuse long or high-load runs to isolate issues
If your fixtures flicker, dim, or fail randomly — inconsistent voltage could be the cause.
Protect Against Surges and Spikes
Florida’s storm season puts every outdoor electrical system at risk.
We use transformers with built-in surge protection and offer inline fuses for key runs. But even that won’t stop lightning — so if a fixture fails after a storm, it’s often safer to replace it than attempt repair.
Bonus tip: Unplug your transformer if a major storm is incoming.
Keep Fixtures Clean and Clear
Debris, mulch, and leaf buildup can trap heat or block light output. Once or twice a year:
Brush off fixture lenses
Trim back plant growth
Check that fixtures haven’t been knocked out of position
If you're using drop-in LED lamps, inspect for corrosion on the socket pins and replace any that look scorched.
Our Recommendation
LEDs can last 30,000–50,000 hours — but only when the system is built and maintained properly. At Ecotek, we design every system to run cool, clean, and consistent. That’s why we rarely get warranty calls, even years later.
If you’ve got a failing system — or just want to build something that lasts — we’re here to help.
Want a System That Lasts?
Cheap fixtures fail fast — and even great ones need the right installation to perform long-term. At Ecotek Outdoor Lighting, we design every system to last for years, not months. If your system needs a tune-up or total upgrade, reach out using the form below and we’ll schedule an expert walkthrough.