Dusk to Dawn LED Light Bulbs: What They Are, and Pros & Cons

Jan 2, 2019 | LEDs

Dusk to Dawn LED Light Bulbs: What They Are, and Pros & Cons

Dusk to dawn LED light bulbs are trending…and you may want to think of adding a few to the outside of your home! If you are in need of a long-lasting light bulb for your outdoor fixture, and you don’t want to worry about forgetting to turn your porch light ON and OFF, dusk to dawn LED light bulbs may be the best option for you!

What Are Dusk to Dawn LED Light Bulbs?

These LED bulbs are special in that they have a light sensor on them that turns the bulb ON and OFF with the sensing of daylight. When dusk hits, the light bulb automatically senses the light bulb to turn ON. Similarly, when dawn arises, the light bulb will turn itself OFF.

In conjunction with leaving your light switch on the ON position, dusk to dawn LED light bulbs will turn ON and OFF when the sun comes up and goes down. 

 

Benefits Of Dusk to Dawn LED Light Bulbs

  • LEDs that last since they turn themselves ON and OFF with daylight sensor technology. (The Phillips 60-Watt Equivalent A19 LED Light Bulb Soft White Dusk-Till-Dawn Energy Star boasts a lifespan of 22.8 years (based on 3 hours/day))

  • Usable with most existing outdoor light fixtures.

  • Don’t have to remember to turn the light switch ON and OFF.

  • Can be used inside of your home as well. Never come back to a dark house from a night out in the town again!

 

Drawbacks To Dusk to Dawn LED Light Bulbs

  • These light bulbs can’t be used on a dimmer switch.

  • Must be used with outdoor light fixtures that are covered.

  • These light bulbs can’t be used in existing emergency light fixtures like your typical flood lamps, unless they are specifically dusk to dawn flood-shaped light bulbs.

  • Stays ON all night unless switch is turned OFF. In other words, it does’t have motion sensing capabilities, or timer capabilities, which means it will stay on all night. (can be a drawback if you only want a light ON and OFF during a certain time, or with motion like a flood light fixture, as opposed to being ON all night).

 

Bottom Line

Dusk to Dawn LED light bulbs are a great addition with outdoor flood lights. Use these LEDs with your existing outdoor light fixtures if you want them ON during the night, and OFF during the day without worrying about flipping a switch. 

These light bulbs have different motion sensing capabilities than your typical security lights that use motion detection to turn ON and OFF, but they can be a great option for your other exterior light fixtures.