LED Swimming Pool Lights: Pros and Cons
Earlier this month, we installed a Pentair IntelliBrite 5G Color Underwater LED Spa Light for one of our customers. This thing was a beauty after we installed it, and it prompted us to write about the pros and cons of LED swimming pool lights. After all, June is approaching and what better way to spend those warm summer nights relaxing in your well-lit pool! It’s time to enjoy your pool at night in illumination, not in the dark.
We wanted to point out that one of your biggest accessory expenses for your in-ground swimming pool will be your lighting. Because of this, we recommend thinking all of your options through and researching the best brands out there before making a purchasing decision. Above ground pool lighting options are less expensive, and usually are made with LED bulbs. This blog focuses on LED lighting specifically because there is a lot to go over. Check out our other blog, which focuses more on your other option for in-ground swimming pool lights: fiber optic lighting.
Whether you have an in-ground pool or an above ground swimming pool, LEDs are a fantastic choice when illuminating your pool water for those night swims, even if they do come with a few drawbacks. Compared to your other options of halogen or fiber optic pool lights, LED pool lights are longer lasting, and more energy efficient. Let’s explore the pros and cons for LEDs when it comes to brightening up your swimming pool and area around it.
The Pros of LED Swimming Pool Lights
- Long-Lasting
LEDs can last anywhere from 7-15 years before needing to swap them out or change their bulb. This means less time on the phone with your local electrician needing replacements, and more time enjoying your pool’s lighting ( even though we definitely don’t mind you calling us for our assistance 😉 )
- Cheaper Up-Front Cost and Longterm Cost
LED swimming pool lights are cheaper than your fiber optic pool lights. LED units for pool lighting can range from $400 to $900, depending on the brand and wattage. Longterm costs aren’t expensive either with LED pool lights, which may only really need the bulb replaced (if the unit has a changeable bulb).
- Only Need 1 or 2 LED Units For Brightness
Depending on the pool size, you may only need to purchase 1 large sized LED unit to brighten up the entire pool’s water at night. This is a real advantage that the LEDs have over their competitors.
- Energy Efficient
Compared to the competition, LED swimming pool lights are definitely more energy efficient, especially compared to halogen lighting options. Saving money on your energy bill with LEDs is a no-brainer!
The Cons of LED Swimming Pool Lights
- Some LED Units Don’t Have Changeable Bulbs
Yes, it’s true. While some brands and models do have bulbs that can be swapped out, some LED swimming pool lights do not. This means that the whole LED unit needs replacing once the 7-15 year mark is up when the lights do not last anymore. Do your research before purchasing a unit so that you can keep the Pro of costs down by only needing to change the bulb when it’s time.
- Changing the Bulb Can Be Tricky
Compared to a fiber optic light, LED swimming pool lights can be more time consuming to change a bulb (if the unit has a changeable bulb). For in-ground pools, to change the bulb requires taking the entire unit out above the water to replace. This could take a good 15-30 minutes to replace the LED bulb in the unit. If you aren’t comfortable replacing the bulbs yourself, call KB Electric LLC and one of our licensed electricians will be happy to help you. We will even inspect the lights to make sure no other parts are needed for replacing to ensure proper functionality and safety of the unit.
LED swimming pool lights are a great option for illuminating your pool at night, especially in the water. Even though some require replacing of the entire unit, they still last 7-15 years, and with LED technology on the rise, we may even see some in the near future that last even longer. The bulbs can be time consuming to replace if the units do have changeable bulbs, but we believe the pros outweigh the cons. They are long-lasting, bright, energy-efficient, less costly than fiber optic lighting, and can save you money on your energy bill.