When investing in quality lighting, it's essential to set realistic expectations, particularly if you plan to use your lights beyond its UL rated holiday season. While many lights are designed to shine brightly for seasonal use, continuous exposure to elements such as UV rays, temperature fluctuations, and moisture can impact their lifespan and overall performance. Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions and get the most out of your investment.

UL Safety Ratings and the 90-Day Guideline
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the leading organization for product safety certification, rates all Decorative Lighting (Christmas Light Sets) for no more than 90 consecutive days of use. This rating is in place for safety reasons, addressing potential risks such as fire hazards, electrical wear, and material breakdown due to long-term exposure.

What Happens with Year-Round Use?
Although the UL rating sets a 90-day limit, many people choose to use decorative lighting for year-round applications—on patios, outdoor structures, commercial spaces, and architectural features. This is a popular and creative use of lighting, but it comes with important considerations.

Even the best commercial-grade LED lights will degrade more quickly when exposed continuously to UV rays, temperature swings, and moisture. A set of lights that might last 5–6 holiday seasons when used intermittently may only perform well for 12 to 18 months in a continuous-use installation.

Be Wary of Overstated Lifespan Claims
Some sellers may claim that their lights will last “for years” in permanent or year-round setups. However, no decorative lighting is immune to the effects of long-term environmental exposure. Even rugged commercial options eventually succumb to the sun, wind, rain, and other elements. Claims of multi-year durability in outdoor, continuous-use scenarios should be approached with caution unless supported by third-party testing or certifications.

The Bottom Line
Using decorative lighting year-round can be both beautiful and practical—but it's important to plan with realistic expectations. While continuous exposure will shorten the life of any light set, knowing what to expect helps you make informed decisions and avoid surprises.

At Christmas Designers, we’re here to provide you with guidance, premium-grade lighting products, and expert advice for every type of installation—from seasonal displays to year-round designs.