How much does it cost to run a led light bulb?
A typical led light bulb draws about 10 watts. Used 6 hours a day, that works out to roughly $0.01 per day, $0.31 per month, and $3.72 per year on an average electricity rate of 17¢ per kWh. LEDs use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs for the same light.
LED Light Bulb running cost calculator
- Per day
- $0.01
- Per month
- $0.31
- Per year
- $3.72
- CO₂ / year
- 8.8 kg
Based on 21.9 kWh per year. Adjust the price per kWh to match your latest electricity bill for an exact figure.
The number that matters most is your own electricity rate. Rates range from under 11¢ per kWh in some regions to over 30¢ in others, so the same led light bulb can cost two or three times as much depending on where you live. Enter your exact rate in the calculator above to get a figure tailored to your bill.
Over a full year this led light bulb uses about 21.9 kWh of electricity and is responsible for roughly 8.8 kg of CO₂ emissions on an average grid. Reducing run time, or switching to a more efficient model, lowers both the cost and the footprint.
If this led light bulb is one you use daily, even small efficiency gains compound. Cutting its usage or wattage by 20% would save around $0.74 every year — money that an efficient replacement can recover over its lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to run a led light bulb per hour?
- At 10 watts and a 17¢/kWh rate, a led light bulb costs about $0.00 per hour to run.
- How much electricity does a led light bulb use per month?
- Running 6 hours a day, a led light bulb uses roughly 1.8 kWh per month, costing about $0.31.
- Is a led light bulb expensive to run?
- Not particularly — at around $3.72 per year, a led light bulb is a relatively minor part of most electricity bills.
- How can I reduce my led light bulb running costs?
- Use it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing, reduce daily run time, and consider an ENERGY STAR rated led light bulb, which uses less power for the same job.