How much does it cost to run an incandescent bulb? ($1.53/mo)
Running an incandescent bulb costs about $1.53 / month
($0.05/day at 5 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
($0.05/day at 5 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
Running cost calculator
Per hour—
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Energy/mo—
An incandescent bulb wastes most of its energy as heat, making it many times more expensive to run than an LED of the same brightness.
Cost at different electricity rates
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.03 | $0.90 | $10.95 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.05 | $1.35 | $16.43 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.06 | $1.80 | $21.90 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.08 | $2.25 | $27.38 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.09 | $2.70 | $32.85 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.12 | $3.60 | $43.80 |
Cost over time
| Per hour of use | $0.01 |
| Per day (5 h) | $0.05 |
| Per month | $1.53 |
| Per year | $18.62 |
How to spend less
- Run it fewer hours or on an eco / lower setting.
- Upgrade to a more efficient model (check the energy label).
- Use a smart plug or timer to kill standby and idle draw.
Want the raw figure? See how many watts an incandescent bulb uses.
FAQ
How many watts does an incandescent bulb use?
Common incandescent bulbs draw 40-100 watts.
Is it worth replacing incandescent bulbs?
Yes - swapping to LEDs cuts lighting energy by around 85%.