How many watts does a fluorescent tube use? (32 W)
A fluorescent tube uses about 32 W
Typical range 18–40 watts.
Typical range 18–40 watts.
Running cost calculator
Per hour—
Per day—
Per month—
Per year—
Energy/mo—
A fluorescent tube is common in garages and offices; it is efficient but LED tube replacements now cut the draw further.
Fluorescent tube power specs
| Typical running power | 32 W |
| Typical range | 18–40 W |
| Energy use | 0.26 kWh/day · 7.7 kWh/mo |
What affects the wattage
- Model size, age and energy rating.
- Settings and how hard it works (heat, speed, load).
- How many hours a day you run it.
Running cost at $0.17/kWh
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.03 | $0.77 | $9.34 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.04 | $1.15 | $14.02 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.05 | $1.54 | $18.69 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.06 | $1.92 | $23.36 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.08 | $2.30 | $28.03 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.10 | $3.07 | $37.38 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a fluorescent tube, or what size power station runs a fluorescent tube.
FAQ
How many watts does a fluorescent tube use?
A typical 4-foot tube uses about 18-40 watts plus a little for the ballast.
Can I replace tubes with LED?
Yes - LED tubes use less power and turn on instantly without flicker.