How much does it cost to run an LED light bulb for 24 hours?

How much electricity do LED lights use?

LED lights are renowned for their low power consumption, a quality that sets them apart from traditional lighting options.

To get a clearer understanding of LED power consumption, the table will answer:

• How much power do LED lights use

• How many watts do LED lights use

Note that for this table, we'll be referencing the watts and power consumption for a 400 to 500-lumens light source.

Bulb Type

Watts

Average kWh usage per month

LED

6 – 7

1.56kWh

CFL Bulb

8 – 12

2.4kWh

Incandescent

40

9.6kWh

As you can see, LED lights use significantly less wattage and, therefore, cost substantially less per month compared to other lighting options.

But that's not all; let's take a look at just how much LED lights can save you on your monthly electricity bill.

(Note: if you're a business and want to experience the savings LEDs can bring, use the button below to find out more!)

How much do LED lights cost per month?

So, how much do LED lights cost to run?

Note that the values presented below are approximations based on 8 hours of daily usage and an electricity rate of $0.16/kWh (this rate varies from state to state, so be sure to take that into account), and average kWh usage per month.

Brightness (Lumens)

Watts

kWh usage

Per hr

Per month

400-500

6 – 7

1.68

$0.00104

$0.25

650-850

7 – 10

2.4

$0.00136

$0.33

1000-1400

12 – 13

3.12

$0.002

$0.49

1450-1700+

14 – 20

4.8

$0.00272

$0.66

2700+

25 – 28

6.72

$0.00424

$1.03

Additional reading: watts to lumens

How much do LED lights save per month?

We know that LED lights save energy; that much is clear... but, how do LED bulbs save when compared to other types of light bulbs.

You may find that the financial benefits are even better than you anticipated...

Fluorescent

Here are the figures for the cost of running LED vs fluorescent bulbs per month (and LED savings per month):

Brightness (Lumens)

Fluorescent

LED

Savings

400-500

$0.48

$0.25

$0.23

650-850

$0.68

$0.33

$0.35

1000-1400

$0.90

$0.49

$0.41

1450-1700+

$1.38

$0.66

$0.72

2700+

$1.94

$1.03

$0.91

Incandescent

Now, let's shift our focus to a comparison that is often the center of lighting debates — incandescent vs LED.

(again, costs and savings are averages per month)

Brightness (Lumens)

Incandescent

LED

Savings

400-500

$1.54

$0.25

$1.29

650-850

$2.30

$0.33

$1.97

1000-1400

$2.88

$0.49

$2.39

1450-1700+

$3.84

$0.66

$3.18

2700+

$5.76

$1.03

$4.73

CFL

With the advent of LEDs and their superior energy efficiency, the CFL vs LED lighting comparison is as follows.

(again, costs and savings are averages per month)

Brightness (Lumens)

CFL

LED

Savings

400-500

$0.46

$0.25

$0.21

650-850

$0.69

$0.33

$0.36

1000-1400

$0.84

$0.49

$0.35

1450-1700+

$1.15

$0.66

$0.49

2700+

$2.11

$1.03

$1.08

Metal Halide

Metal halide bulbs have been an industry standard in high-intensity lighting for years, but it's no surprise that a metal halide vs LED cost comparison shows savings in favor of LED.

(again, costs and savings are averages per month)

Brightness (Lumens)

Metal Halide

LED

Savings

400-500

$0.40

$0.25

$0.15

650-850

$0.57

$0.33

$0.24

1000-1400

$0.75

$0.49

$0.26

1450-1700+

$1.15

$0.66

$0.49

2700+

$1.62

$1.03

$0.59

HID

As LED technology continues to evolve and offer substantial energy savings, many are considering a switch and looking at the HID vs LED comparison.

(again, costs and savings are averages per month)

Brightness (Lumens)

HID

LED

Savings

400-500

$0.33

$0.25

$0.08

650-850

$0.47

$0.33

$0.14

1000-1400

$0.62

$0.49

$0.13

1450-1700+

$0.96

$0.66

$0.30

2700+

$1.35

$1.03

$0.32

Halogen

Average halogen vs LED costs and savings are as follows:

(again, costs and savings are averages per month)

Brightness (Lumens)

Halogen

LED

Savings

400-500

$0.45

$0.25

$0.20

650-850

$0.64

$0.33

$0.31

1000-1400

$0.85

$0.49

$0.36

1450-1700+

$1.30

$0.66

$0.64

2700+

$1.83

$1.03

$0.80

Comparison of all lighting types

So, how much more efficient are LED lights compared to the rest of the choices?

Let's put it all together to save your eyes from jumping around the screen too much.

Note: The below are all average costs per month:

Brightness (Lumens)

Fluorescent

Incandescent

CFL

Metal Halide

HID

Halogen

LED

400-500

$0.48

$1.54

$0.46

$0.40

$0.33

$0.45

$0.25

650-850

$0.68

$2.30

$0.69

$0.57

$0.47

$0.64

$0.33

1000-1400

$0.90

$2.88

$0.84

$0.75

$0.62

$0.85

$0.49

1450-1700+

$1.38

$3.84

$1.15

$1.15

$0.96

$1.30

$0.66

2700+

$1.94

$5.76

$2.11

$1.62

$1.35

$1.83

$1.03

Switching to LED lighting? Remove the upfront cost of LED lights

Now that you've explored the incredible benefits of LED lighting, particularly in terms of energy savings, it's time to take action.

Experience the power of LED light energy savings for yourself! Contact FES Lighting today to learn more about how our commercial LED lighting solutions can help you make the switch to LED lighting and eliminate the upfront cost of LED lights through our innovative financing options. 

Do LED lights save money? Our key takeaways

As you can see, the energy consumption of LED lights is significantly lower than other lighting options, which translates directly into substantial cost savings.

Here are the crucial takeaways on the power of LEDs:

• Energy-efficient:

  LEDs consume significantly less energy than traditional lighting options. This reduced energy consumption adds up to substantial savings on your monthly electricity bill.

• Cost-effective:

  Although the initial cost of LED lights might be higher than the competition, the long-term savings they bring greatly make up for it.

• Longevity:

  They have a much longer lifespan, reducing the frequency of replacement and further contributes to cost savings and reduced waste.

• Environmentally friendly:

  A lower energy consumption of LED lights means fewer carbon emissions, supporting a more sustainable environment.

If you're still unsure about the potential savings your business could achieve by switching to LED, we have a tool that can help.

Try our commercial LED savings calculator to get an accurate estimate of the financial benefits you could enjoy by making the switch. This tool is designed to give you a clear understanding of your potential savings, providing a compelling argument for transitioning to LED lighting solutions.

FAQs

How much do LEDs cost initially?

The initial cost of LED lights can vary greatly depending on the type and quality of the bulb, ranging generally from $2 to $20 per bulb. This may seem high compared to traditional lighting options, but it's important to factor in long-term savings as well.

Note that, with FES, our LaaS model means that there is zero upfront costs for your business.

Are LED lights expensive to run?

Contrary to common belief, LED lights are not expensive to run. In fact, their high energy efficiency makes them much more cost-effective in the long run. Not only do they consume significantly less power than traditional lighting options, they also last longer, resulting in fewer replacements and lower overall costs.

How much does it cost to run an LED light bulb for 24 hours?

Running an LED light bulb for 24 hours typically costs about $0.027, assuming an electricity rate of 16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the United States. This calculation is based on a 7W LED bulb, which is equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb but consumes significantly less power.

Do LED bulbs use less electricity?

Yes, LED bulbs do use less electricity. Leveraging LED energy savings, these bulbs consume up to 80% less power compared to traditional lighting options. This substantial reduction in energy use not only lowers electricity costs but also contributes to a more sustainable environment which benefits the community.

How many watts does an LED bulb use?

An LED bulb, known for its energy efficiency, typically consumes between 6 to 28 watts. The exact wattage depends on factors such as size and lumen output. Compared to traditional lighting, this lower power consumption not only enhances energy efficiency but also contributes to the cost-effectiveness of LED lighting.