Compare the running cost of LED and incandescent bulbs. See how much you save annually by switching to LED lighting in your home.
Switching from incandescent to LED lighting is one of the simplest and most cost-effective energy upgrades you can make. An incandescent bulb converts only about 10% of its energy into light, wasting the rest as heat. LED bulbs use 75–80% less electricity for the same brightness and last 15–25 times longer.
A single 60-watt incandescent bulb replaced by a 9-watt LED saves roughly 51 watts every hour it's on. Over a year, that's about 93 kWh saved per bulb at 5 hours/day of use. Multiply by 30–40 bulbs in a typical home, and the savings add up to $150–$300 per year, depending on your electricity rate.
This calculator lets you compare the energy cost of running your existing incandescent, halogen, or CFL bulbs against LED replacements. Enter the wattage of both options, your daily usage hours, and electricity rate to see exact annual savings.
Integrating this calculation into regular energy reviews ensures that conservation strategies are grounded in measured data rather than assumptions about building performance and usage patterns.
LED bulbs cost more upfront but save money within months through reduced electricity consumption. This calculator quantifies the savings so you can see the payback period and lifetime value of switching. It works for any bulb comparison, not just incandescent vs LED. This quantitative approach replaces rough estimates with precise figures, enabling facility managers to identify the most cost-effective opportunities for reducing energy consumption.
Savings per Bulb = (Old Watts − LED Watts) × Hours/Day × 365 / 1,000 × Rate Total Savings = Savings per Bulb × Number of Bulbs
Result: $48.40/year
Each bulb saves (60 − 9) = 51 watts. Over 5 hours/day for 365 days, that's 51 × 5 × 365 / 1,000 = 93.1 kWh saved per bulb. At $0.13/kWh, each bulb saves $12.10/year. With 20 bulbs, total annual savings are 20 × $12.10 = $242.06.
LED technology has matured rapidly, with prices dropping over 90% in the past decade while performance continues to improve. Today, a quality LED bulb costs $2–$5 and pays for itself within months. For a whole-house upgrade of 30–40 bulbs, the investment of $60–$200 typically pays back within the first year.
LEDs produce very little heat compared to incandescent bulbs, which convert 90% of energy to heat. In summer, this means less cooling load on your AC system — an indirect savings that compounds the direct energy reduction. LED bulbs also contain no mercury (unlike CFLs) and are fully recyclable.
Look for lumens (brightness) rather than watts when shopping. A 800-lumen LED replaces a 60W incandescent. Check the color temperature (2700K for warm, 5000K for daylight) and the CRI rating (80+ for residential use). For enclosed fixtures, choose LEDs rated for enclosed use to prevent overheating.
A typical household with 30 bulbs can save $150–$300 per year by switching all incandescent bulbs to LEDs. The exact savings depend on wattage differences, hours of use, number of bulbs, and your electricity rate.
Most LED bulbs last 15,000–25,000 hours, compared to 1,000 hours for incandescent and 8,000–10,000 hours for CFLs. At 5 hours/day, an LED bulb can last 8–14 years, virtually eliminating replacement costs.
Absolutely. While an LED costs $2–$5 vs $1 for an incandescent, the LED saves $8–$15/year in electricity and lasts 15–25 times longer. The payback period is typically 2–4 months, making LEDs one of the best energy investments.
CFLs use about 25–30% more energy than LEDs and contain small amounts of mercury. LEDs also turn on instantly, work better with dimmers, and last 2–3 times longer than CFLs. The savings from CFL to LED are smaller but still worthwhile.
Not all LEDs are dimmable. Look for bulbs labeled "dimmable" and ensure your dimmer is LED-compatible. Older dimmers designed for incandescent bulbs may cause flickering or buzzing with LEDs. LED-rated dimmers solve this issue.
Modern LEDs offer excellent light quality across a range of color temperatures. Warm white (2700K) closely matches incandescent light. You can also choose daylight (5000K) or cool white (4000K) depending on preference. The CRI (Color Rendering Index) of good LEDs is 80–90+.