One light bulb typically costs about $0.001-$0.01 per hour to run, depending mainly on wattage and the electricity rate. At a U.S. residential rate of 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 9-watt LED costs about $0.0014 per hour, while a 60-watt incandescent costs about $0.0096.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9W LED electricity | $0.0011/hour | $0.0014/hour | $0.0023/hour | At 12-25 cents per kWh |
| 14W CFL electricity | $0.0017/hour | $0.0022/hour | $0.0035/hour | Typical compact fluorescent |
| 60W incandescent electricity | $0.0072/hour | $0.0096/hour | $0.015/hour | Older standard bulb |
| Bulb purchase price | $1-$3 | $3-$6 | $8-$15 | Approximate retail price per LED bulb |
Assumptions: Electricity examples use 12, 16, and 25 cents per kWh; actual utility rates vary by location and plan.
What one bulb costs to run each hour
For most homes, an LED uses only a fraction of a cent per hour, while an incandescent can approach one cent or more. The calculation is watts divided by 1,000, multiplied by the electricity price per kilowatt-hour. At 16 cents per kWh, a 9W LED costs 0.009 × $0.16, or about $0.0014 per hour. A 60W incandescent costs 0.060 × $0.16, or $0.0096 per hour.
A utility bill may include fixed charges that do not change when one bulb is switched off, so the hourly calculation estimates energy use rather than the full bill.
How wattage and bulb type change the hourly bill
Bulbs producing similar light can use very different amounts of electricity. A 9W LED often replaces a 60W incandescent, but the exact equivalent depends on brightness, measured in lumens. A dimmer setting may reduce use, although some bulbs and dimmers are incompatible.
| Bulb type and example | Power | Cost at 16¢/kWh | Cost for 1,000 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED, about 800 lumens | 9W | $0.0014/hour | $1.44 |
| CFL, about 800 lumens | 14W | $0.0022/hour | $2.24 |
| Incandescent, about 800 lumens | 60W | $0.0096/hour | $9.60 |
| Halogen, similar brightness | 43W | $0.0069/hour | $6.88 |
Comparing bulbs at similar brightness is more useful than comparing wattage alone. A high-output LED may use 12-15W, while a small decorative bulb may use less than 5W; its label provides the wattage for a more precise estimate.
Why local electricity rates and hours matter
At 12 cents per kWh, a 9W LED costs roughly $0.0011 per hour; at 25 cents, it costs about $0.0023. A 60W incandescent costs $0.0072-$0.015 per hour across the same rate range. Time-of-use plans can also charge different rates by hour, so the applicable rate may depend on when the light is on.
Longer daily use multiplies even a small hourly charge. A 9W LED used 5 hours daily consumes about 16.4 kWh in a year, costing roughly $2.62 at 16 cents per kWh. A 60W incandescent used for the same schedule costs about $17.52 in electricity annually.
What a bulb costs across common U.S. rate ranges
Utility prices vary by state, provider, and plan. For the same 9W LED, the illustrative range is about $0.0011-$0.0023 per hour at 12-25 cents per kWh. That difference is small for one bulb, but it grows across many fixtures or lights left on for long periods. A home with 20 such LEDs running 5 hours daily would spend approximately $52 per year at 16 cents per kWh.
Use the electricity rate on the bill, not a nationwide average, for a household-specific estimate. The rate per kWh may be listed separately from delivery charges; when those charges vary with consumption, including them can improve the estimate.
How many hours of lighting change the total
For any bulb, multiply its hourly cost by the number of operating hours. At 16 cents per kWh, a 9W LED used 3 hours daily costs about $1.58 per year; at 10 hours daily, it costs about $5.26. A 60W incandescent used for those schedules costs about $10.51 and $35.04 per year, respectively.
Usage time and wattage determine energy expense; purchase price is separate. Occupancy sensors, timers, or turning off lights in empty rooms can reduce hours, but savings depend on how often the light would otherwise stay on.
How LED purchase price compares with energy savings
A standard LED may cost around $1-$6, with specialty dimmable, smart, or high-output models often priced at $8-$15 or more. Compared with a 60W incandescent, a 9W LED saves about $0.0082 per operating hour at 16 cents per kWh. At 3 hours daily, that is about $9 per year in electricity savings, before considering differences in bulb life or replacement costs.
For a frequently used fixture, a higher upfront LED price can be offset by lower energy use. In a rarely used closet or storage area, the yearly energy difference may be too small to justify replacing a working bulb immediately.
Which quote or bulb choice can lower the hourly cost?
Check the printed wattage and lumens before buying, then compare the bulb’s price with its expected use. Replacing a 60W incandescent with a roughly 9W LED cuts electricity use by about 85% at similar brightness. Avoid paying extra for smart controls or special color features unless those functions are needed.
The simplest cost control is choosing the lowest-wattage bulb that delivers the required light. For multiple fixtures, calculate each type separately and add the hourly amounts; a 10-bulb group of 9W LEDs at 16 cents per kWh costs about $0.014 per hour, or 1.4 cents.