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Lighting Cost Calculator

Annual cost with replacement bulbs included, plus the upfront cost and payback period of an LED retrofit.

Inputs

Bulbs

Running watts of the bulb you have now.

Running watts of the LED replacement.

Rated hours. Incandescent is about 1,000 hours.

Rated hours. Common LEDs are rated 15,000-25,000 hours.

Purchase price per bulb.

Purchase price per bulb.

Your use

Number of sockets you are comparing.

Average hours per bulb per day.

Your all-in rate.

Result

Savings per year
$215.42
Net savings over five years
$1,007.12
Payback on the retrofit (0 = costs more to run)
0.32 yrs
LEDs per year
$40.81
LEDs: energy per year
$33.51
Current bulbs per year
$256.23
Current bulbs: energy per year
$223.38
Extra cost up front
$70.00

What to check

  • Actual wattage and rated life of both the bulb you have and the replacement.
  • Purchase price per bulb, including whether you are buying individually or in a contractor pack.
  • Hours per day per socket: closets and hallways are far lower than kitchens.
  • Whether any sockets are on dimmers or in enclosed fixtures that require a rated LED.

Keep going

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Cost comparison including lamp replacements. It does not include labor, dimmer compatibility, or light quality, and it assumes the rated life is reached. Actual LED life depends on heat and driver quality.

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