Does Leaving Your Lights on Really Make a Difference to Your Bill?

Especially with summer around the corner, you may be looking for every possibility to save a few cents on your electric bill. Between the high cost of running the AC, and the increasing amount of technology we all keep plugged in, energy bills are climbing higher than ever. What are you going to do? Live life by candlelight? Please. 

 

While turning the lights off uses less electricity, how much less is the real question. As lightbulbs have evolved to be more efficient (especially LED lightbulbs), the cost of operation is much lower than it used to be. So, how much will you really save by religiously keeping any unused lights off? Axiom Power is here to take a deep dive into the cost of lighting, and what other options can help you save more efficiently! 

Lightbulbs Are Not All Created Equal 

 

There are many different types of lightbulbs available in today's market, and some are much better than others. For instance, an incandescent lightbulb (the traditional/older form of lightbulbs), is the most outdated and thus costs a lot more to operate. 

 

Here’s a breakdown of the cost and electricity use for different types of lightbulbs, according to tests done by the Department of Energy. Each of these figures is from bulbs that are equal in brightness to a 60-watt (W) incandescent bulb: 

 

  • 60W Incandescent: Uses 0.06 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every hour of use. After 1,000 hours, it consumes 60 kWh of electricity. If we assume the cost of electricity is $0.11 per kWh, this costs about $6.60 for 1,000 hours. 
     

  • 43W Halogen: Halogens use about 25% less energy than incandescent bulbs to produce the same amount of light. The cost is about $4.73 after 1,000 hours of use. 
     

  • 15W CFL: CFLs are 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, only costing $1.65 for 1,000 hours of use. 
     

  • 12W LED: LED bulbs are the newest, and most efficient (80% more efficient than incandescent bulbs). These only cost $1.32 to operate for 1,000 hours. 

 

That was a pretty in-depth explanation, so we’ll break down the cost per lightbulb, per 24 hours below: 

 

  • 60W Incandescent: $0.16 per 24 hours 

  • 43W Halogen: $0.11 per 24 hours 

  • 15W CFL: $0.04 per 24 hours 

  • 12W LED: $0.03 per 24 hours 

 

Learn More > The Best Places in Your Home for LED Lighting 

 

 

A Better Way to Save 

 

A typical room may have 3-4 lightbulbs throughout, so depending on the lightbulb used, it may be worth it for you to turn off the lights while not in use. However, a much easier and more effective way to save money is to swap to LED bulbs.  

 

Finally, the biggest comparison. The average home in the US has about 40 lightbulbs, if those lights were to be on for a full 24 hours, this would be the average cost: 

 

  • 60W Incandescent: $6.40 

  • 43W Halogen: $4.40 

  • 15W CFL: $1.60 

  • 12W LED: $1.20 

 

Now, while you shouldn’t leave all your lights on all day, it’s not going to cost much if you have a more efficient bulb. The largest savings come from switching to LED bulbs, using nearly 5 times less energy for the same brightness. 

 

Switching to LED lights, even while leaving the lights on non-stop, will save you over $5 a day! 

Make The Swap and Save Money With Axiom Power 

 

If you’re looking to save money on your electric bill this year, make the switch to LED lightbulbs. Our pros at Axiom Power will help you determine the best bulbs for your switch, and help you install them in all the hard-to-reach places.  

 

Axiom Power is a full-service commercial and residential electrical contractor servicing the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas. From small repairs, commercial build-outs, and even new construction, Axiom Power can make the difference!  

 

Call Axiom Power today for a hassle-free quote at (813) 308-9328!

Gregory Bennett