How to Use the LED Bulb Savings Calculator
LEDs use 75–90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 30–50% less than CFLs. Enter your old bulb's wattage, the LED replacement wattage, daily hours of use, bulb count, and local electricity rate. The calculator shows your annual energy savings in kWh, annual dollar savings, and how long it takes to recoup the LED purchase cost.
The US average electricity rate is around $0.13/kWh, but it varies widely by state — check your utility bill for the exact rate. To maximize savings, replace the bulbs you use most each day first. Living room and kitchen lights are usually the highest-priority targets. LEDs last 15,000–25,000 hours — roughly 15 to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs — so you also save on replacement costs over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
CFLs are more efficient than incandescents, so the energy gap is smaller. Switching from a 15W CFL to a 9W LED saves about 40% more energy, and LEDs turn on instantly without the warm-up time CFLs require.
Look for an LED rated around 800 lumens (lm). This typically corresponds to a 9–10W LED bulb, providing the same brightness at about one-seventh of the power.