π‘ LED Savings Calculator
What the switch really saves you.
The Math of the Switch
A 60-watt incandescent and a 10-watt LED give the same light. At 3 hours a day and 17 cents per kWh, the old bulb costs $11.17 a year to run; the LED costs $1.86. That is $9.31 saved per bulb per year, so a $3 LED pays for itself in under 4 months and then profits for its 15,000+ hour life. Twenty bulbs save about $186 a year, every year. This calculator scales that math to your whole house with your rate and usage.
Incandescents also die young: about 1,000 hours versus 15,000 to 25,000 for LEDs. Over a decade you would buy 15+ incandescents per socket versus one LED, adding replacement cost to the energy waste. The 10-year view is where LEDs look almost absurdly good.
Beyond the Bulb
Match color temperature to the room: 2700K warm white for living areas and bedrooms, 3000K for kitchens and baths, 4000 to 5000K daylight only for workspaces and garages. Check dimmer compatibility: old dimmers often flicker with LEDs, and dimmable bulbs cost slightly more. Enclosed fixtures need LEDs rated for enclosed use or heat shortens their life.
Biggest Wins First
Replace the most-used bulbs first: kitchen, living room, and porch lights running 5+ hours daily pay back in weeks. Closet and guest-room bulbs running minutes a day can wait. Utility rebates often cut LED prices further; check your power company's website before buying in bulk.
Rebates and Bulk Buying
Check your utility company's website before buying: many offer instant rebates that drop LED prices to a dollar or two per bulb, sometimes with direct online stores. Buy ENERGY STAR certified bulbs, which meet independent standards for brightness, color quality, and lifespan claims. Shop by lumens, not watts: 800 lumens replaces a 60-watt incandescent regardless of the LED's wattage. Bulk multipacks cut per-bulb cost substantially for whole-house swaps. One caution: skip no-name ultra-cheap bulbs for enclosed fixtures and dimmers, where heat and compatibility actually matter; the rebate-eligible name brands exist for a reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do LED bulbs save?
About $9 per bulb per year versus a 60W incandescent at 3 hours daily and average rates. A 20-bulb house saves roughly $186 yearly, with payback in under 4 months.
How long do LED bulbs last?
Fifteen thousand to 25,000 hours: 10+ years at typical use, versus about 1,000 hours (under a year) for incandescents. You also skip buying 15+ replacement bulbs per socket.
What color temperature should I choose?
2700K warm white for living rooms and bedrooms, 3000K for kitchens and bathrooms, 4000-5000K daylight for garages and workspaces. Match the room's mood.
Do LEDs work with old dimmers?
Often poorly: flickering and buzzing are common. Use dimmable-rated LEDs, and for best results pair with an LED-compatible dimmer switch.
Are LEDs worth it for rarely used bulbs?
Less urgent. A closet bulb running minutes daily saves pennies a year, so prioritize kitchen, living room, and outdoor lights running hours daily.