Fluorescent tube light vs. CFL bulb: running cost
A CFL bulb is cheaper to run: about $3 a year versus $17 for a fluorescent tube light at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $14 difference.
| Fluorescent tube light | CFL bulb | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 64 W | 13 W |
| Watt range | 30–120 W | 9–26 W |
| Typical use | 4 hours a day | 3 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 94 kWh | 14 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.2¢ | 0.2¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.6¢ | 0.7¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.40 | $0.21 |
| Cost per year | $17 | $3 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $41 | $6 |
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What drives the difference
- Fluorescent tube light: A two-lamp 4-foot T8 fixture draws about 58-64 W including the ballast; older T12 fixtures with magnetic ballasts draw 80-95 W.
- CFL bulb: CFLs use about 70-75% less power than incandescents; a 60 W-equivalent CFL draws 13-15 W. LEDs now beat them by another 30-40%.
Ways to cut either cost
Uses about 9 W instead of 13-15 W and reaches full brightness instantly.
See options on AmazonCuts fixture power by roughly half and eliminates ballast losses.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a fluorescent tube light or a CFL bulb?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a fluorescent tube light costs about $17 a year versus $3 for a CFL bulb. That's $14 more, or 6.6× as much.
How many watts do fluorescent tube light and CFL bulb use?
A fluorescent tube light typically draws 64 W (range 30–120 W). A CFL bulb draws 13 W (range 9–26 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.