Fluorescent tube light vs. LED shop light: running cost
An LED shop light is cheaper to run: about $8 a year versus $17 for a fluorescent tube light at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $9 difference.
| Fluorescent tube light | LED shop light | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 64 W | 40 W |
| Watt range | 30–120 W | 20–150 W |
| Typical use | 4 hours a day | 3 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 94 kWh | 44 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.2¢ | 0.7¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.6¢ | 2.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.40 | $0.66 |
| Cost per year | $17 | $8 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $41 | $19 |
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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.
- LED shop light: A 4-foot LED shop light draws about 36-45 W and replaces a 2-lamp fluorescent fixture.
Ways to cut either cost
Eliminates hours of garage and basement lights left on.
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 an LED shop light?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a fluorescent tube light costs about $17 a year versus $8 for an LED shop light. That's $9 more, or 2.1× as much.
How many watts do fluorescent tube light and LED shop light use?
A fluorescent tube light typically draws 64 W (range 30–120 W). An LED shop light draws 40 W (range 20–150 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.