Incandescent bulb vs. CFL bulb: running cost
A CFL bulb is cheaper to run: about $3 a year versus $12 for an incandescent bulb at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $9 difference.
| Incandescent bulb | CFL bulb | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 60 W | 13 W |
| Watt range | 25–150 W | 9–26 W |
| Typical use | 3 hours a day | 3 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 66 kWh | 14 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.1¢ | 0.2¢ |
| Cost per day | 3.2¢ | 0.7¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.99 | $0.21 |
| Cost per year | $12 | $3 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $29 | $6 |
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What drives the difference
- Incandescent bulb: Incandescent bulbs draw their labeled wattage; about 90% becomes heat. A 60 W bulb used 3 hours a day uses about 66 kWh a year.
- 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
ENERGY STAR LED bulbs
Uses about 9 W instead of 13-15 W and reaches full brightness instantly.
See options on Amazon LED filament bulb
Keeps the vintage look at about 85% less power.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an incandescent bulb or a CFL bulb?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an incandescent bulb costs about $12 a year versus $3 for a CFL bulb. That's $9 more, or 4.6× as much.
How many watts do incandescent bulb and CFL bulb use?
An incandescent bulb typically draws 60 W (range 25–150 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.