Landscape lighting vs. security floodlight: running cost
A landscape lighting is cheaper to run: about $20 a year versus $23 for a security floodlight at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $3 difference.
| Landscape lighting | Security floodlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 50 W | 30 W |
| Watt range | 20–400 W | 10–300 W |
| Typical use | 6 hours a day | 11 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 110 kWh | 125 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.9¢ | 0.5¢ |
| Cost per day | 5.4¢ | 6.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.64 | $1.88 |
| Cost per year | $20 | $23 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $48 | $55 |
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What drives the difference
- Landscape lighting: A 10-fixture low-voltage LED landscape system draws about 40-60 W including transformer losses; the same layout with 20 W halogen lamps draws about 200-250 W.
- Security floodlight: A dusk-to-dawn LED floodlight of about 30 W running 11 hours a night uses about 120 kWh a year; motion-only operation cuts that to a few kWh.
Ways to cut either cost
Uses about 75-80% less than halogen systems.
See options on AmazonNo wiring or electricity cost for low-light path marking.
See options on AmazonRuns only when triggered, cutting hours by 90%+.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a landscape lighting or a security floodlight?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a security floodlight costs about $23 a year versus $20 for a landscape lighting. That's $3 more.
How many watts do landscape lighting and security floodlight use?
A landscape lighting typically draws 50 W (range 20–400 W). A security floodlight draws 30 W (range 10–300 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.