How much does it cost to run a CFL bulb?
A CFL bulb costs about 0.2¢ per hour, 0.7¢ a day, $0.21 a month and $3 a year at typical use (3 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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%.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 W equivalent (9 W) | 9 | 0.2¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| 60 W equivalent (13 W) | 13 | 0.2¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| 100 W equivalent (23 W) | 23 | 0.4¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
At 3 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.03 | 0.5¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| 4 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| 8 hours | 0.10 | 1.9¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| 12 hours | 0.16 | 2.8¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| 24 hours | 0.31 | 5.6¢ | $1.71 | $21 |
Cost to run a CFL bulb in every state
The same CFL bulb costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $6 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
How to cut the cost
- Replace CFLs with LEDs as they burn out; an LED uses about a third less and lasts 2-3x longer.
- Recycle CFLs at hardware stores; they contain a small amount of mercury.
- Avoid CFLs where lights switch on and off frequently; it shortens their life.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses about 9 W instead of 13-15 W and reaches full brightness instantly.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFL bulb | 13 | 3 hours a day | $0.21 | $3 |
| LED bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.15 | $2 |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 | 3 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| Fluorescent tube light | 64 | 4 hours a day | $1.40 | $17 |
| LED string lights | 15 | 5 hours a day | $0.41 | $5 |
| Salt lamp | 15 | 12 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| Smart bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.19 | $2 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a CFL bulb per hour?
A CFL bulb drawing 13 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.6¢.
How much does it cost to run a CFL bulb per month?
At typical use (3 hours a day), a CFL bulb costs about $0.21 a month and $3 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a CFL bulb use?
Most CFL bulbs use 9 to 26 watts, depending on the setting (40 w equivalent (9 w) 9 W, 60 w equivalent (13 w) 13 W, 100 w equivalent (23 w) 23 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a CFL bulb use?
About 0.04 kWh a day and 14 kWh a year at typical use (3 hours a day).
Does a CFL bulb use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 14 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a CFL bulb or an LED bulb?
At typical use, a CFL bulb costs about $3 a year versus $2 for an LED bulb. So the LED bulb is cheaper by about $1 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a CFL bulb?
- Replace CFLs with LEDs as they burn out; an LED uses about a third less and lasts 2-3x longer.
- Recycle CFLs at hardware stores; they contain a small amount of mercury.
- Avoid CFLs where lights switch on and off frequently; it shortens their life.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.