How much does it cost to run a christmas light projector?
A christmas light projector costs about 0.1¢ per hour, 0.9¢ a day, $0.26 a month and $1 a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Outdoor laser and LED holiday projectors draw about 3-15 W; video projector models used for window displays draw 30-200 W.
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 hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.01 | 0.1¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| 8 hours | 0.06 | 1.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| 12 hours | 0.10 | 1.7¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| 24 hours | 0.19 | 3.5¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
Cost to run a christmas light projector in every state
The same christmas light projector costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $3 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¢ | 0.10¢ | $0.18 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.18 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.19 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.19 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.19 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.20 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.21 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.21 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.21 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.22 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.23 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.23 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.23 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.23 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.24 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.24 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.24 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.24 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.25 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.26 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.27 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.27 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.27 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.30 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.31 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.31 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.41 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.41 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.43 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.43 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.44 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.48 | $2 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.64 | $3 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the built-in timer (often 6 hours) so it doesn't run all night.
- Aim it to cover the facade from one position instead of using multiple projectors.
- Use a projector instead of 10+ strands of incandescent C9s; it draws about 1% of the power.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Covers a house front for under 10 W.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas light projector | 8 | 6 hours a day for 4 months a year | $0.26 | $1 |
| Christmas lights | 5 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $0.16 | $0 |
| Outdoor inflatable decoration | 150 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $4.93 | $15 |
| Pre-lit Christmas tree | 40 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $1.31 | $4 |
| Electric window candles | 4 | 8 hours a day for 3 months a year | $0.18 | $1 |
| Fog machine | 400 | 4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 months a year | $0.75 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a christmas light projector per hour?
A christmas light projector drawing 8 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.1¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.10¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.3¢.
How much does it cost to run a christmas light projector per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day for 4 months a year), a christmas light projector costs about $0.26 a month while in use and $1 a year over the 4 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a christmas light projector use?
Most christmas light projectors use 3 to 30 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a christmas light projector use?
About 0.05 kWh a day and 6 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 4 months a year).
Does a christmas light projector use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 6 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 christmas light projector or a christmas lights?
At typical use, a christmas light projector costs about $1 a year versus $0 for a christmas lights. So the christmas lights 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 christmas light projector?
- Use the built-in timer (often 6 hours) so it doesn't run all night.
- Aim it to cover the facade from one position instead of using multiple projectors.
- Use a projector instead of 10+ strands of incandescent C9s; it draws about 1% of the power.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.