How much does it cost to run a fluorescent tube light?
A fluorescent tube light costs about 1.2¢ per hour, 4.6¢ a day, $1.40 a month and $17 a year at typical use (4 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-lamp T8 fixture | 64 | 1.2¢ | 4.6¢ | $1.40 | $17 |
| 2-lamp T12 fixture | 86 | 1.5¢ | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 4-lamp T8 troffer | 112 | 2.0¢ | 8.1¢ | $2.45 | $29 |
At 4 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 | 0.06 | 1.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| 2 hours | 0.13 | 2.3¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| 4 hours | 0.26 | 4.6¢ | $1.40 | $17 |
| 8 hours | 0.51 | 9.2¢ | $2.80 | $34 |
| 12 hours | 0.77 | 14¢ | $4.21 | $50 |
| 24 hours | 1.54 | 28¢ | $8.41 | $101 |
Cost to run a fluorescent tube light in every state
The same fluorescent tube light costs $12 a year in North Dakota and $41 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¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.19 | $14 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.21 | $14 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.21 | $14 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.22 | $15 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.28 | $15 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.28 | $15 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.29 | $16 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.32 | $16 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.42 | $17 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.61 | $19 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.85 | $22 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.85 | $22 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.89 | $23 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.7¢ | $2.08 | $25 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.7¢ | $2.09 | $25 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.8¢ | $2.18 | $26 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.8¢ | $2.21 | $27 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.9¢ | $2.28 | $27 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.9¢ | $2.28 | $27 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.9¢ | $2.37 | $28 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.1¢ | $2.57 | $31 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.8¢ | $3.39 | $41 |
How to cut the cost
- Replace T8 tubes with ballast-bypass LED tubes at about 15 W each.
- Replace old T12 fixtures entirely; parts are discontinued and they use 40% more.
- Remove one tube from over-lit 4-lamp fixtures.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Cuts fixture power by roughly half and eliminates ballast losses.
See options on AmazonA 40 W LED shop light replaces a 2-lamp T8 or T12 fixture.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluorescent tube light | 64 | 4 hours a day | $1.40 | $17 |
| LED shop light | 40 | 3 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| 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 |
| Landscape lighting | 50 | 6 hours a day | $1.64 | $20 |
| Halogen floodlight | 90 | 3 hours a day | $1.48 | $18 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a fluorescent tube light per hour?
A fluorescent tube light drawing 64 watts uses 0.06 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.8¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.8¢.
How much does it cost to run a fluorescent tube light per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day), a fluorescent tube light costs about $1.40 a month and $17 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 fluorescent tube light use?
Most fluorescent tube lights use 30 to 120 watts, depending on the setting (2-lamp t8 fixture 64 W, 2-lamp t12 fixture 86 W, 4-lamp t8 troffer 112 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a fluorescent tube light use?
About 0.26 kWh a day and 94 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day).
Does a fluorescent tube light use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 94 kWh a year it's a small share (0.9%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a fluorescent tube light or an LED shop light?
At typical use, a fluorescent tube light costs about $17 a year versus $8 for an LED shop light. So the LED shop light is cheaper by about $9 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a fluorescent tube light?
- Replace T8 tubes with ballast-bypass LED tubes at about 15 W each.
- Replace old T12 fixtures entirely; parts are discontinued and they use 40% more.
- Remove one tube from over-lit 4-lamp fixtures.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.