How much does it cost to run a halogen floodlight?
A halogen floodlight costs about 1.6¢ per hour, 4.9¢ a day, $1.48 a month and $18 a year at typical use (3 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Halogen bulbs are about 25% more efficient than standard incandescents but still use 5-7x the power of LEDs. Outdoor PAR38 floods typically draw 90 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halogen A19 (60 W-eq) | 43 | 0.8¢ | 2.3¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| MR16 spotlight | 50 | 0.9¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| PAR38 floodlight | 90 | 1.6¢ | 4.9¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
| Halogen work light | 500 | 9.0¢ | 27¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
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 | 0.09 | 1.6¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| 2 hours | 0.18 | 3.2¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| 4 hours | 0.36 | 6.5¢ | $1.97 | $24 |
| 8 hours | 0.72 | 13¢ | $3.94 | $47 |
| 12 hours | 1.08 | 19¢ | $5.91 | $71 |
| 24 hours | 2.16 | 39¢ | $11.83 | $142 |
Cost to run a halogen floodlight in every state
The same halogen floodlight costs $12 a year in North Dakota and $43 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¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.16 | $14 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.16 | $14 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.21 | $15 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.21 | $15 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.29 | $15 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.33 | $16 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.35 | $16 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.35 | $16 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.36 | $16 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.50 | $18 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.54 | $18 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.54 | $19 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.70 | $20 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.73 | $21 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.73 | $21 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.1¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.1¢ | $1.96 | $23 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.2¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.4¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.4¢ | $2.21 | $26 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.5¢ | $2.30 | $28 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.6¢ | $2.33 | $28 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.6¢ | $2.41 | $29 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.6¢ | $2.41 | $29 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 2.7¢ | $2.50 | $30 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 3.0¢ | $2.71 | $33 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 3.9¢ | $3.58 | $43 |
How to cut the cost
- Replace PAR38 halogen floods with 13-15 W LED PAR38 bulbs.
- Swap halogen work lights for LED work lights that draw 40-60 W for similar light.
- Add a motion sensor or timer to outdoor halogen fixtures.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Draws about 13-15 W versus 90 W for the same beam.
See options on AmazonPuts out similar light at about a tenth of a 500 W halogen's power and runs cool.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halogen floodlight | 90 | 3 hours a day | $1.48 | $18 |
| LED bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.15 | $2 |
| Security floodlight | 30 | 11 hours a day | $1.88 | $23 |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 | 3 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| Fluorescent tube light | 64 | 4 hours a day | $1.40 | $17 |
| Landscape lighting | 50 | 6 hours a day | $1.64 | $20 |
| Grow light | 200 | 16 hours a day | $17.52 | $210 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a halogen floodlight per hour?
A halogen floodlight drawing 90 watts uses 0.09 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.6¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 3.9¢.
How much does it cost to run a halogen floodlight per month?
At typical use (3 hours a day), a halogen floodlight costs about $1.48 a month and $18 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 halogen floodlight use?
Most halogen floodlights use 35 to 500 watts, depending on the setting (halogen a19 (60 w-eq) 43 W, mr16 spotlight 50 W, par38 floodlight 90 W, halogen work light 500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a halogen floodlight use?
About 0.27 kWh a day and 99 kWh a year at typical use (3 hours a day).
Does a halogen floodlight use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 99 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 halogen floodlight or an LED bulb?
At typical use, a halogen floodlight costs about $18 a year versus $2 for an LED bulb. So the LED bulb is cheaper by about $16 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a halogen floodlight?
- Replace PAR38 halogen floods with 13-15 W LED PAR38 bulbs.
- Swap halogen work lights for LED work lights that draw 40-60 W for similar light.
- Add a motion sensor or timer to outdoor halogen fixtures.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.