How much does it cost to run a lava lamp?
A lava lamp costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 2.7¢ a day, $0.82 a month and $10 a year at typical use (6 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Lava lamps use an incandescent bulb as both light and heater (25-40 W for standard sizes); they need 1-3 hours to warm up and should not run more than about 8-10 hours at a time.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini (14.5 in) | 25 | 0.4¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| Classic 16-17 in | 35 | 0.6¢ | 3.8¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Grande / giant | 100 | 1.8¢ | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
At 6 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 | 0.03 | 0.4¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| 4 hours | 0.10 | 1.8¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| 8 hours | 0.20 | 3.6¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| 12 hours | 0.30 | 5.4¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| 24 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
Cost to run a lava lamp in every state
The same lava lamp costs $7 a year in North Dakota and $24 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¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.22 | $15 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.28 | $15 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.30 | $16 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.51 | $18 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
How to cut the cost
- Turn it off at bedtime; the manufacturer recommends under 10 hours of continuous use.
- Use a timer so it starts warming an hour before you're home.
- Keep it away from drafts and AC vents to avoid long warm-ups.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Automates warm-up and shutoff so it doesn't run all day.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lava lamp | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Salt lamp | 15 | 12 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 | 3 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| LED strip lights | 24 | 5 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Security floodlight | 30 | 11 hours a day | $1.88 | $23 |
| Neon sign | 20 | 6 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| LED shop light | 40 | 3 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a lava lamp per hour?
A lava lamp drawing 25 watts uses 0.03 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.3¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.1¢.
How much does it cost to run a lava lamp per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day), a lava lamp costs about $0.82 a month and $10 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 lava lamp use?
Most lava lamps use 15 to 100 watts, depending on the setting (mini (14.5 in) 25 W, classic 16-17 in 35 W, grande / giant 100 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a lava lamp use?
About 0.15 kWh a day and 55 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day).
Does a lava lamp use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 55 kWh a year it's a small share (0.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a lava lamp or a salt lamp?
At typical use, a lava lamp costs about $10 a year versus $12 for a salt lamp. So the lava lamp is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a lava lamp?
- Turn it off at bedtime; the manufacturer recommends under 10 hours of continuous use.
- Use a timer so it starts warming an hour before you're home.
- Keep it away from drafts and AC vents to avoid long warm-ups.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.