How much does it cost to run an LED shop light?
An LED shop light costs about 0.7¢ per hour, 2.2¢ a day, $0.66 a month and $8 a year at typical use (3 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 4-foot LED shop light draws about 36-45 W and replaces a 2-lamp fluorescent fixture.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft shop light | 40 | 0.7¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Deformable garage light | 80 | 1.4¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| UFO high bay | 150 | 2.7¢ | 8.1¢ | $2.46 | $30 |
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 | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| 2 hours | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 4 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| 8 hours | 0.32 | 5.8¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| 12 hours | 0.48 | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $32 |
| 24 hours | 0.96 | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
Cost to run an LED shop light in every state
The same LED shop light costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $19 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¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
How to cut the cost
- Add a motion sensor so garage lights shut off after 5-10 minutes.
- Choose fixtures rated at 120+ lumens per watt.
- Group lights on separate switches so you only light the work area.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Eliminates hours of garage and basement lights left on.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED shop light | 40 | 3 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Fluorescent tube light | 64 | 4 hours a day | $1.40 | $17 |
| LED bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.15 | $2 |
| Security floodlight | 30 | 11 hours a day | $1.88 | $23 |
| Landscape lighting | 50 | 6 hours a day | $1.64 | $20 |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 | 3 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| Lava lamp | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.82 | $10 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an LED shop light per hour?
An LED shop light drawing 40 watts uses 0.04 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.7¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.7¢.
How much does it cost to run an LED shop light per month?
At typical use (3 hours a day), an LED shop light costs about $0.66 a month and $8 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an LED shop light use?
Most LED shop lights use 20 to 150 watts, depending on the setting (4 ft shop light 40 W, deformable garage light 80 W, ufo high bay 150 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an LED shop light use?
About 0.12 kWh a day and 44 kWh a year at typical use (3 hours a day).
Does an LED shop light use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 44 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an LED shop light or a fluorescent tube light?
At typical use, an LED shop light costs about $8 a year versus $17 for a fluorescent tube 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 an LED shop light?
- Add a motion sensor so garage lights shut off after 5-10 minutes.
- Choose fixtures rated at 120+ lumens per watt.
- Group lights on separate switches so you only light the work area.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.