How much does it cost to run an LED string lights?
An LED string lights costs about 0.3¢ per hour, 1.3¢ a day, $0.41 a month and $5 a year at typical use (5 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. LED patio/bistro strings use about 0.5-1 W per bulb; the same string with 11 W incandescent bulbs draws over 150 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairy/micro lights | 3 | 0.05¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| 48 ft LED patio lights | 15 | 0.3¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Incandescent patio lights (48 ft) | 165 | 3.0¢ | 15¢ | $4.52 | $54 |
At 5 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 | 0.01 | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.03 | 0.5¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| 4 hours | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| 8 hours | 0.12 | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| 12 hours | 0.18 | 3.2¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| 24 hours | 0.36 | 6.5¢ | $1.97 | $24 |
Cost to run an LED string lights in every state
The same LED string lights costs $3 a year in North Dakota and $12 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¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.29 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.54 | $7 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.54 | $7 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a dusk-to-dawn timer or photocell with a cutoff at bedtime.
- Swap incandescent S14 bulbs for LED replacements at about 1 W each.
- Consider solar string lights for low-use patios.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Free to run once installed; works for decorative low-brightness use.
See options on AmazonPrevents strings from running all night.
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 string lights | 15 | 5 hours a day | $0.41 | $5 |
| Christmas lights | 5 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $0.16 | $0 |
| LED strip lights | 24 | 5 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Landscape lighting | 50 | 6 hours a day | $1.64 | $20 |
| Salt lamp | 15 | 12 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| CFL bulb | 13 | 3 hours a day | $0.21 | $3 |
| Neon sign | 20 | 6 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an LED string lights per hour?
An LED string lights drawing 15 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.3¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.7¢.
How much does it cost to run an LED string lights per month?
At typical use (5 hours a day), an LED string lights costs about $0.41 a month and $5 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 string lights use?
Most LED string lights use 2 to 180 watts, depending on the setting (fairy/micro lights 3 W, 48 ft led patio lights 15 W, incandescent patio lights (48 ft) 165 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an LED string lights use?
About 0.07 kWh a day and 27 kWh a year at typical use (5 hours a day).
Does an LED string lights use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 27 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an LED string lights or a christmas lights?
At typical use, an LED string lights costs about $5 a year versus $0 for a christmas lights. So the christmas lights is cheaper by about $4 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an LED string lights?
- Use a dusk-to-dawn timer or photocell with a cutoff at bedtime.
- Swap incandescent S14 bulbs for LED replacements at about 1 W each.
- Consider solar string lights for low-use patios.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.