How much does it cost to run a reptile heat lamp?
A reptile heat lamp costs about 1.8¢ per hour, 22¢ a day, $6.57 a month and $79 a year at typical use (12 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Basking bulbs draw their rated watts the whole time they're on; a 100 W lamp 12 hours a day uses about 440 kWh a year.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 W basking | 50 | 0.9¢ | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 100 W basking | 100 | 1.8¢ | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 150 W ceramic heat emitter | 150 | 2.7¢ | 32¢ | $9.86 | $118 |
At 12 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 | 0.10 | 1.8¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| 2 hours | 0.20 | 3.6¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| 4 hours | 0.40 | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| 8 hours | 0.80 | 14¢ | $4.38 | $53 |
| 12 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 24 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
Cost to run a reptile heat lamp in every state
The same reptile heat lamp costs $54 a year in North Dakota and $191 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¢ | 1.2¢ | $4.50 | $54 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.3¢ | $4.62 | $55 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.3¢ | $4.70 | $56 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $4.74 | $57 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.3¢ | $4.87 | $58 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.3¢ | $4.88 | $59 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.3¢ | $4.91 | $59 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.4¢ | $4.95 | $59 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.00 | $60 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.06 | $61 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.08 | $61 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.10 | $61 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.12 | $61 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.16 | $62 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.16 | $62 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.4¢ | $5.19 | $62 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.39 | $65 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.39 | $65 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.51 | $66 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.52 | $66 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.60 | $67 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.62 | $67 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.62 | $67 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.5¢ | $5.65 | $68 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.6¢ | $5.66 | $68 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.6¢ | $5.71 | $69 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.6¢ | $5.83 | $70 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.6¢ | $5.92 | $71 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.6¢ | $6.00 | $72 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.6¢ | $6.02 | $72 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.7¢ | $6.06 | $73 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.7¢ | $6.19 | $74 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.8¢ | $6.50 | $78 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.8¢ | $6.67 | $80 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.9¢ | $6.84 | $82 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.9¢ | $6.86 | $82 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 2.1¢ | $7.56 | $91 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 2.1¢ | $7.68 | $92 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 2.1¢ | $7.69 | $92 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.4¢ | $8.69 | $104 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.4¢ | $8.69 | $104 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.4¢ | $8.84 | $106 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.7¢ | $9.74 | $117 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.7¢ | $9.81 | $118 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.8¢ | $10.22 | $123 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.8¢ | $10.37 | $124 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.9¢ | $10.69 | $128 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.9¢ | $10.71 | $128 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 3.0¢ | $11.11 | $133 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 3.3¢ | $12.05 | $145 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 4.4¢ | $15.89 | $191 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a thermostat or dimming controller so lamps only provide needed heat.
- Put day lamps on a 12-hour timer.
- Use a deep-heat projector or ceramic emitter with a thermostat at night instead of a red bulb.
- Insulate three sides of glass enclosures.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Dims the lamp when the basking spot is warm enough.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reptile heat lamp | 100 | 12 hours a day | $6.57 | $79 |
| Under-tank heater | 20 | 24 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
| Aquarium heater | 100 | 24 hours a day | $3.94 | $47 |
| Heated pet bed | 6 | 24 hours a day for 7 months a year | $0.79 | $6 |
| Aquarium | 135 | 24 hours a day | $6.39 | $77 |
| Pet water fountain | 2 | 24 hours a day | $0.26 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a reptile heat lamp per hour?
A reptile heat lamp drawing 100 watts uses 0.10 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.8¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 4.4¢.
How much does it cost to run a reptile heat lamp per month?
At typical use (12 hours a day), a reptile heat lamp costs about $6.57 a month and $79 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 reptile heat lamp use?
Most reptile heat lamps use 40 to 250 watts, depending on the setting (50 w basking 50 W, 100 w basking 100 W, 150 w ceramic heat emitter 150 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a reptile heat lamp use?
About 1.20 kWh a day and 438 kWh a year at typical use (12 hours a day).
Does a reptile heat lamp use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 438 kWh a year is about 4% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a reptile heat lamp or an under-tank heater?
At typical use, a reptile heat lamp costs about $79 a year versus $22 for an under-tank heater. So the under-tank heater is cheaper by about $57 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a reptile heat lamp?
- Use a thermostat or dimming controller so lamps only provide needed heat.
- Put day lamps on a 12-hour timer.
- Use a deep-heat projector or ceramic emitter with a thermostat at night instead of a red bulb.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.