How much does a incandescent bulb cost to run?

Incandescent bulbs draw 40–100 watts per bulb, producing heat along with light. Running the same bulb for the same time costs 4–10 times more than an LED, making replacement a quick win.

Typical running cost (18.83¢/kWh, U.S. average, 2026-04)

BasisCost
Per hour (while running, 60 W typical)$0.011
Per day (6 h/day, 7/7 days)$0.068
Per month$2.06
Per year$24.76
Hourly range (small 40 W – large 100 W)$0.008 – $0.019
Save: Replace remaining incandescent bulbs with LEDs, which last longer and save money immediately.

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