LED vs Incandescent Savings Calculator

LED bulbs typically use 75–90% less energy than incandescent bulbs to produce the same amount of light. For example, a 60W incandescent bulb can be replaced by an 8–10W LED that produces equivalent brightness. This dramatic reduction in wattage directly translates into lower electricity bills.

A typical incandescent bulb lasts around 1,000 hours, while a quality LED bulb can last 15,000–25,000 hours or more. That means one LED bulb can outlast 15–25 incandescent bulbs, saving you money on replacements in addition to the energy savings.

The payback period is the time it takes for your energy and replacement cost savings to cover the upfront cost of buying the LED bulbs. For most households, this is typically 6 months to 2 years depending on usage hours, electricity rates, and the price of the LED bulbs.

LED bulbs offer savings in two key ways: they use far less electricity (reducing your energy bill) and they last much longer (reducing how often you buy replacement bulbs). They also run cooler than incandescents, reducing fire risk and air conditioning load. Additionally, LEDs produce less CO₂, making them an environmentally friendly choice.

Your electricity cost per kWh is printed on your monthly utility bill. In the US, the average residential rate is around $0.13–$0.16 per kWh, but it varies significantly by state and provider. Using your actual rate will give you the most accurate savings estimate.

The CO₂ savings depend on how much less electricity LEDs consume. On average, generating 1 kWh of electricity produces about 0.4–0.5 kg of CO₂ in the US (the grid average). By using fewer kWh, LED bulbs directly reduce your carbon footprint. Our calculator estimates your annual CO₂ savings based on a factor of 0.45 kg CO₂ per kWh.

Yes — our calculator factors in both the cost of purchasing LED bulbs and the ongoing cost of replacing incandescent bulbs over the LED's lifespan. Because incandescent bulbs burn out so much faster, you would need to buy many more of them over the same period, adding to the true cost of staying with incandescents.

As a general guide: replace a 40W incandescent with a 6W LED, a 60W with an 8–10W LED, a 75W with a 12W LED, and a 100W with a 15–16W LED. Check the lumens output on the LED packaging — aim for similar lumens to your existing bulb for equivalent brightness.