The short answer
Ten 60 W incandescent bulbs swapped for 9 W LEDs, on 3 hours a day, save about 559 kWh and $101.48 a year at the U.S. average electricity rate of 18.16¢ per kWh (August 2026). At $3 a bulb they pay for themselves in 3.5 months, and, at a rated 25,000 hours, could last about 23 years.
The same switch in every state
10 bulbs, 60 W to 9 W, 3 hours a day, at each state's average rate (August 2026).
| Alabama | $91.26 | 3.9 months | 16.33¢ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $164.35 | 2.2 months | 29.41¢ |
| Arizona | $84.10 | 4.3 months | 15.05¢ |
| Arkansas | $80.30 | 4.5 months | 14.37¢ |
| California | $166.25 | 2.2 months | 29.75¢ |
| Colorado | $95.95 | 3.8 months | 17.17¢ |
| Connecticut | $136.97 | 2.6 months | 24.51¢ |
| Delaware | $104.50 | 3.4 months | 18.70¢ |
| District of Columbia | $145.18 | 2.5 months | 25.98¢ |
| Florida | $83.77 | 4.3 months | 14.99¢ |
| Georgia | $88.85 | 4.1 months | 15.90¢ |
| Hawaii | $263.66 | 1.4 months | 47.18¢ |
| Idaho | $74.72 | 4.8 months | 13.37¢ |
| Illinois | $107.97 | 3.3 months | 19.32¢ |
| Indiana | $95.11 | 3.8 months | 17.02¢ |
| Iowa | $95.34 | 3.8 months | 17.06¢ |
| Kansas | $86.45 | 4.2 months | 15.47¢ |
| Kentucky | $77.12 | 4.7 months | 13.80¢ |
| Louisiana | $71.92 | 5 months | 12.87¢ |
| Maine | $179.44 | 2 months | 32.11¢ |
| Maryland | $119.59 | 3 months | 21.40¢ |
| Massachusetts | $170.33 | 2.1 months | 30.48¢ |
| Michigan | $128.48 | 2.8 months | 22.99¢ |
| Minnesota | $96.12 | 3.7 months | 17.20¢ |
| Mississippi | $80.64 | 4.5 months | 14.43¢ |
| Missouri | $89.52 | 4 months | 16.02¢ |
| Montana | $87.01 | 4.1 months | 15.57¢ |
| Nebraska | $75.67 | 4.8 months | 13.54¢ |
| Nevada | $71.08 | 5.1 months | 12.72¢ |
| New Hampshire | $154.46 | 2.3 months | 27.64¢ |
| New Jersey | $137.53 | 2.6 months | 24.61¢ |
| New Mexico | $92.26 | 3.9 months | 16.51¢ |
| New York | $160.11 | 2.2 months | 28.65¢ |
| North Carolina | $83.55 | 4.3 months | 14.95¢ |
| North Dakota | $74.38 | 4.8 months | 13.31¢ |
| Ohio | $108.30 | 3.3 months | 19.38¢ |
| Oklahoma | $82.82 | 4.3 months | 14.82¢ |
| Oregon | $88.97 | 4 months | 15.92¢ |
| Pennsylvania | $121.66 | 3 months | 21.77¢ |
| Rhode Island | $157.48 | 2.3 months | 28.18¢ |
| South Carolina | $88.07 | 4.1 months | 15.76¢ |
| South Dakota | $84.66 | 4.3 months | 15.15¢ |
| Tennessee | $75.00 | 4.8 months | 13.42¢ |
| Texas | $88.91 | 4 months | 15.91¢ |
| Utah | $74.38 | 4.8 months | 13.31¢ |
| Vermont | $133.23 | 2.7 months | 23.84¢ |
| Virginia | $98.58 | 3.7 months | 17.64¢ |
| Washington | $81.76 | 4.4 months | 14.63¢ |
| West Virginia | $91.15 | 3.9 months | 16.31¢ |
| Wisconsin | $108.47 | 3.3 months | 19.41¢ |
| Wyoming | $80.64 | 4.5 months | 14.43¢ |
How it works
The formula
saved = kWh × rate · payback = bulb cost ÷ saved a year
Assumptions
- Matching brightness: the ENERGY STAR lumens chart: 40 W = 450 lumens = 6 to 9 W LED; 60 W = 800 lumens = 8 to 12.5 W LED; 75 W = 1,100 lumens = 13 to 15 W LED; 100 W = 1,600 lumens = 16 to 20 W LED.
- Life: the Department of Energy says LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescents (about 1,000 hours), so about 25,000 hours.
- Payback counts the LED price only; replacing burned-out incandescents would have cost something too, so the real payback is a little shorter.
Worked example: one 60 W bulb
- (60 − 9) W × 3 h × 365 ÷ 1,000 = 55.9 kWh a year
- × 18.16¢ = $10.15 a year; a $3 LED pays back in 3.5 months
Ways to cut the cost
- Start with the bulbs on longest: kitchen, living room and porch lights pay back fastest.
- Buy by lumens and color temperature (2700K is warm like an incandescent).
- Check dimmer compatibility: use bulbs marked dimmable on dimmer switches.
Questions people ask
How much do LED bulbs save?
Swapping ten 60 W incandescent bulbs for 9 W LEDs, on 3 hours a day, saves 559 kWh, about $101.48 a year at the U.S. average of 18.16¢ per kWh (EIA, August 2026). At $3 a bulb they pay for themselves in 3.5 months.
What LED replaces a 60 watt bulb?
One giving about 800 lumens, which ENERGY STAR lists at 8 to 12.5 W. Match lumens, not watts: 450 lumens for a 40 W bulb, 1,100 for 75 W, 1,600 for 100 W.
How long do LED bulbs last?
The Department of Energy says LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, which last about 1,000 hours: so a bulb rated around 25,000 hours could run about 23 years at 3 hours a day. Heat and frequent switching shorten it.
Is it worth replacing CFLs with LEDs?
The saving is smaller: a 13 to 15 W CFL becomes a 9 W LED. Type the CFL's watts as the old bulb to see it. LEDs also turn on at full brightness and contain no mercury.