So you have design plans and are contemplating using LED strip lights to achieve the desired effect. But what are the running costs of these lights, and how do they compare to other light bulbs?
It&#;s important to understand that the wattage of a bulb does not directly correlate to its brightness, although there is often a relationship within a specific technology. For instance, under normal circumstances, a 100W incandescent bulb tends to be brighter than a 60W incandescent bulb, assuming all other factors remain constant.

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However, when it comes to changing technologies, you might come across bulbs described as &#;equivalent to&#; another wattage. This is particularly noticeable with LED bulbs, where a bulb listed as 20W is marketed as equivalent to a 100W incandescent bulb.
LED bulbs are undeniably more energy-efficient than their predecessors, such as incandescent, halogen, and CFL bulbs. But what about LED strips?

Are LED strips energy-efficient?

The common question is, &#;Do LED strip lights consume a lot of electricity?&#; LED strips can accommodate up to 240 individual LEDs per meter. So, are they energy-efficient, or will using LED strips for room lighting lead to excessive electricity usage?
Any light strip you purchase will provide information on the wattage per meter like the Paulmann Clever Connect Stripe LED mentioned here, which uses a total of 6.5W. If you were to install these strips around the perimeter of a 3m x 3m room on all walls, you would calculate as follows:
Perimeter of the room = 3m x 4 = 16m
6.5W x 16m = 78W (19.5W per wall)
For comparison, an incandescent bulb emits around lumens of light. In this example, the light strip provides 550 lumens per meter, so a 3m strip is roughly equivalent in brightness to a single 100W incandescent bulb while consuming only 19.5W. LED power consumption is significantly lower.
LED strips offer several advantages over traditional lighting options. In addition to being energy-efficient, they have a longer lifespan, lasting up to 50,000 hours or more, compared to the shorter lifespan of incandescent bulbs. This longevity can result in substantial cost savings over time, as you won&#;t need to replace LED strips as frequently.

Moreover, LED strips are highly versatile in terms of design possibilities. They can be easily cut or extended to fit any desired length, allowing for customization and flexibility in various lighting projects. Whether you&#;re looking to highlight architectural features, create ambient lighting, or add a touch of colour, LED strips provide a range of options to suit your creative vision.

Conclusion

As with any lighting, the more you add, the higher the running costs will be. However, LED strips are highly energy-efficient, emitting significant light with minimal heat generated.
If you are concerned about electricity bills, considering LED strips is an excellent way to achieve ample lighting with low running costs. When assessing the power consumption of LED lights, check the wattage per meter to calculate the running expenses accurately. Additionally, with their long lifespan and versatility, LED strips offer an attractive lighting solution combining energy efficiency, cost savings, and creative possibilities. So go ahead and explore the world of LED strip lights to enhance the ambience and functionality of your space.

FAQs

The answer to this will depend on how many meters of LED strip you are comparing and to which bulb technology you are referring. A 3m LED strip is comparable in cost to run to a 20W LED bulb and significantly cheaper when compared to an incandescent or halogen bulb. The length of strip you use will determine whether led lights are cheaper to run.

LEDs strips are very efficient and emit very little heat. Although you should never cover a light source, you can leave an LED strip on all night without any safety concerns to avoid heat build-up.

A 1m LED light strip will use around 5- to 6.5W.

No. You&#;ll pay for what you use, and there are no long-term benefits to leaving LED strips running when they are not needed.

How Much Electricity Do LED Light Bulbs Use & What's the Cost to Run Them?

LEDs (Light-emitting diodes) are the most energy-efficient and advanced lighting technology on the market today. Not only do they require much less electricity to run than incandescent bulbs, but they also can last up to 50x longer. As a result, the cost of running an individual lightbulb is quite low.

That being said, you'll need more than one lightbulb to light your home, and altogether those lightbulbs can start to rack up some costs. On average, lighting accounts for roughly 10% of a household's annual energy consumption. So how much exactly does it cost to light your home? Check out our LED cost calculator below to get an estimate.

LED bulb energy cost calculator

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Terminology explained

Energy language can be confusing. Below, we break down what you need to know to use our calculator.

What are watts?

Watts measure the rate at which electricity moves through an appliance. When it comes to LEDs, more watts means more electricity which typically means larger bulbs and brighter lights.

To calculate watts for a LED light, you'll want to multiply the current (measured in amps) by the voltage (measured in volts). The best way to get an accurate read on amps and volts is to look at the packaging of your lightbulb. From there, you can calculate kilowatts by multiplying amps and volts and dividing by .

Kilowatts = (Amps x Volts) /

What are lumens?

Another important light term to know is Lumens. Lumens measure the brightness of a light. More lumens means brighter lights. Typically, more lumens also mean more watts, though lumens and watts technically have no direct relationship. So while it might be useful to know the lumens of your LED in order to get a sense of how bright it will be in comparison to other bulbs, you don't need to measure lumens in order to calculate the power it takes to run your bulb.

What is the average cost of electricity?

According to US Energy Information Administration, the average cost of electricity in the U.S. is 16 ¢/kWh. However, this number can vary depending on your electricity supplier. Today, people in some states have the power to shop for their electricity and find cheaper rates.

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What is the average energy consumption and cost of different types of LEDs?

LED bulb

Brightness (in Lumens)

Watts

Cost / hr*

Avg. Cost / month*

400 &#; 500

6 &#; 7W

$0.001

$0.27

650 &#; 850

7 &#; 10W

$0.002

$0.38

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12 &#; 13W

$0.002

$0.50

- +

14 &#; 20W

$0.003

$0.77

+

25 &#; 28W

$0.004

$1.08

*assuming that the electricity rate is 16 ¢/kWh and the bulb is on for 8 hours per day

CFL bulb

Brightness (in Lumens)

Watts

Cost / hr*

Avg. Cost / month*

400 &#; 500

8 &#; 12W

$0.002

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$0.46

650 &#; 850

13 &#; 18W

$0.003

$0.69

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18 &#; 22W

$0.004

$0.84

- +

23 &#; 30W

$0.005

$1.15

+

30 &#; 55W

$0.009

$2.11

*assuming that the electricity rate is 16 ¢/kWh and the bulb is on for 8 hours per day

Incandescent bulb

Brightness (in Lumens)

Watts

Cost / hr*

Avg. Cost / month*

400 &#; 500

40W

$0.006

$1.54

650 &#; 850

60W

$0.010

$2.30

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75W

$0.012

$2.88

- +

100W

$0.016

$3.84

+

150W

$0.024

$5.76

*assuming that the electricity rate is 16 ¢/kWh and the bulb is on for 8 hours per day

How to save on your lighting costs?

• 1 .

  Switch out your old lightbulbs for energy-efficient bulbs

  LED lights are much more efficient than other lighting options, like CFLs and incandescent bulbs. According to energy.gov, the average household saves about $225 in energy costs per year by using LED lighting.

• 2 .

  Take advantage of natural light

  What's more efficient than LEDs? The sun, of course. It's brighter and more energy-efficient than any lighting technology you'll find on the market. Not to mention, exposure to sunlight is thought to improve your mental health. So make sure to open up those shades so you can soak in those rays. Your energy bill will thank you.

• 3 .

  Design your home to be light-efficient

  Not all rooms need bright lighting. Think strategically about which rooms you need big, bright lights for (kitchen, dining room, living room) and which rooms you only need desk lights and small lamps for (bedrooms, home offices).

• 4 .

  Install dimmers

  Dimmers are surprisingly cheap and easy to install. And in addition to being great for mood-setting, dimmers can also help you save on your lighting costs. It's estimated that dimming your lights to 75% of their brightness can save you up to 20% on your lighting costs.

• 5 .

  Choose Perch Energy

  
  
  • For guaranteed savings on your annual electricity cost, join a community solar project in your area. Perch will help match you to a local solar farm&#;you'll support the operations of that farm so that it can generate and contribute as much clean, solar energy to the overall grid. You don't directly receive electricity from the solar power you're supporting, but thanks to government incentives, you'll get credits toward your own utility bill. Essentially, you're being rewarded with discounts on your own electricity because you're enabling solar generation and development in your state.
  • With Perch, you can take your fossil-fuel-fighting, money-saving ways even further when you also switch your home or business' electricity plan to cleaner energy. If you're on your utility's default basic service rate, it's a "mixed" energy plan (generated partly by fossil fuels, partly by renewable resources). But Perch can switch you to a low-cost cleaner energy plan&#;outside of what your utility is offering&#;that's backed 100% by clean, renewable resources like solar and wind. We'll find you a price that's lower than the market rate for similar options in your area. You don't have to do anything differently, but you'll feel great knowing that your personal electricity usage is now contributing to a healthier planet, and you've reduced your everyday carbon footprint.

  At Perch , we're on a mission to make cleaner energy more accessible, more affordable, and more equitable for all. Whether you rent an apartment, own a home, or run a business, Perch offers multiple ways to save money on your electricity bills, or even help the planet, too.

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