How Much Does It Cost to Run LED Floodlights?

LED floodlights are a much cheaper means of lighting as they use a lot less electricity to produce the same amount of light when compared to halogen or discharge technologies.  This can be as much as 70-90% less electricity used. The exact running cost will depend on a few different factors including: the wattage of the floodlight, how many hours it is used for and your electricity tariff.

How to Calculate LED Floodlight Running Costs

The basic formula to calculate the cost of running lighting is:

Wattage ÷ 1000 × hours used × electricity cost per kWh

If you have a 50W LED floodlight for example that is running for 5 hours per day and an electricity tariff that works out at £0.30 per kWh the calculation would look like this:

50 ÷ 1000 = 0.05kW

0.05 × 5 = 0.25kWh per day

0.25 × £0.30 = 7.5p per day

For the long term this works out at around £2.25 per month and £27 per year.

Typical LED Floodlight Running Costs

Below are some examples of how much different types of LED floodlights would cost to run based on a tariff of £0.30 per kWh:

Please be advised that these are estimated figures but they will serve to give you an approximate idea on how it will cost to run LED floodlights.

LED vs Halogen Floodlight Running Costs

One of the biggest advantages of LED floodlights is how much less electricity they use compared to halogen floodlights.  A 50W LED floodlight can produce the same amount of brightness as a 300W-500W halogen floodlight.  In monetary terms this translates to a saving of up to 90%:

1 x 500W Halogen Floodlight

0.5kW × 5 hours × £0.30 = 75p per day

Annual cost:

• around £274 per year

1 x 50W LED Floodlight

0.05kW × 5 hours × £0.30 = 7.5p per day

Annual cost:

• around £27 per year

It is easy to see from these figures how quickly the savings will add up and this is especially so if more than one floodlight is being used at the property.

Why LED Floodlights Are So Efficient

LEDs are able to convert far more electricity into usable light as they do not need to use energy towards heating up the filament.

Halogen floodlights produce large amounts of heat in order to produce light and because of this they are relatively inefficient.  This is especially the case when they are compared to LED floodlights.  LEDs stay much cooler and require far less power to achieve the same brightness.

Motion Sensors Can Reduce Your Running Costs Further

You may wish to purchase a LED floodlight that has a PIR motion sensor or dusk till dawn sensor to save more money as they will only turn on during the day or when they sense motion nearby.  

How Long Do LED Floodlights Last?

Another major cost advantage for LED lighting is their lifespan.  A LED floodlight can last between 30,000-50,000 hours whereas a halogen floodlight has an advised lifespan of 2000-5000 hours.

This means that LED floodlights require fewer replacements and less maintenance over time which will also reduce the total cost spent on labour costs to replace lighting.  For high mounted or commercial floodlights this can lead to significant long term savings.

Do LED Floodlights Use Power When Turned Off?

Standard LED floodlights do not normally consume electricity when switched off.  Smart floodlights or Wi-fi enabled fittings however may use a small amount of power when on standby.  This will be an extremely small amount if this is the case.

Summary

LED floodlights can significantly reduce outdoor lighting electricity costs especially in comparison to older halogen or discharge lighting systems.  Depending on the wattage and the usage domestic LED floodlights will cost only a few pence per day to operate.  For businesses the cost spent on electricity for floodlights can reduce by as much as 90% when switching over to LED.