Switching from an incandescent bulb to an LED can reduce electricity use without reducing brightness, but the financial benefit depends on the bulb's wattage, hours of use and your actual electricity price. This guide shows the arithmetic for a Canadian household using illustrative prices, not a claimed national rate.
Compare brightness first: lumens, not watts
Watts measure electricity consumption; lumens measure light output. The US Department of Energy lists roughly 800 lumens as the brightness of a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb. An LED producing similar light may use approximately 6–11 watts, depending on the product.
Check the actual package lumens, colour temperature, dimming compatibility and fixture restrictions. Do not assume every LED labelled '60W equivalent' uses exactly the same wattage.
Example: one 60W bulb versus a 9W LED
Assume each bulb runs three hours daily. Incandescent: 60 × 3 × 365 ÷ 1,000 = 65.7 kWh per year. LED: 9 × 3 × 365 ÷ 1,000 = 9.855 kWh per year. Difference: 55.845 kWh, or about 85% less electricity for this illustrative pairing.
At an assumed CAD $0.15 per kWh, the annual electricity saving is approximately CAD $8.38 per bulb. At CAD $0.10 per kWh it is about CAD $5.58; at CAD $0.20 it is about CAD $11.17. These are illustrative energy-only calculations, not quotes from Canadian utilities.
What about ten bulbs?
If ten bulbs all match the same 60W-to-9W comparison and run three hours daily, they would save about 558 kWh per year, or CAD $83.77 at the illustrative $0.15/kWh rate. Actual savings will differ because household bulbs have different wattages and use patterns.
To estimate your own bill impact, multiply the kWh saved by the relevant marginal electricity rate on your bill. Fixed charges and tiered pricing may change how much your total bill falls.
Does replacing a working bulb pay off?
A CAD $5 LED replacing a working 60W incandescent in the example above has a simple energy-only payback of roughly seven months at CAD $0.15/kWh. That ignores taxes, changes in usage and any cost to obtain or dispose of the bulb.
A rarely used bulb may take much longer to repay its purchase price. Prioritize high-use fixtures and consider replacing working bulbs as they fail if immediate savings are small.
Shopping checklist for Canadian homes
Match the socket and physical dimensions; verify enclosed-fixture, outdoor and dimmer compatibility; compare lumens, colour rendering and colour temperature; check warranty terms and local recycling guidance.
For the broader buying criteria, see our LED lighting buying guide. Product specifications and local electricity prices should be verified before purchase.
Sources and further reading
These official resources informed this guide. Check them for updates and specific product details.
- US Department of Energy — Purchasing Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs ↗
- US Department of Energy — Guide to Energy Efficient Lighting ↗
For readers in Canada and the US
Efficiency programs, certifications, product availability, electrical or plumbing rules and rebates can vary by jurisdiction. Confirm the requirements and claims for the exact product and location before purchasing.