How Many Watts Does A Light Bulb Use?

Ecoflow

Table of contents

To get a clearer picture of wattage and its relationship with light, here’s a breakdown by bulb type:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that."

When you flip a light switch, you may wonder how much power your light bulb consumes. The answer varies based on the bulb’s type, size, and efficiency. Understanding how many watts a light bulb uses can help you manage energy consumption, reduce costs, and make smarter decisions about the lighting in your home or office.

What Determines Light Bulb Wattage

Wattage indicates how much electrical power a light bulb consumes. Several factors determine the wattage of a bulb, including:

Bulb Type: Different types of bulbs, such as LED, incandescent, and CFL, have varying wattage needs to produce similar levels of brightness.
Brightness (Lumens): Higher wattage typically equals greater brightness, but newer technology like LED bulbs requires less power to achieve the same brightness.
Energy Efficiency: More efficient bulbs, like LEDs, use less power to produce more light, resulting in lower wattage.
Design: Some bulbs have designs that require more energy to produce a specific type of light, like directional spotlights or decorative bulbs.
Voltage: Higher voltage can reduce the wattage needed for the same brightness in some bulb designs.

Light Bulb Wattage By Type

To get a clearer picture of wattage and its relationship with light, here’s a breakdown by bulb type:

Bulb Type	Common Wattages	Brightness Equivalent (in Lumens)
Incandescent	40W, 60W, 75W, 100W	450-1600 lumens
CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp)	9W, 13W, 18W, 23W	450-1600 lumens
LED (Light Emitting Diode)	4W, 6W, 9W, 12W, 15W, 20W	450-1600 lumens

Incandescent bulbs are traditional bulbs, using more power for less light. For example, a 60W incandescent bulb emits around 800 lumens of light, while an LED bulb of only 8-10W can achieve the same result.CFL bulbs use less energy than incandescent but more than LEDs. They’re generally more efficient than traditional bulbs but not as energy-saving as LEDs.LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient option available today. A 10W LED bulb can produce the same amount of light as a 60W incandescent bulb, making them the ideal choice for reducing energy consumption.

How Much Electricity Does a Light Bulb Use a Day, Month, and Year?

Bulb Type	Wattage	Daily Energy Usage (kWh)	Monthly Energy Usage (kWh)	Annual Energy Usage (kWh)
Incandescent	40W	0.24 kWh	7.2 kWh	87.6 kWh
	60W	0.36 kWh	10.8 kWh	130.2 kWh
	75W	0.45 kWh	13.5 kWh	164.25 kWh
	100W	0.60 kWh	18.0 kWh	219.0 kWh
CFL	9W	0.054 kWh	1.62 kWh	19.56 kWh
	13W	0.078 kWh	2.34 kWh	28.08 kWh
	18W	0.108 kWh	3.24 kWh	38.16 kWh
	23W	0.138 kWh	4.14 kWh	49.68 kWh
LED	4W	0.024 kWh	0.72 kWh	8.64 kWh
	6W	0.036 kWh	1.08 kWh	12.96 kWh
	9W	0.054 kWh	1.62 kWh	19.44 kWh
	12W	0.072 kWh	2.16 kWh	25.92 kWh
	15W	0.09 kWh	2.70 kWh	32.4 kWh

The table above shows how much electricity different types of light bulbs use per day, month, and year, based on common wattages of each and an assumed usage of 6 hours per day.

How Much Does it Cost to Run a Light Bulb (By the US State)

Table 1: New England, Middle Atlantic, and East North Central

States	Daily Cost (cents)	Monthly Cost (cents)	Annual Cost (cents)
Connecticut	10.14	304.13	3700.22
Maine	9.46	283.93	3454.51
Massachusetts	11.24	337.18	4102.31
New Hampshire	8.5	255.1	3103.67
Rhode Island	9.11	273.35	3325.73
New Jersey	10.94	328.19	3973.85
New York	12.58	377.46	4599.69
Pennsylvania	8.52	255.59	3115.86
Illinois	8.7	261.04	3186.73
Indiana	7.93	237.89	2906.91
Michigan	9.83	295	3607.8
Ohio	8.69	260.68	3183.29
Wisconsin	8.92	267.69	3269.82

Table 2: South Atlantic & East South Central

States	Daily Cost (cents)	Monthly Cost (cents)	Annual Cost (cents)
Delaware	8.83	264.87	3249.93
District of Columbia	9.93	297.9	3653.79
Florida	7.56	226.84	2779.76
Georgia	7.49	224.67	2748.84
Maryland	9.02	270.55	3306.6
North Carolina	7.49	224.67	2748.84
South Carolina	7.68	230.39	2823.28
Virginia	7.77	233.12	2856.11
West Virginia	7.81	234.25	2859.34
Alabama	7.94	238.15	2908.61
Kentucky	7.97	239.08	2917.11
Mississippi	8.03	241.01	2936.34
Tennessee	7.82	234.65	2858.44

Table 3: West South Central & Mountain

State	Daily Cost (cents)	Monthly Cost (cents)	Annual Cost (cents)
Arkansas	7.02	210.47	2578.61
Louisiana	7.02	210.47	2575.54
Oklahoma	6.91	207.39	2531.76
Texas	9.19	275.67	3378.73
Arizona	9.12	273.6	3356.14
Colorado	9.1	272.89	3347.12
Idaho	6.58	197.42	2429.94
Montana	7.13	213.89	2610.25
Nevada	8.83	264.87	3249.93
New Mexico	8.56	256.76	3149.8
Utah	6.61	198.29	2433.84
Wyoming	6.93	207.89	2577.66

Table 4 : Pacific Contiguous & Pacific Noncontiguous

States	Daily Cost (cents)	Monthly Cost (cents)	Annual Cost (cents)
California	10.99	329.94	4014.27
Oregon	5.08	152.5	1855.37
Washington	4.26	127.76	1554.46
Alaska	8.06	241.7	2940.73
Hawaii	15.24	457.27	5563.48

Note: The data is calulated on the basis of the 60W incandescent light bulb, the 6-hours of usage per day, 30 days a month, 365 days a year and the offical electricity rates made public by EIA in December, 2024.

Can a Portable Power Station Run Light Bulbs?

Portable power stations can indeed run light bulbs. They are often equipped with outlets for standard AC plugs and multiple DC ports. Take the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max. With its 512Wh capacity and 500W AC output (surge 1000W), it is more than capable of powering low-wattage bulbs like LED or CFL types.

For a single bulb: The RIVER 2 Max can run a 60W incandescent bulb for several hours, or a 10W LED bulb for an even longer duration.
For multiple bulbs: If you plan to run several 60W incandescent bulbs (for example, three of them, totaling 180W), the RIVER 2 Max would easily handle the load. Given its 512Wh battery, it could run those bulbs for several hours, depending on the specific wattage.
Runtime: With the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, you could power a 60W LED bulb for about 8-10 hours, making it an efficient choice for running light bulbs during power outages or outdoor use.

In fact, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max has more to offer in various settings. Take a closer look at what really enables this must-have gadget:

Feature	Details
Battery Capacity	512Wh
Power Output	500W continuous (Surge 1000W)
Charging Speed	0-100% in 60 minutes (5x faster than most power stations)
Battery Type	LiFePO4 (LFP) Battery
Cycle Life	80%+ capacity after 3000 cycles (about 10 years of use)
Charging Methods	AC Charging, Car Charging, Solar Charging, USB-C Charging
Emergency Power Supply (EPS)	<30ms auto-switch for ultra-fast home backup during power outages
USB Outputs	2 x USB-A (5V, 2.4A, 12W max)
Solar Input	11-50V, 13A, 220W max
DC Output	12.6V, 10A/3A, 126W max
Discharge Temperature	14°F to 113°F (-10°C to 45°C)
Car Input	12V/24V, 8A, 100W max
App Control	EcoFlow app for monitoring and control remotely
Safety Certification	TÜV Rheinland certified for safety
Portability	Weighs approximately 13.4 lbs ;10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 inches
Warranty	5-year warranty

Let There Be Light

Understanding how many watts a light bulb uses helps not only reduce energy bills but also encourages more sustainable energy choices. Switching to efficient lighting like LEDs can save a lot in the long run. If you’re on the go, portable power stations, such as the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, can give you the flexibility to use light bulbs wherever you need them—just make sure you select the right size to match your needs.