LED vs Halogen Cost Savings Calculator
| Period | Halogen cost | LED cost | Savings | Cumulative saved |
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A halogen bulb turns most of its power into heat, while an LED produces the same light with a fraction of the energy. A 50 watt halogen is typically replaced by an LED of around 6 to 8 watts, which cuts the energy for that fixture by about 85 percent. Halogen bulbs also last only about 2,000 hours, while quality LEDs are rated for 25,000 hours or more, so they need to be replaced far less often.
The payback period is the extra cost of the LED divided by the money saved each year. The saving depends on the wattage you remove, the hours the light is on each day, and the price you pay for electricity, so enter your own figures for a realistic answer. Lights that run many hours each day pay back fastest, such as kitchens, shops, and offices.
Compare bulbs by lumens, not watts, since lumens measure the light you actually get. Check the color temperature and color rendering index so the new light looks right, and make sure any dimmer is rated for LED loads, because an old dimmer may cause flicker or a limited range. LEDs also give off less heat, which reduces the cooling load in warm weather.