How much does it cost to run a incandescent light bulb? (2026 price cap)

Typical rating and how we worked this out

This page uses a typical rating of 60W for a incandescent light bulb; published figures for this appliance range from 40W to 100W. A traditional incandescent bulb turns most of its energy into heat rather than light, using around 60W for the brightness an 8W LED now provides — incandescent bulbs have not been sold new in the UK since the 2011 phase-out completed, so most remaining in use are in older fittings or as spares. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as 5 hours a day, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.

Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).

Cost by region

Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:

East Midlands is cheapest at £27.77 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £30.51 a year — a gap of £2.74 for identical use.

How a incandescent light bulb compares with similar appliances

Ranked by typical annual cost in lighting, GB average:

• incandescent light bulb — £28.82 a year (this page)
• Christmas lights — £28.82 a year
• halogen light bulb — £20.17 a year
• LED strip lighting — £11.53 a year
• LED light bulb — £3.84 a year

Three practical ways to cut the cost

1. Replace any incandescent bulbs still in use — the single most expensive common light source to run
2. Check rarely-checked fittings like lofts, sheds and porches for old incandescent bulbs
3. Recycle rather than store old incandescent stock — there is no running-cost case for keeping it

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a incandescent light bulb for an hour?

1.6p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 60W). One typical use — 5 hours a day — costs closer to 7.9p.

How much does a incandescent light bulb cost to run per year?

Around £28.82 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 5 hours a day — about 55p a week.

Which UK region is cheapest to run a incandescent light bulb in?

East Midlands, at £27.77 a year, against £30.51 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £2.74 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.

Does the exact wattage of my incandescent light bulb change the cost much?

Yes — ratings range 40W–100W, so the top of that range costs about 2.5x the bottom. This page uses 60W; check your own rating plate.

Does the October 2026 price cap affect this figure?

Yes — figures use the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity excludes VAT (removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027); gas includes 5%. See the price cap page for the full breakdown.

Sources

• Heatable — how much energy do household appliances use — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
• Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).

Related

• Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
• Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
• Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
• Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.