lighting · 13W typical
Running a cfl bulb (13w, 60w equivalent) costs about $0.13/month.
That's the typical cfl bulb (13w, 60w equivalent) at 13W, run 2 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
Full-power draw for 2 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same cfl bulb (13w, 60w equivalent) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
basement utility
$0.13
per month
rarely-used space
garage fixture
$0.06
per month
brief use each day
Where you live
$0.23 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $0.32 | $3.91 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $0.24 | $2.98 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $0.24 | $2.92 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $0.22 | $2.72 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $0.22 | $2.65 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.19 | $2.33 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.19 | $2.31 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.17 | $2.12 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.17 | $2.10 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.17 | $2.04 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.15 | $1.83 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.15 | $1.81 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.14 | $1.75 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.14 | $1.72 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.14 | $1.69 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.14 | $1.65 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.13 | $1.63 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.13 | $1.60 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.13 | $1.58 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.13 | $1.55 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.12 | $1.50 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.12 | $1.49 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.12 | $1.48 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.12 | $1.46 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.12 | $1.44 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.12 | $1.44 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.12 | $1.43 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.12 | $1.40 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.12 | $1.40 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.11 | $1.40 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.11 | $1.40 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.11 | $1.39 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.11 | $1.34 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.11 | $1.32 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.11 | $1.29 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.10 | $1.27 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.10 | $1.26 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.10 | $1.25 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.10 | $1.24 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.10 | $1.24 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.10 | $1.21 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.10 | $1.18 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.10 | $1.16 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.09 | $1.15 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.09 | $1.15 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.09 | $1.13 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.09 | $1.10 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.09 | $1.09 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.09 | $1.07 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $1.20/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
13W
$0.13 per month
$1.57 per year
Typical
13W
$0.13 per month
$1.57 per year
High draw
23W
$0.23 per month
$2.77 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Shorter days = more use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Replace all CFLs with LEDs at next burnout
LEDs use 30% less and last 3x longer
- 2
Don't cycle CFLs rapidly — shortens life by 50%
Leaves-on patterns actually suit CFLs better than LEDs
- 3
Recycle CFLs properly — mercury
Environmental obligation, not energy but important
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| GE | T3 Spiral 60W Equiv | 13W |
| Sylvania | CF13EL/MINI/827 Spiral | 13W |
| TCP | 4T213/RS | 13W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13