lighting · 72W typical
Running a chandelier (multi-bulb fixture) costs about $1.07/month.
That's the typical chandelier (multi-bulb fixture) at 72W, run 3 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 3 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same chandelier (multi-bulb fixture) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
dining room dinner
$1.07
per month
dinner and evening use
foyer always-on
$3.56
per month
welcoming light in entryways
Where you live
$1.94 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¢ | $2.67 | $32.48 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $2.03 | $24.76 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $2.00 | $24.28 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $1.86 | $22.63 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $1.81 | $22.00 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $1.59 | $19.39 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $1.57 | $19.16 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $1.45 | $17.58 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $1.43 | $17.42 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $1.39 | $16.95 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $1.25 | $15.22 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $1.24 | $15.06 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $1.19 | $14.51 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $1.17 | $14.27 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $1.15 | $14.03 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $1.13 | $13.72 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $1.11 | $13.56 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $1.10 | $13.32 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $1.08 | $13.09 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $1.06 | $12.85 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $1.02 | $12.46 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $1.02 | $12.38 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $1.01 | $12.30 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $1.00 | $12.14 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.98 | $11.98 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.98 | $11.98 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.98 | $11.90 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.96 | $11.67 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.96 | $11.67 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.95 | $11.59 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.95 | $11.59 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.95 | $11.51 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.92 | $11.20 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.91 | $11.12 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.90 | $10.96 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.88 | $10.72 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.87 | $10.56 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.86 | $10.49 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.86 | $10.41 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.85 | $10.33 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.85 | $10.33 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.82 | $10.01 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.80 | $9.78 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.79 | $9.62 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.78 | $9.54 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.78 | $9.54 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.77 | $9.38 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.75 | $9.15 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.75 | $9.07 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.74 | $8.99 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.73 | $8.91 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $101.90/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
36W
$0.53 per month
$6.50 per year
Typical
72W
$1.07 per month
$13.01 per year
High draw
600W
$8.91 per month
$108.41 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Heavier fall and winter evening use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Swap all candelabra 40W incandescents for 6W LEDs
8-bulb fixture saves 270W when on
- 2
Add a dimmer — most chandeliers sit at 60-70% brightness most evenings
Cuts watts 30-40%
- 3
Motion/timer switch for foyer chandeliers
Eliminates 4-6 hours of accidental runtime daily
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Hinkley | Plantation 4-light (40W candelabra) | 160W |
| Minka-Lavery | 6-light chandelier | 240W |
| Kichler | 8-light dining chandelier | 320W |
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.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13