lighting · 32W typical
Running a fluorescent tube (4-ft t8) costs about $0.63/month.
That's the typical fluorescent tube (4-ft t8) at 32W, run 4 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 4 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same fluorescent tube (4-ft t8) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
garage/workshop
$0.63
per month
active work hours
basement
$0.32
per month
utility space
office fixtures
$1.58
per month
commercial spaces
Where you live
$1.15 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¢ | $1.58 | $19.25 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $1.21 | $14.67 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $1.18 | $14.39 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $1.10 | $13.41 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $1.07 | $13.03 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.94 | $11.49 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.93 | $11.35 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.86 | $10.42 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.85 | $10.33 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.83 | $10.04 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.74 | $9.02 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.73 | $8.92 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.71 | $8.60 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.70 | $8.46 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.68 | $8.32 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.67 | $8.13 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.66 | $8.04 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.65 | $7.90 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.64 | $7.76 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.63 | $7.62 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.61 | $7.38 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.60 | $7.34 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.60 | $7.29 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.59 | $7.19 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.58 | $7.10 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.58 | $7.10 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.58 | $7.05 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.57 | $6.91 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.57 | $6.91 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.56 | $6.87 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.56 | $6.87 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.56 | $6.82 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.55 | $6.63 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.54 | $6.59 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.53 | $6.49 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.52 | $6.35 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.51 | $6.26 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.51 | $6.21 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.51 | $6.17 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.50 | $6.12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.50 | $6.12 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.49 | $5.93 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.48 | $5.79 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.47 | $5.70 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.46 | $5.65 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.46 | $5.65 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.46 | $5.56 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.45 | $5.42 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.44 | $5.37 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.44 | $5.33 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.43 | $5.28 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $3.61/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
25W
$0.50 per month
$6.02 per year
Typical
32W
$0.63 per month
$7.71 per year
High draw
40W
$0.79 per month
$9.64 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Heavier winter use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Replace T12 fluorescents with T8 or LED tubes — T12 uses 60% more
Saves 50-80 kWh/year per fixture
- 2
Upgrade entire shop fixtures to LED
Eliminates ballast loss and failures
- 3
Use motion sensors in garage/basement
Lights off when not in use
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Philips | F32T8/TL741 | 32W |
| Sylvania | FO32/741/ECO | 32W |
| GE | F32T8/XL/SPX41 | 32W |
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