What does outdoor lighting cost in electricity?

How much electricity an outdoor light uses depends on factors such as the type of outdoor light, the wattage and the number of hours it burns per day. In this article, we calculate the costs for various types of lighting, including LED, halogen and incandescent bulbs, and compare their annual costs.

We also discuss ways to reduce electricity costs, such as using LED bulbs, motion sensors and solar lighting. Finally, we look at how smart lighting can optimise energy consumption and what the cost difference is between 12V and 230V garden lighting.

The average electricity costs for outdoor lighting range between €10 and €70 per year, depending on the type of lamp and how it's used. For a 10-watt LED bulb that burns 6 hours a day, the costs amount to around €11.39 per year. The exact costs depend on several factors, such as the wattage of the lamp, the number of hours it burns, the type of lighting (LED, halogen, incandescent), and the electricity price.

Below you'll find a calculation of the costs for a 10-watt LED bulb that burns 6 hours a day.

Cost calculation:

• 10-watt LED bulb: 10 W x 6 hours = 0.06 kWh per day

• Annual consumption: 0.06 kWh x 365 days = 21.9 kWh

• Annual cost: 21.9 kWh x €0.52 = €11.39

Below is a comparison of the annual electricity costs for various types of garden lighting: LED bulbs, halogen bulbs and incandescent bulbs. The table shows the energy consumption and cost per year, based on 6 hours of use per day. This gives you insight into which bulbs are the most energy-efficient and cost-effective for your garden lighting.

Type of bulb	Wattage	Use	Consumption per year (kWh)	Cost per year (€)
LED	10 W	6 hours/day	21.9 kWh	€11.39
Halogen	50 W	6 hours/day	109.5 kWh	€56.94
Incandescent	60 W	6 hours/day	131.4 kWh	€68.33

LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs.

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The factors that influence the cost of an outdoor light include the power rating of the bulb (for example LED vs. halogen) and the number of hours it burns per day. The duration of use, such as in the evening or seasonally, also plays a role in the total cost. In addition, the electricity price per kWh depends on your energy supply contract.

Different weather conditions, such as longer winter evenings, can mean that garden lighting burns more often, which can increase costs. With LED bulbs you can save energy.

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12V lighting is more expensive to install due to the cost of a transformer (€30 to €100). In the long term (1 to 3 years), however, it saves up to 30% on energy costs thanks to lower power consumption. 230V lighting is cheaper to install, but due to its higher energy consumption it becomes more expensive after around 3 to 5 years of continuous use.

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You can lower the electricity costs of garden lighting by taking energy-saving measures. Choose LED lighting, as LED bulbs use significantly less energy and last longer. Install motion sensors or timers so that lights only burn when necessary, which saves energy.

Consider using solar lighting, which is independent of the electricity grid and runs entirely on solar power. These solutions help you save energy efficiently.

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Smart outdoor lighting significantly lowers electricity costs by optimising energy consumption. By using motion sensors and timers, the lighting stays on only when needed. A 10-watt LED bulb, for example, costs around €2.50 per year if it burns an average of 2 hours a day.

With smart lighting and motion sensors, this consumption can drop by around 30%, meaning you save €0.75 to €1 per bulb each year. With multiple bulbs in the garden, this can quickly add up to a saving of €10 to €20 per year, depending on the number of bulbs and how they're used.

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