Is an Efficient LED Light Bulb Worth It in Canada? (2026)
With electricity at 14.0¢ per kWh in Canada, an efficient LED light bulb pays for itself in 3 months, even if your current one still works.
An efficient LED light bulb cuts electricity by 85%: about 94 kWh, worth C$13.16 a year in Canada. Worth it now
- From
- 60 W incandescent bulb, about 110 kWh a year
- To
- 9 W LED giving the same light, about 16 kWh a year
- Usage
- 5 hours a day
| Scenario | You pay | Payback | Net over its life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace a working LED light bulb now | C$3.00 | 3 months | C$128.60 |
| Replacing anyway: choose the efficient one | C$3.00 | 3 months | C$128.60 |
Prices are typical figures; type your own quotes above. Net over its life is the total saving over the years it lasts minus what you pay. It ignores inflation, interest and changes in electricity prices, which is conservative while prices are rising.
Our take
The best investment on the site by a mile. Payback is measured in weeks. Replace every incandescent and halogen bulb you still have, today.
How the two models compare
| Inefficient | Efficient | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | 60 W incandescent bulb | 9 W LED giving the same light |
| Electricity per year | 110 kWh | 16 kWh |
| Cost per year here | C$15.40 | C$2.24 |
| Over 10 years | C$154.00 | C$22.40 |
Usage behind these figures: 5 hours a day. Basis: 800 lumen bulbs: 60 W incandescent vs 9 W LED, at 5 hours a day. The LED Light Bulb page prices the appliance at its own typical hours, which you can change there.
The same upgrade in other countries
| Country | Saving per year | Payback, replacing now | Payback, replacing anyway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | $17.24 | 2 months | 2 months | Worth it now |
| United Kingdom | £24.74 | 1 month | 1 month | Worth it now |
| Germany | €34.78 | 1 month | 1 month | Worth it now |
| France | €18.81 | 2 months | 2 months | Worth it now |
| Australia | A$32.90 | 1 month | 1 month | Worth it now |
| Canada (average) | C$13.16 | 3 months | 3 months | Worth it now |
Local electricity prices, with the same purchase price read in local currency, which is a simplification. The saving column is what matters: the higher the price of electricity, the faster any upgrade pays back.
Other upgrades in Canada, fastest payback first
- Dehumidifiersaves C$75.60 a year · worth it when replacing
- Electric Water Heatersaves C$429.24 a year · worth it when replacing
- Pool Pumpsaves C$196.56 a year · worth it when replacing
- Wi-Fi Routersaves C$14.70 a year · worth it when replacing
- Electric Sauna Heatersaves C$237.58 a year · not for the electricity
- Chest Freezersaves C$43.40 a year · worth it when replacing
- Hot Tubsaves C$357.70 a year · not for the electricity
- Clothes Dryersaves C$63.00 a year · worth it when replacing
- Air Conditionersaves C$35.00 a year · worth it when replacing
- Refrigeratorsaves C$60.20 a year · worth it when replacing
- Desktop Computersaves C$42.98 a year · not for the electricity
- Space Heatersaves C$126.00 a year · not for the electricity
- Electric Stovesaves C$20.44 a year · not for the electricity
- Dishwashersaves C$19.60 a year · not for the electricity
- Washing Machinesaves C$13.30 a year · not for the electricity
- Televisionsaves C$10.22 a year · not for the electricity