Is a grow light expensive to run?

Modern LED fixtures deliver the same usable light as HPS on roughly 40% less power and much less waste heat. At typical use it adds about $36.09 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $25.21 in the cheapest states to $93.86 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a grow light use?

Grow Light typically draws about 600 running watts. It's a resistive load, so its startup and running wattage are the same. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a grow light use?

At typical use (600 W for 12 hours a day), a grow light uses about 7.2 kWh per day — roughly 219 kWh per month, or about 25% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate — only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a grow light?

Modern LED fixtures deliver the same usable light as HPS on roughly 40% less power and much less waste heat. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate — many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours — or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Grow Light?

A 600-watt-class grow light on a 12-hour cycle is one of the few hobby loads that rivals major appliances — the light bill is part of the grow budget. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a grow light costs about $36.09/month ($433.09/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 12

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a grow light

$433/yr

Per day: $1.19
Per month: $36.09
Energy per year: 2,628 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a grow light use?

At 600 W for 12 hours a day, a grow light uses about 7.2 kWh per day — roughly 219 kWh per month and 2,628 kWh per year. That's about 25% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a grow light draws.

Cost to run a grow light by electricity rate

Same 600 W appliance, 12 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$25.21	$302.48
US average	16.5¢	$36.09	$433.09
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$93.86	$1,126.36

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a grow light drawing 600 watts for about 12 hours a day costs roughly $1.19 per day, $36.09 per month, and $433.09 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Grow Light?

How much electricity does a grow light use?

Cost to run a grow light by electricity rate

Frequently asked questions