LED Lighting Savings Calculator
Compare existing and LED lighting energy use, annual operating cost, project cost, yearly savings and simple payback.
Default project preview
1,825 kWh/year
Annual cost savings
$328.50
Existing annual cost
$394.20
LED annual cost
$65.70
Net project cost
$80.00
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Number of lamps or fixtures
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 20. Minimum: 1.
Existing watts each
Enter this project assumption in W. The current imperial default is 60 W.
LED watts each
Enter this project assumption in W. The current imperial default is 10 W.
Operating hours
Enter this project assumption in hours/day. The current imperial default is 5 hours/day. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 24.
Operating days
Enter this project assumption in days/year. The current imperial default is 365 days/year. Minimum: 1. Maximum: 366.
Electricity price
Enter this project assumption in per kWh. The current imperial default is 0.18 per kWh. Minimum: 0.
LED price each
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 4. Minimum: 0.
Project rebate
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 0. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Annual cost savings
entered electricity price. Default preview: $328.50.
Existing annual cost
2,190 kWh/year. Default preview: $394.20.
LED annual cost
365 kWh/year. Default preview: $65.70.
Net project cost
LEDs minus rebate. Default preview: $80.00.
Simple payback
project cost ÷ annual savings. Default preview: 0.24 years.
Energy reduction
lighting energy only. Default preview: 83.3%.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Annual energy = fixture count × watts × hours per day × days per year ÷ 1,000. Simple payback = net project cost ÷ annual cost savings.
FAQ
LED Lighting Savings Calculator questions
Does lower wattage always mean equal light output?+
No. Compare lumens, distribution, colour quality and fixture compatibility.
Are cooling savings included?+
No. Reduced heat from lighting may lower cooling load, but that secondary effect is not included.
What does simple payback exclude?+
It excludes financing, energy-price changes, maintenance savings and the time value of money.