You’ve probably heard it a thousand times:
“Turn off the lights when you leave the room.”
But does turning off lights save money in a modern home with LED lighting, smart devices, and energy-efficient appliances? Or is this just outdated advice that stuck around longer than incandescent bulbs?
Let’s break it down honestly.
The Old Rule: When Lights Did Cost Real Money
Back when homes were lit with incandescent bulbs, lighting was surprisingly expensive.
A typical bulb used 60 watts. Leave a few on all evening and you were literally burning electricity. In that era, turning lights off absolutely made a noticeable difference on your hydro bill.
So yes — your parents were right then.
The Modern Reality: LEDs Changed Everything
Most homes today use LED lighting, which is dramatically more efficient.
To put it in perspective:
- Old incandescent: 60 watts
- Modern LED (same brightness): 8–10 watts
- Energy reduction: 80–85% less power
That means:
- Leaving one LED light on for 10 hours might cost a penny or two
- Even several lights left on all day adds only a small amount to your monthly bill
So… does turning off lights save money today?
Yes.
But not nearly as much as most people think.
The Big Energy Users in Your Home
If your goal is to actually reduce your electricity costs, lighting is no longer the main issue. The real drivers of your power bill are:
Heating & Cooling
Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, baseboard heaters — these consume far more electricity than any light ever could.
Major Appliances
Dryers, stoves, dishwashers, older refrigerators, and freezers use significant power every time they run.
Standby Power (“Phantom Load”)
Electronics that are “off” but still plugged in — TVs, gaming consoles, office equipment — continue drawing power in the background.
Turning off one space heater saves more energy than turning off dozens of LED lights.
“But Doesn’t Turning Lights On and Off Waste Power?”
This is one of the most common myths.
- Incandescent bulbs: No issue.
- CFL bulbs (older curly ones): Tiny startup surge, but still cheaper to turn them off.
- LED bulbs: Negligible startup energy and no meaningful impact on lifespan.
Bottom line:
If you’re leaving a room for more than a few minutes, turn the light off.
It always saves more power than leaving it on.
What Does It Actually Save?
Let’s keep it real.
Say you have:
- 10 LED lights
- Each uses 10 watts
- Left on unnecessarily for 5 hours a day
That works out to about 15 kWh per month, which might be around $2–$3 on your bill depending on your rates.
So yes — the savings are real… just not dramatic per bulb.
So… Is It Still Worth Doing?
Absolutely — for three reasons:
- It does save money, even if it’s small per light
- It reduces heat and wear on fixtures
- It reinforces energy-smart habits
But if your power bill feels high, the bigger wins come from:
- Improving insulation and air sealing
- Upgrading heating or cooling systems
- Managing high-draw appliances
- Eliminating unnecessary standby power
Turning off the lights still makes sense.
And yes — turning off lights does save money.
But in modern homes, lighting is no longer the main problem.
If you want to reduce energy costs meaningfully, you need to look at the bigger electrical picture — not just the switches on your wall.
At TYFAR Electric Inc., we help homeowners and businesses understand where their power is actually going and how to make smart, cost-effective upgrades that last.
Because saving energy isn’t about one habit — it’s about the right system.
According to Natural Resources Canada
Thinking about switching to LED lighting?
If you’re curious whether your home or business would actually benefit from an LED upgrade, we can help you figure it out — no pressure, no guesswork.