LED Lighting Guide: How Much Do LED Bulbs Save in Ontario?

How much do LED bulbs save? In Ontario, roughly $8 a year for every 60-watt incandescent bulb you replace in a fixture used about three hours a day, and much more for bulbs left on longer. LEDs use about 75–85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 15 to 25 times longer, so switching any remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs is one of the fastest-paying energy upgrades available.

That said, many Ontario homes have already switched most bulbs. Natural Resources Canada estimates lighting is only about 4% of household energy use. This guide helps you finish the job well: choosing the right brightness and colour, avoiding flicker and early failures, and knowing where lighting savings stop being worth the effort.

How much do LED bulbs save in Ontario?

The table uses an illustrative all-in electricity cost of 15¢/kWh after the Ontario Electricity Rebate. Your actual cost depends on your local distribution company and price plan.

Bulb comparison	Hours per day	Annual kWh (old vs LED)	Approx. annual saving per bulb
60 W incandescent vs 9 W LED	3	66 vs 10	~$8
60 W incandescent vs 9 W LED	8	175 vs 26	~$22
50 W halogen pot light vs 7 W LED	4	73 vs 10	~$9
100 W incandescent vs 15 W LED	3	110 vs 16	~$14
13 W CFL vs 9 W LED	3	14 vs 10	~$0.60

The last row matters: replacing working compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) with LEDs saves very little energy. Swap CFLs as they fail, unless you dislike their light or warm-up time.

Estimate your own savings with our lighting savings calculator.

Note: In winter, the waste heat from incandescent bulbs slightly offsets your heating. That does not change the recommendation: your furnace or heat pump makes heat far more cheaply, and in summer the extra heat adds to cooling loads.

Choosing brightness and colour

Lumens vs watts

Watts measure power used, not light produced. Buy by lumens, which measure brightness.

Old incandescent	Lumens (approx.)	Typical LED wattage
40 W	450	4–6 W
60 W	800	8–10 W
75 W	1,100	11–13 W
100 W	1,600	14–17 W

When comparing two LEDs of the same brightness, the lower wattage one is more efficient. ENERGY STAR certified bulbs meet requirements for efficiency, light quality and lifespan, which helps screen out poor products.

Colour temperature and light quality

Colour temperature is measured in kelvin (K):

2700 K (warm white): similar to incandescent. Good for living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas.
3000 K (soft white): slightly crisper. Popular for kitchens and bathrooms.
3500–4000 K (neutral or cool white): good for workshops, garages, laundry rooms and task lighting.
5000 K and above (daylight): very blue-white. Useful for detailed work; many people find it harsh in living spaces at night.

Colour rendering index (CRI) describes how naturally colours appear. Look for CRI 90 or higher in kitchens, bathrooms and anywhere you choose clothing or apply makeup. Basic bulbs are often CRI 80.

Tip: Stick with one colour temperature per room. Mixing 2700 K and 5000 K bulbs in one space is the most common reason people dislike LED lighting.

Avoiding common LED problems

Flicker or buzzing on dimmers. Older dimmer switches designed for incandescent loads often do not work well with LEDs. Use bulbs labelled "dimmable" and an LED-compatible dimmer. If a whole circuit flickers, the dimmer is usually the cause.

Early failure in enclosed fixtures. Heat shortens LED life. In enclosed glass fixtures, recessed cans and outdoor lanterns, use bulbs rated for enclosed fixtures.

Smart bulbs and standby power. Wi-Fi smart bulbs draw a small amount of power even when "off", often well under 1 W each. That adds up across many bulbs. Smart switches control several bulbs with one standby draw. Our guide to standby power and phantom loads covers this in more detail.

Disposal. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and should go to household hazardous waste collection, not the garbage. LEDs contain electronics; many municipalities and retailers accept them for recycling.

Pot lights, attics and air leaks

Recessed pot lights below an attic are a classic source of air leakage and heat loss in older Ontario homes. Older "can" lights often have open tops or vents and must be kept clear of insulation.

If you are renovating or adding pot lights under an attic:

Use IC-rated, airtight fixtures or slim LED wafer lights designed to be in contact with insulation.
Seal around the fixture housing from the attic side where possible.
Have the electrical work done under an ESA permit.

Replacing old can lights is often done during attic insulation or air sealing work. See our air sealing guide.

Outdoor lighting and controls

Outdoor and holiday lighting

Outdoor lights often run longer than anything indoors, so they are worth checking:

A 60 W incandescent porch light on from dusk to dawn (about 12 hours a night on average) uses roughly 260 kWh a year, about $40. An LED version on a dusk-to-dawn sensor uses about $6 worth.
Motion sensors on driveway and side-yard lights can cut run time by 80–90%.
Holiday displays are seasonal but can be large; see our post on the cost of holiday lights in Ontario.

Controls: timers, sensors and habits

Once lighting is LED, controls save more than further bulb swaps:

Occupancy or vacancy sensors for garages, basements, closets and laundry rooms.
Timers or smart switches for exterior lights and lamps used for security while away.
Daylight sensors for outdoor fixtures.
Task lighting (under-cabinet, desk lamps) instead of lighting a whole room.

If you want to see how much lighting actually contributes to your bill, a home energy monitor or energy-monitoring smart plugs can show you.

When LED upgrades are not worth more effort

If your home is already 90% LED, lighting may cost you well under $100 a year. Remaining savings are small compared with heating, cooling and water heating. Focus on those next; our home energy checkup can help you prioritize.

Frequently asked questions

Do LED bulbs really last 15 years?

Many are rated for 15,000–25,000 hours. At three hours a day, that is well over a decade. Heat, poor dimmers and power quality can shorten life. Cheap bulbs fail sooner more often.

Can I put an LED bulb in any fixture?

Most standard fixtures, yes, if the base fits. Use enclosed-fixture-rated bulbs in sealed fixtures, and dimmable bulbs on dimmer circuits. Never exceed the fixture's maximum wattage rating, though LEDs rarely approach it.

Are LED tubes worth it for basement or garage fluorescent fixtures?

Often, yes. LED tube replacements use less energy and work better in cold garages. Some types require rewiring the fixture to bypass the ballast; follow the instructions or hire an electrician.

Are there rebates for LED bulbs in Ontario?

Broad bulb rebates are not a regular feature of current Ontario programs. Income-eligible households may qualify for free energy-saving upgrades through the Energy Affordability Program. Check our rebates directory for current options.