Outdoor security light vs Shop light (fluorescent): which costs more to run? (2026)
Baseline uses U.S. average $0.180/kWh, typical wattage, and typical hours/day from our catalog. At that rate: Outdoor security light ~$3.45/mo (19.2 kWh/mo) · Shop light (fluorescent) ~$0.86/mo (4.8 kWh/mo).
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Estimates below use the rate you pick (defaults match your locale when possible). The summary paragraph above stays at U.S. average for SEO; see methodology for sources.
$0.180/kWh
Higher cost: Outdoor security light · +300% ($2.59/mo vs Shop light (fluorescent))
Outdoor security light
Higher cost- Typical watts
- 80 W
- Hours/day
- 8
- Monthly est.
- $3.45
- kWh/mo
- 19.2
Shop light (fluorescent)
Lower cost- Typical watts
- 40 W
- Hours/day
- 4
- Monthly est.
- $0.86
- kWh/mo
- 4.8
Outdoor security light is estimated to cost more per month at typical use.
Compare by U.S. state
State pages use local utility averages (TYPE7). Open a state for either appliance to fine-tune hours and watts.