Home Energy Savings Calculator
Three changes account for most of the easy savings in a typical home: LED lighting, a thermostat setback, and killing standby power. Enter your numbers to see the annual total.
Assumes a 60W incandescent replaced by a 9W LED, 1% heating savings per °F of 8-hour setback (US DOE), and standby power at 7% of the electric bill with 75% of it recoverable via smart strips.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one LED bulb actually save per year?
Replacing a 60W incandescent with a 9W LED running 3 hours a day saves about 56 kWh a year. At the US average of 17 cents per kWh that is roughly $9.50 per bulb per year, so a typical 20-bulb home saves close to $190 annually.
Is turning the thermostat down really worth it?
The US Department of Energy estimates roughly 1% heating savings for each 1°F setback over an 8-hour period. On a $1,200 annual heating bill, a 7°F overnight setback is around $84 a year, and a programmable thermostat makes it automatic.
What is standby or phantom power?
Devices that draw power while switched off — TVs, consoles, chargers, cable boxes, coffee makers. It is typically 5 to 10% of a home electricity bill. Smart power strips cut it without you remembering to unplug anything.
Do these savings stack?
Yes, they are independent. Lighting, heating setback and standby draw are separate loads, so the totals add together. This calculator sums all three.
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