How Much Does It Cost to Run a Window Candle?
A typical Window Candle uses 7W and runs about 8 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $0.28/month.
Calculate Your Cost
What Affects the Cost of Running a Window Candle
Window Candles Are Trivially Cheap to Run
A single 7W incandescent window candle costs about $0.28/month running 8 hours/night. LED window candles draw about 1W and cost about $0.04/month each. Even 10 incandescent candles in every window cost under $3/month. With LED candles, the same display costs about $0.40/month total. This is one of the cheapest holiday decorations to operate.
Window Candle vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Window Candle compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Window Candle (this page) | $0.28 | At national average rate, 8hrs/day |
| LED window candle (per candle) | ~$0.04 | 85% less than incandescent. Nearly free to run. |
| Incandescent window candle (per candle) | ~$0.28 | Warmer light. Still very cheap per candle. |
| Battery-operated candle | $0 electricity + $1-3 batteries | No cord. Battery cost exceeds electricity cost of wired candles. |
| Real wax candle | $3-8 per candle | Ambiance and scent. Fire risk. Far more expensive than electric. |
Window Candle Cost by State
What a Window Candle costs to run at 7W for 8 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $0.25 | $2.99 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $0.43 | $5.11 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $0.23 | $2.78 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $0.21 | $2.55 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $0.53 | $6.33 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $0.26 | $3.07 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $0.49 | $5.92 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $0.26 | $3.07 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $0.27 | $3.2 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $0.26 | $3.15 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $0.24 | $2.85 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $0.73 | $8.71 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $0.18 | $2.19 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $0.28 | $3.3 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $0.25 | $3.05 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $0.24 | $2.87 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $0.25 | $3.02 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $0.22 | $2.59 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $0.2 | $2.42 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $0.38 | $4.61 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $0.27 | $3.25 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $0.48 | $5.8 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $0.32 | $3.78 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $0.26 | $3.09 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $0.23 | $2.77 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $0.22 | $2.64 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $0.21 | $2.51 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $0.2 | $2.42 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $0.25 | $3.03 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $0.43 | $5.11 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $0.32 | $3.78 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $0.38 | $4.61 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $0.23 | $2.82 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $0.2 | $2.39 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $0.26 | $3.09 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $0.2 | $2.42 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $0.22 | $2.64 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $0.28 | $3.4 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $0.46 | $5.47 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $0.25 | $3.02 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $0.23 | $2.77 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $0.22 | $2.59 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $0.25 | $3.02 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $0.18 | $2.19 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $0.36 | $4.3 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $0.26 | $3.09 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $0.18 | $2.17 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $0.22 | $2.64 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $0.29 | $3.42 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $0.19 | $2.26 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Window Candle
- LED window candles use about 1W compared to 7W for incandescent
- A full house of 8-10 candles still costs very little per night
- Use a timer to automate on/off and avoid forgetting them
- Battery-operated candles have zero electricity cost but ongoing battery expense
Frequently Asked Questions
An incandescent 7W candle running 8 hours/night costs about 1 cent per night ($0.28/month). An LED candle costs less than 0.2 cents per night ($0.04/month). A house with 8 incandescent candles costs about $2.25/month. Switching all 8 to LED drops it to about $0.32/month.
If you prefer the warm glow of incandescent, the cost difference is small enough (a few dollars per season) that it is a personal preference. LED candles last far longer and produce no heat, making them safer for unattended use. If cost savings is the priority, LED saves about $2/month for a full house display. If ambiance is the priority, keep the incandescent.
Related Appliances
Christmas Lights (Incandescent)
250W typical
Christmas Lights (LED)
25W typical
Inflatable Yard Decoration
200W typical
Electric Fireplace
1500W typical
Garage Workshop Heater
4000W typical
Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.