The bill lands and it is higher again. You check the AC, you check the machines — but the
cost that quietly adds up month after month is often the one hanging from your ceiling.
Lighting runs for hours every day across every room, and in many businesses it is one of the
largest and most controllable parts of the electricity bill. Here is how to find out, and how
to cut it.
Why Lighting Costs More Than You Think
Lighting is deceptive because each fitting seems small. But multiply one fitting by how many
you have, by how many hours they run, by how many days a year — and the number gets large fast.
Three things quietly inflate it:
- Old technology: tube lights, CFLs, metal halide and sodium lamps waste
much of their power as heat. - Always-on habits: lights burning in empty rooms, corridors and yards.
- Over-lighting: more brightness than a space actually needs.
The Single Biggest Fix: Switch to Efficient LED
Modern LED produces the same light for a fraction of the power. Replacing old fittings
typically cuts lighting energy by 50–70% — a saving that repeats every month
for years. India’s Bureau of
Energy Efficiency actively promotes this shift for exactly that reason.
| Old Fitting | LED Replacement | Energy Saved |
|---|---|---|
| 400W metal halide | 120–150W LED | ~65% |
| 250W sodium | 80–100W LED | ~62% |
| 40W tube light | 18–20W LED batten | ~50% |
Then Add Controls — Stop Paying for Empty Rooms
After LED, the next saving is simply not lighting space nobody is using. Occupancy sensors,
timers, daylight dimming and zoning mean you pay only for the light you actually need. For large
outdoor or street networks, a CCMS
automates dimming and can push total savings even higher.
How to Find Your Hidden Lighting Cost
- Count your fittings and their wattage
- Estimate daily hours they run
- Multiply: watts × hours × days ÷ 1000 = units/year, × your tariff = yearly cost
- Compare against efficient LED equivalents — the gap is your saving
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my electricity bill is lighting?
It varies, but in shops, offices, warehouses and factories lighting is often a surprisingly
large and controllable share — especially with old or always-on fittings.
How much can LED cut my lighting bill?
Typically 50–70% versus old tube, CFL, metal halide or sodium lighting, plus more with
controls.
What is the fastest way to cut lighting cost?
Replace the oldest, longest-running fittings with efficient LED first, then add sensors and
timers to stop lighting empty spaces.
Do lighting controls really save money?
Yes — occupancy sensors, timers and dimming cut waste significantly, especially in
intermittently used areas.
Reway helps businesses cut lighting costs with high-efficacy LED lighting and smart controls, plus free
energy assessments. Get a lighting cost
assessment →
