Are Candles Cheaper Than Electricity? UK Cost Comparison

With energy bills climbing again, it’s no surprise people are asking whether using candles instead of electric lights could save money.

I’ve seen this suggestion pop up on forums, TikTok and even Facebook groups. “Just use candles in the evening.” Simple, right?

But does it actually work? Or is it one of those ideas that sounds thrifty but costs more in the long run?

Let’s break it down properly.

Electricity Prices in the UK

Under the current price cap, electricity typically costs around 27–30p per kWh for the average UK household (depending on region and payment method).

That’s higher than a few years ago — but lighting still makes up a surprisingly small part of your bill.

The real question is:

How much does a light bulb actually cost to run?

How Much Does a 5W LED Bulb Cost to Run?

A typical LED bulb uses around 5 watts and gives similar brightness to an old 40–50W bulb.

If you run one for 6 hours a day, it costs:

• Around 25p per month
• Roughly £3 per year

That’s it.

Even if you ran 10 LED bulbs for 6 hours every day, you’d still only spend about £2.50 per month in total.

That’s less than a supermarket coffee.

If you want the maths behind it:

5W = 0.005 kW
0.005 × 6 hours × 30 days = 0.9 kWh
0.9 × 28p = 25p per month

LEDs are incredibly efficient. They use up to 90% less electricity than traditional bulbs and last for years.

Find out more about switching to LED bulbs.

What If You’re Using Old Bulbs?

If you’re still using 50W halogen or incandescent bulbs, it’s a different story.

Run a 50W bulb for 6 hours a day and it costs:

• About £2.50 per month
• Around £30 per year

Per bulb.

That’s roughly 10 times more than an LED.

The maths:

50W = 0.05 kW
0.05 × 6 hours × 30 days = 9 kWh
9 × 28p = £2.52 per month

If you’ve got several old bulbs around the house, that adds up quickly.

Switching to LED is one of the easiest guaranteed savings you can make.

How Much Does It Cost to Use Candles Instead?

Now for the part people are really curious about.

I checked typical bulk prices for basic unscented dinner candles.

A value pack might cost around £18 for 50 candles, each burning for roughly 7 hours.

That works out at about 36p per candle.

To match the same 180 hours of use (6 hours a day for 30 days), you would need:

180 ÷ 7 = 26 candles

26 candles × 36p = £9.36 per month

So compared to:

• LED: 25p per month
• Candle: £9.36 per month

Candles are more than 30 times more expensive than LED lighting.

And that’s using cheap bulk candles. Buy individual candles or nicer brands and the cost goes up fast.

Are Candles Cheaper Than Electricity?

No.

Not even close.

Even compared to old 50W bulbs, candles don’t come out cheaper over consistent use.

Compared to LED lighting, the difference is huge.

The only scenario where candles are cheaper is if:

• You get them completely free
• You’re melting down leftover wax at home
• You’re replacing extremely inefficient lighting

For most households, candles are the most expensive way to produce light.

What About the Heat From Candles?

This argument comes up a lot.

“Yes, but candles give off heat.”

They do — roughly 80 watts of heat energy.

But for context:

A small electric heater runs at 1,500–2,000 watts.

You’d need around 20–25 candles burning at once to match a small plug-in heater.

Burning 25 candles for an hour would cost about £1.30 (using the 36p/7hr estimate).

Running a 2kW electric heater for an hour costs around 55p.

So even as a heat source, candles are more than twice as expensive as electricity.

Safety and Air Quality

There’s another factor people ignore.

Candles mean open flames.

If you’ve got pets, children, cluttered surfaces, or you’re moving between rooms, that’s real fire risk.

Cheap paraffin candles can also release soot and indoor pollutants when burned regularly. If you’re lighting enough candles to replace proper lighting, your indoor air quality takes a hit too.

Saving money shouldn’t mean increasing risk.

Cheapest Light Bulbs to Run in the UK

If your goal is lowering your electricity bill, the answer is simple:

LED bulbs.

They:

• Use up to 90% less energy than old bulbs
• Last 10–15 years
• Cost pennies per month to run
• Are widely available for £1–£2 per bulb

If you still have halogen or incandescent bulbs in your home, that’s where your savings are.

Lighting itself isn’t the enemy — inefficient lighting is.

If you can, I recommend installing LED lights around the home as soon as possible. Your local DIY shop will have them or you can purchase packs of 10 for as little as £12 from Amazon.

Using Candles Instead of Lights: Is It Worth It?

For atmosphere? Absolutely.

For a cosy evening? Great.

For saving money? No.

If you’re serious about cutting bills, your effort is better spent on:

• Switching every bulb to LED
• Turning lights off when not needed
• Reducing heating waste
• Reviewing your tariff

Heating and appliances use far more electricity than lighting ever will.

Final Verdict: Candle vs Light Bulb

If you’re wondering “is it cheaper to use candles instead of electricity?”, the maths is clear.

LED lighting costs pennies.
Candles cost pounds.

It feels like a frugal hack — but modern technology wins.

Further reading

If you’re interested in finding out more about energy saving, take a look at

The best energy-saving devices

Is electricity cheaper at night?

How to reduce your heating bills by 40%

FAQs