LED Lighting Upgrade Payback in Orange
The Numbers for Orange
At current Orange electricity prices (approximately $0.35/kWh for typical residential tariffs), a single 50W halogen downlight running 4 hours per day costs roughly $26 per year. A 7W LED equivalent costs roughly $3.65 per year — a saving of $22.35 per fitting per year.
Installation cost to swap a halogen fitting to LED (including transformer bypass if needed): $50–$80 per fitting. Payback period: 2–4 years per fitting. After that, the saving is pure benefit for the 15–25 year LED lifespan.
Which Lights to Upgrade First
Prioritise lights that run the longest — kitchen, living room, and hallway lighting that's on for hours every evening. Bedroom lighting that's on for shorter periods has a longer payback but still worthwhile. Outdoor security lighting on motion sensors already uses minimal power — lower priority.
For homes in Bowen and Calare with a full complement of halogen downlights (15–25 fittings), a full LED conversion typically pays back within 2–3 years and saves $300–$700 per year ongoing.
Written by the team at Orange Electrical — licensed electricians serving Orange and the Central West.