LED vs. Incandescent Pool Lights
The transition from incandescent to LED pool lighting parallels the same transition in residential lighting generally, but the benefits are amplified in pool applications. Incandescent pool bulbs typically consume 300–500 watts and last 1,000 to 3,000 hours — roughly two to four seasons of average use. LED pool lights consume 30–70 watts for equivalent lumen output and carry rated lifespans of 30,000 to 50,000 hours. For a pool light running three hours per evening over a six-month season, this translates to decades of service without a bulb change.
The energy savings are equally significant. Replacing two 500-watt incandescent fixtures with 50-watt LED equivalents reduces pool lighting energy consumption by 900 watts. At $0.25 per kWh (a typical Massachusetts residential rate), running those lights for three hours per evening over a 22-week season saves approximately $100 per year. For pools with multiple fixtures or extended evening use, the savings are proportionally larger.