Maximize Savings: LED Lights and Electric Cars Combined

Funny story: I bought a Tesla Model 3 to save on gas. $45,000 car to replace my $350/month gas habit.

Turns out, I was looking at the wrong expense.

My house’s electric bill was $240/month. My old lights (mostly halogens and incandescents) accounted for about $45 of that.

After LED conversion? Lighting cost dropped to $7/month. Savings: $38/month.

Now compare:

EV charging cost: About $45/month (1,000 miles at 4 miles/kWh × $0.15)
LED lighting savings: $38/month

Net new cost for “fueling” my car: $7/month.

I’m essentially driving an electric car for less than the cost of lighting my house the old way.

But wait, it gets better:

The LED conversion cost $220 total. The savings pay that back in 5.8 months.

So after month 6, I’m:

Saving $38/month on lighting

Saving $305/month on gas ($350 – $45 electricity)

Total monthly savings: $343

The LEDs effectively paid for my first 6 months of EV charging.

People think going green is expensive. They see the $45,000 car price tag. They don’t see:

The $220 LED investment that saves $456/year

The solar panels (after tax credit) that eliminate the $45 charging cost

The reduced maintenance (no oil changes, fewer brake jobs)

It’s all connected. Efficiency compounds.

My setup now:

LED lighting throughout: $7/month

Solar panels: $120/month loan (was $240 electric bill)

EV charging: $0 (solar covers it)

Total energy cost: $127/month

Before:

Lighting: $45/month

Electricity: $240/month

Gas: $350/month

Total: $635/month

Annual savings: $6,096

The LEDs were the gateway drug. They showed me the math. They proved small investments could yield big returns. They gave me the confidence to go bigger.

So yeah, I drive an electric car. But the real savings started with $2 lightbulbs.