You can figure out exactly how much it will cost to run.

200 W * 16 hours * 30 days / 1000 = 96 kWh per month

I don't know what you pay for electricity, but the average electrical cost is around 12¢ per kWh, which would add another $11.52 to your monthly bill.

That's not as bad as I expected. I am also running an Aerogarden at aprox. $6 per month and a pump for the hydro. We just got our bill yesterday and it was much lower than I expected.

Thanks for your help!

Mars

I'm guessing these are actually 200w equiv. For instance, the pack of 60w equiv bulbs in front of me each use an actual 14w. This had obvious impact on those numbers. Just a hunch. =)

stereotype I think your hunch is wrong. Hydrofarm sells a 200w compact fluorescent. I just can't believe anyone would spend that kind of money on a bulb. I'm curious as to the lumen output. I've got 6 double bulb 4' T12 fixtures and bulbs that cost less than the price of the bulb alone.

Here is a link that might be useful: 200w CFL

1000bulbs.com sells them for half that cost ( !$53.00). The bulbs are rated at 10,000 lumens.

Mike

Well I know where I will buy my replacement bulbs now thanks to Wordwiz (great name, BTW).

So far I am happy with my light choice. It is much cooler than my old 250W HPS, and I find the hue of the light to be much more pleasing . We called the HPS the "streetlight."