Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Federal Energy Management Program
 
About the ProgramProgram AreasLaws and RegulationsInformation ResourcesFinancing MechanismsTechnologiesServicesHome

Energy Cost Calculator for Air-Cooled Electric Chillers


Vary equipment size, energy cost, hours of operation, and /or efficiency level.
INPUT SECTION
Input the following data (if any parameter is missing, calculator will set it to the default value). Defaults
Chiller Project Type    new
Existing Efficiency *     kW/ton —
Existing Capacity *    tons —
New Chiller Type (by compressor type)    screw
New Capacity    tons 100 tons
New Efficiency    kW/ton 1.23 kW/ton at Full Load
Energy Cost $ per kWh $0.06 per kWh
Quantity of Chillers to be Purchased    unit(s) 1 unit
Annual Hours of Operation**    hours 2000 hours
* Existing values should only be entered when Project Type is a replacement.
** Value entered should be equivalent full load hours (e.g., 1000 hours @ 50% load equals 500 hours.)
OUTPUT SECTION
Air-Cooled Chiller
Performance		 Your
New Chiller		 Existing
Chiller		 Base
Model		 FEMP
Recommended
Level		 Best
Available
Efficiency     kW/ton              
Annual Energy Use     kWh               
Annual Energy Cost $  $  $  $  $ 
Lifetime Energy Cost $  $  $  $  $ 
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings $  $  $  $  $ 
Lifetime Energy Cost
Savings for
Chiller(s)		 $  $  $  $  $ 

Your selection of a ton chiller unit will have a $ energy cost savings per chiller (over its estimated 23 year life expectancy compared to the base model).
Assumptions
  • "Base model" has an efficiency that just meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1.
  • Calculator assumes user is entering efficiency ratings based on ARI's 1998 Standard 550/590.
  • Lifetime energy cost is the sum of the discounted value of the annual energy cost based on assumed chiller life of 23 years.
  • Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.2% are based on Federal guidelines.
  • $0.06 for electricity is the Federal average price in the U.S.
Disclaimer
This cost calculator is a screening tool that estimates a product's lifetime energy cost savings at various efficiency levels. Maintenance and installation costs do not vary significantly among the same product having different efficiencies; so, these costs are not included in this calculator tool. For a detailed life-cycle cost analysis, FEMP has developed a tool called Building Life-Cycle Cost (BLCC). This downloadable tool allows the user to vary interest rates, installation costs, maintenance costs, salvage values, and life expectancy for a product or an entire energy project.