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 Installation Replacement		new
Existing Efficiency * Full Load IPLV		kW/ton		—
Existing Capacity *		tons		—
New Chiller Type (by compressor type)		Scroll Recip Screw		screw
New Capacity		tons		100 tons
New Efficiency Full Load IPLV		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.