Energy Efficiency Retrofit ROI Calculator

Title": "Energy Efficiency Retrofit ROI Calculator", "IntroductionHtml": "

Purpose: Quickly capture the inputs needed to estimate annual energy savings, simple payback, and net installed cost for a kitchen equipment or building retrofit. Use the form to save and compare multiple retrofit options. Below the form you’ll find the calculation formulas and a worked example you can copy or adapt.

How the math works (quick reference)

• Annual energy use per unit (kWh) = (power_watts / 1000) × hours_per_day × days_per_year
• Annual energy cost per unit ($) = annual_energy_kwh × electricity_cost_per_kWh
• Annual savings per unit ($) = ((current_power_watts - proposed_power_watts) / 1000) × hours_per_day × days_per_year × electricity_cost_per_kWh
• Total annual savings ($) = annual_savings_per_unit × quantity
• Net installed cost ($) = estimated_retrofit_capex - local_incentives
• Simple payback (years) = net_installed_cost / total_annual_savings

Worked example

Scenario: LED lighting retrofit, 60 fixtures. Current fixture = 80 W, Proposed LED = 25 W. Hours = 10/day, Days = 365, Electricity = $0.14/kWh. Installed cost = $7,500. Incentives = $1,200.

1. Annual energy use per fixture = (80 / 1000) × 10 × 365 = 292 kWh
2. Annual energy use per LED fixture = (25 / 1000) × 10 × 365 = 91.25 kWh
3. Annual savings per fixture = (292 - 91.25) kWh × $0.14 = 200.75 × 0.14 = $28.11
4. Total annual savings = $28.11 × 60 = $1,686.60
5. Net installed cost = $7,500 - $1,200 = $6,300
6. Simple payback = $6,300 / $1,686.60 ≈ 3.7 years

Tip: Submit one form entry per retrofit type or project so you can compare payback, lifetime savings, and incentives side-by-side later.

", "DataType": "energy_efficiency_roi", "SchemaVersion": "1.0", "SubmitLabel": "Save estimate", "SuccessMessage": "Thank you — your estimate has been saved. Use the formulas and worked example above to compute results manually, or request an automated calculation agent (see notes). Saved entries can be used to compare options, create a retrofit bundle, or build a site dashboard.", "Fields": [ { "Key": "retrofit_option", "Type": "select", "Label": "Retrofit option", "HelpText": "Choose the retrofit you are evaluating. Submit separate entries for different equipment types or locations.", "Options": [ { "Value": "led_lighting", "Label": "LED lighting" }, { "Value": "hvac", "Label": "High-efficiency HVAC" }, { "Value": "refrigeration", "Label": "Energy-efficient refrigeration" }, { "Value": "cooking_equipment", "Label": "High-efficiency cooking equipment" }, { "Value": "dishwasher", "Label": "Efficient dishwashing/heat recovery" }, { "Value": "controls", "Label": "Controls/thermostats/automation" }, { "Value": "other", "Label": "Other" } ] }, { "Key": "equipment_description", "Type": "text", "Label": "Equipment or area description", "HelpText": "e.g., 'Kitchen LED retrofit — 60 fixtures'", "Required": true }, { "Key": "quantity", "Type": "number", "Label": "Quantity (units/fixtures)", "HelpText": "Number of fixtures, units, or identical pieces of equipment. Use 1 for whole-system entries.", "Required": true, "Default": 1 }, { "Key": "current_power_watts", "Type": "number", "Label": "Current average power per unit (W)", "HelpText": "Rated wattage per existing fixture or average connected watts per unit.", "Required": true }, { "Key": "proposed_power_watts", "Type": "number", "Label": "Proposed power per unit after retrofit (W)", "HelpText": "Estimated wattage per unit after retrofit (e.g., LED wattage). For system-level entries, use total expected connected watts.", "Required": true }, { "Key": "hours_per_day", "Type": "number", "Label": "Average hours of operation per day", "HelpText": "Typical daily operating hours for this equipment.", "Required": true, "Default": 10 }, { "Key": "days_per_year", "Type": "number", "Label": "Days per year in use", "HelpText": "Use 365 for continuous equipment or number of open days per year.", "Required": true, "Default": 365 }, { "Key": "electricity_cost_per_kwh", "Type": "number", "Label": "Electricity cost ($ per kWh)", "HelpText": "Your billed average electricity rate. Include demand or delivery cost components if you want more accurate ROI.", "Required": true, "Default": 0.14 }, { "Key": "estimated_retrofit_capex", "Type": "number", "Label": "Estimated installed retrofit cost ($)", "HelpText": "Total installed cost including materials, labor, and controls. For projects with multiple equipment types, enter the installed cost for this line item.", "Required": true }, { "Key": "local_incentives", "Type": "number", "Label": "Estimated incentives / rebates ($)", "HelpText": "Sum of any rebates, utility incentives, tax credits expected to offset installed cost. Enter 0 if none.", "Required": true, "Default": 0 }, { "Key": "expected_lifetime_years", "Type": "number", "Label": "Expected useful life of retrofit (years)", "HelpText": "Typical lifetime for the technology (e.g., LEDs often 10+ years). Used for simple lifecycle comparisons.", "Required": true, "Default": 10 }, { "Key": "notes", "Type": "textarea", "Label": "Notes and assumptions", "HelpText": "Record vendor quotes, assumptions about hours, controls, or any other details to preserve context." } ] }