Energy Calculator

One of the easiest ways to convince someone of propane’s benefits is showing them the cost and carbon emissions savings they’ll enjoy with this clean, low cost fuel.

We have just made that even easier: we’ve added a new calculator section with a  Heating Energy Cost and Carbon Calculators to help make informed energy decisions.

User Entry

Input the following data (if any parameter is missing, calculator will set to default value).Defaults
Type of Water Heater

Electric
Average Daily Usage (gallons per day)* 
  Gallons
64*
Energy Factor†

0.92 (electric)     0.61 (gas)
Energy Cost
 / 
$0.06 per kWh     $.60 per therm
Quantity of Water Heaters to be Purchased  
unit(s)
1 unit
* See assumptions for various daily water use totals.
† The comparison assumes a storage tank water heater as the input type. To allow demand water heaters as the comparison type, users can specify an input EF of up to 0.85; however, 0.66 is currently the best available EF for storage water heaters.

 

Calculated Results

Water Heater Performance Your Choice Base Model FEMP Level Best Available
New Energy Factor
Annual Energy Use
Annual Energy Costs
Lifetime Energy Costs
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings for
Water Heater(s)

Your selection of a Water Heater

Using Gallon(s) per day...

Will have a   Energy Cost Savings
(per single) water heater
*Over an estimated 13 year life expectancy

Compared to the Model

Assumptions

  • "Base model" has an efficiency that just meets the national minimum standard for gas and electric water heaters.
  • Lifetime energy cost is the sum of the discounted value of the annual energy costs based on assumed water heater life of 13 years.
  • Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.2% are based on Federal guidelines.
  • $0.09 per kWh for electricity is the Federal average price in the U.S.
  • $0.93 per therm for gas is the Federal average price in the U.S.
  • Hot water usage estimates:
  • Average shower (8 minutes) = 10 gallons of hot water
  • Average clothes washer (one load) = 7 gallons of hot water
  • Average dishwasher (one load) = 6 gallons of hot water
  • Average kitchen faucet flow = 2 gpm
  • Average bathroom faucet flow = 0.5 gpm
  • Average daily usage = 64 gallons of hot water.

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, the Federal Energy Management Program 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.