Sample Savings Calculation

A small commercial store was remodeled in the early 1980s.  The lighting in the store  has not changed much since the store was remodeled.  A Business Energy Services Team representative visited the store and performed a facility assessment to identify cost-effective energy savings opportunities. The proposed retrofits are summarized in the table below:

                 

Qty

Existing Fixture Description

Wattage per fixture

Replacement Fixture Description

Wattage per fixture

Cost

Savings (kW)

Savings per year (kWh)*

15

65 W Incandescent

65

13 W Screw-in CFL

13

$105.00

0.78

2,340

10

2 lamp -4’ 34W T12 with std ballast

84

2 lamp -4’ 32W T8 with low power ballast

58

$375.60

0.26

780

2

4 lamp -4’ 34W T12 with 2 std ballasts

168

4 lamp -4’ 32W T8 with low power ballast

98

$97.14

0.14

420

TOTAL:

$577.74

1.18

3,540

                                                        *Assumes the store hours (and the lighting operating hours) are 3,000 hours per year. 

 

The following table summarizes the outcome of the project above. The total rebates are $436, which is 75% of the project cost. The payback period is 0.27 years. In other words, it would take a little over 3 months to payback the cost of the project after taking into account the dollar savings (on energy bills) and rebate amount.

 

Total Peak kW Reduced

1.18

Total Project Cost

$577.74

Total Annual kWh Savings

3,540

Total Rebates

$436

Total Annual Therm Savings

0

Total Customer Payment

$141.74

Total Annual Dollar Savings*

$531

Payback Period (in years)

0.27

         *Assumes that the electricity rate is $0.15/kWh.

 

Where,

Total Peak kW Reduced = Percent on peak X kW Savings per line item (Percent on peak is 100% in this example – lights are on during business hours)

kW Savings = # of fixtures X (Existing wattage – Retrofitted wattage)

Total Annual kWh Savings (for lighting only) = kW Savings * operating hours

Total Annual Dollar Savings = kWh savings per year X electricity rate

Total Customer Payment = Total Project Cost – Total Rebates

Payback Period = (Project Cost – Rebate Amount) / Total kWh cost savings, # of years it will take to payback the cost of the project

 

The Total Annual Dollar Savings are based on electricity/gas rates. These rates can vary based on the business’ electricity/gas rate plan. In the following table, we indicate the rates for the various rate plans available to eligible customers.