Turn smart controls into measurable monthly energy savings. See costs, rebates, and results clearly now. Make upgrades confidently with payback, ROI, and NPV estimates.
| Upgrade | Typical Upfront Cost | Estimated Annual Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart thermostat | $150–$300 | $80–$200 | Schedules HVAC and reduces setbacks. |
| Smart lighting | $80–$250 | $30–$120 | Dimming, occupancy, and daylight controls. |
| Smart plugs & power strips | $40–$150 | $15–$70 | Cuts standby loads and idle draw. |
| Appliance scheduling | $0–$150 | $10–$60 | Shifts usage to cheaper hours. |
This model starts with annual electricity and gas spending from bill averages. Example: 900 kWh/month at 0.16 per kWh equals 1,728 yearly. Add 50 therms/month at 1.20 per therm for 720 yearly. The combined baseline is 2,448 before upgrades, or about 204 per month. Standby savings are direct kWh cuts; saving 15 kWh/month at 0.16 adds about 28.80 yearly.
Rather than guessing one blanket percentage, costs are allocated by shares such as HVAC 40%, lighting 15%, plug loads 15%, and appliances 30%. If shares total 110 or 85, they are normalized so results stay consistent (each share is divided by the share sum). HVAC shares often rise above 50% in hot or cold regions.
Category savings apply as weighted reductions, then a time-of-use bonus can be added on electricity. HVAC savings 10% and lighting savings 35% can outperform appliance savings 5% because lighting controls reduce runtime daily. A 2% time-of-use bonus on the electric bill adds value by shifting loads to cheaper hours or demand-response events. Plug-load automation at 8% plus standby control trims idle use.
Upfront cost equals devices plus installation, reduced by rebates and optional tax credits. Example: 450 devices plus 120 install minus 100 rebates yields 470 net. If net annual savings are 210 after a 60 subscription, simple payback is 2.24 years. Over a 10-year horizon, total net savings is the sum of escalating annual savings minus net upfront cost, and ROI compares that total to the upfront amount.
Net present value discounts future savings using a chosen rate, while escalation increases savings over time. With a 6% discount rate and 3% escalation, later-year savings matter but are worth less today. A positive NPV indicates the upgrades beat the discount-rate hurdle under your assumptions. Use the chart to compare annual savings and cumulative cash flow, then export CSV or PDF for documentation.
Monthly kWh, electricity rate, and HVAC savings usually drive the largest change. Incentives reduce upfront cost, while the annual subscription can materially lower net savings, especially on small projects.
The calculator automatically normalizes them. Each share is divided by the total of all shares, so the weighted savings rate remains consistent even if you enter rough percentages.
Yes. Baseline cost combines both fuels. Category savings are applied to total energy cost, while the time‑of‑use bonus and standby reductions apply only to the electricity portion.
Set annual subscription/maintenance to 0. Your net annual savings will then equal gross savings, and payback, ROI, and NPV will reflect a one‑time investment without recurring costs.
Payback ignores the time value of money. NPV discounts future net savings and can include escalation, so it better compares today’s upfront cost to the present value of multi‑year benefits.
No. Gross savings are capped at your baseline annual energy cost. This prevents unrealistic outputs when combined savings percentages and standby reductions exceed actual consumption.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.