HVAC and refrigeration
Refrigeration operating energy cost
Calculate measured refrigeration electricity cost across operating schedules.
Your inputs
Complete the fields for your selected method. Zero means intentionally zero, not unknown. Currency selection labels amounts; it does not convert exchange rates.
How this calculation works
sum(kW segment*hours segment)*energy rate. Metered alternative: period cost = metered kWh × matching electricity price.
Use measured real electrical input kW, not volts × amps or shaft power. Hours describe time at that measured input. All rates are user supplied; no tariff lookup. An integrated kWh reading must not have duty cycle applied again. Segments must not overlap.
What information do I need?
Use records for the same job, equipment or accounting period. Only the fields for your selected entry method are required. An unknown amount is not zero.
Input definitions and where to find them
- How do you know the energy use?: Choose the information you actually have. Only the selected method is required.
- Measured operating segments: One row per distinct measured operating segments, on the stated row and period basis. Do not enter both components and their total. Used with: Measured input power and operating schedule.
- Measured real input (kW): Suitable meter reading of real electrical input at this operating state. Volts×amps is not a general AC real-power measurement.
- Segment hours in chosen period (hours): Logged hours at this state; nonoverlapping segments.
- Electricity price per kWh (selected currency): Matching energy/volumetric tariff or bill component for electricity price per kwh, excluding fixed charges or other charges not modeled.
- Energy for the same refrigeration equipment and period (kWh): Use an isolated record or clearly labeled estimate matching this field and period. Do not substitute an unrelated whole-site total. Used with: Metered or separately estimated kWh.
Use the Where to find this value controls beside the inputs for available work-it-out helpers. Estimates remain your assumptions; a helper does not verify the source figures.
Worked example
Example amounts use US dollars (USD).
Example answer: Period electricity cost is $45.00 for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- How do you know the energy use?: Measured input power and operating schedule
- Measured operating segments
- Measured real input: 2.00 kW
- Segment hours in chosen period: 100.00 hours
- Measured real input: 0.50 kW
- Segment hours in chosen period: 200.00 hours
- Electricity price per kWh: $0.15
- Period electricity cost
- $45.00
- Period energy
- 300.00 kWh
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Calculate measured refrigeration electricity cost across operating schedules.
Keep inputs on the same scope and time basis. Calculations retain precision internally; displayed values generally round to two decimal places, with extra precision for very small values and whole-unit rounding where required. Economic comparisons describe your supplied assumptions and do not guarantee future results.
This tool provides business arithmetic. It does not approve engineering designs, establish legal or tax treatment, select equipment or certify safe operating conditions.