Free energy tools

Compare appliance purchase and electricity costs

Compare the purchase price and running cost of two appliances over the same period.

Compare two options

Option B costs less

$5.52

over 3 years of ownership

Option A · total$664.72

Option B · total$659.20

A · annual electricity$138.24

B · annual electricity$86.40

The extra purchase cost is recovered in about 2.89 years at this usage.

Example prices and power values describe hypothetical appliances, not tested products. Costs exclude installation, maintenance, financing and resale.

Put the estimate to work

Your next useful step

Treat the result as one part of the decision. Fit, comfort, maintenance and product life can change which option suits you.

Check an equal comparison

Both options should meet the same need. Keep capacity, installation and operating assumptions comparable.

Compare more than the price tag

Check replacement payback

A lower running cost does not automatically justify replacing a working appliance. Consider how long you expect to keep it.

Understand the replacement decision

Consider a smaller change

If afternoon sun is the problem, examine existing window coverings before choosing more cooling equipment.

Compare window-covering options

These guides explain options; no purchase is required to use your estimate.

Compare equivalent jobs

In annual-energy mode, each annual electricity cost is kWh/year × your rate. The hours, days and months fields are not used. Preserve the label’s operating assumptions when comparing standardized annual figures; changing the tariff does not change the test schedule.

Use two appliances that can meet the same room’s needs. A lower-power model that cannot do the job is not an equivalent alternative. Enter measured average consumption under similar conditions where possible.

Purchase + electricity = purchase price + (annual running cost × years)
Break-even years = extra purchase cost ÷ annual energy savings

Prices and use remain constant in this model. Break-even is shown only when the higher purchase price comes with lower running costs; it does not predict product lifespan.

Read our calculation methodology