Energy & ROI · Total cost of ownership

What Is Your HVAC System Really Costing You?

Compare two HVAC systems on more than purchase price. Enter your own numbers to estimate energy use, operating cost, payback and more. These are estimates, based only on what you enter.

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Total cost of ownership

Don’t choose an HVAC system only by its purchase price.

Understand what it will cost to own. Energy consumption, operating cost, efficiency, equipment technology and the years you expect to own the system all shape the long-term cost. Efficiency also affects environmental impact and how much solar / PV capacity a property may need.

Initial investment

Equipment, ductwork and installation.

Energy cost

Electricity used to cool, heat and move air.

Long-term operating cost

Maintenance, service and the years you expect to own the system.

Estimated payback

How long efficiency gains may take to offset a higher initial investment, estimated case by case.

Calculator

Compare two systems side by side.

System A is your current or baseline system. System B is the option you want to compare. The fields start with illustrative values that you can change, then press Calculate. Everything runs in your browser.

Your property and usage

Cooling capacity (tons)

Starting value: a 5-ton system. Nominal size of the system; ask us if you are unsure.

Equivalent full-load cooling hours per year (hours)

Starting value: 3,500 hours per year, an illustrative example for Florida, not a published statistic. Actual hours depend on your climate, building and how the system is used. The estimate treats these as full-capacity hours, which is a simplification: if your system often runs at part-load, use fewer hours.

Electricity rate ($ per kWh)

Starting value: $0.16 per kWh. Use the rate from your own utility bill.

Yearly electricity price change (%, optional)

Starting value: 5.5% per year (Orlando). Clear the field for no change.

Annual solar production per installed kW (kWh per kW per year, optional)

Starting value: 1,570 kWh per kW per year (Orlando). Use the figure from your solar proposal if you have one. It estimates the PV capacity linked to HVAC energy.

Emissions factor (kg CO2 per kWh, optional)

Starting value: 0.384 kg CO2 per kWh. Use your utility’s figure or a source you trust. It estimates carbon.

System A: current or baseline

Efficiency rating (SEER or SEER2)

Starting value: 14.3 SEER2 (standard efficiency). Use the same type of rating for both systems; it is on the equipment label or spec sheet.

Installed cost ($)

Starting value: $7,000, an example price from AC Solution USA for a standard-efficiency 5-ton system, not a universal HVAC price. Use 0 if it is already installed, or your own quote.

Annual maintenance ($ per year, optional)

Optional.

System B: option to compare

Efficiency rating (SEER or SEER2)

Starting value: 17.5 SEER2 (higher efficiency). Use the same type of rating for both systems.

Installed cost ($)

Starting value: $10,000, an example price from AC Solution USA for a higher-efficiency 5-ton system, not a universal HVAC price. Use your own quote if you have one.

Annual maintenance ($ per year, optional)

Optional.

The fields start with illustrative example values: a 5-ton system, 3,500 hours per year, $0.16 per kWh, a 5.5% yearly electricity price change, 1,570 kWh per kW of solar per year and 0.384 kg CO2 per kWh, with example AC Solution USA pricing of $7,000 for a standard 14.3 SEER2 system and $10,000 for a higher-efficiency 17.5 SEER2 system. None of these are universal HVAC statistics or prices, and actual cost depends on the home, ductwork and scope of work. These are starting points, not a quote. Replace any of them with your own numbers.

How the estimate works

Simple, transparent and clearly an estimate.

Annual energy use is estimated from the cooling capacity, the equivalent full-load hours, and the efficiency rating: capacity in tons, times 12,000 BTU per hour per ton, times hours, divided by the rating and by 1,000.

Cost is that energy multiplied by your electricity rate, with your optional yearly price change. Five- and ten-year totals add the installed cost, the energy cost and any maintenance you enter. Payback looks for the year in which System B’s operating difference covers its extra up-front cost, and reports when that does not happen within 30 years.

Carbon and solar / PV figures use the emissions factor and the solar production figure in the fields. The starting values are illustrative Orlando figures; change them, or clear a field to leave that result out.

What it does not include Real-world part-load behavior beyond the rating, equipment aging, demand charges, incentives and rebates, financing, taxes, and installation and maintenance conditions. Results depend on property characteristics, equipment, electricity rates, climate, usage, maintenance and installation. Savings are never guaranteed, and this is not a quote or a proposal.

Questions

Energy & ROI: common questions.

What does total cost of ownership include?

The initial investment, the energy the system uses, and long-term operating cost such as maintenance, over the years you expect to own it. Efficiency can also affect environmental impact and how much solar / PV capacity a property may need.

How accurate is the estimate?

It is only as good as the numbers you enter. It uses a simplified calculation from the efficiency rating, capacity, hours of use and electricity rate. Real energy use also depends on the climate, the building, how the system is installed, maintained and operated, and on how equipment performs at part-load.

Where do I find the efficiency rating?

It is usually on the equipment label or in the manufacturer’s specification sheet, as SEER or SEER2. Use the same type for both systems. We are happy to help you find it.

Does a higher efficiency rating always pay back?

No. Whether extra up-front cost is recovered depends on your hours of use, your electricity rate, how long you own the system and other factors. The calculator can show that no payback is estimated under your inputs.

Does this include solar / PV, incentives or financing?

Solar is only used to show how much PV capacity the HVAC electricity is linked to, if you enter a solar production figure. Incentives, rebates, financing, taxes and demand charges are not included.

Is my information saved or sent to you?

No. The calculation runs in your browser and your numbers are not sent anywhere. They are added to the contact message only if you choose to discuss them with us and send the form.

Can you give me a quote?

This tool is for understanding, not for quoting. If you would like to talk about a specific system or project, use the form on this page.

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Contact

Let’s talk about your numbers.

AC Solution USA · Lake Nona / Orlando, Florida. Serving Orlando & Central Florida. Tell us about the system you are considering and we will follow up.

Call (689) 256-9939 Call Text (689) 256-9939 Text contact@acsolutionusa.com Email

Languages: English • Português • Español
Lake Nona Meeting Location: 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Suite 400
Orlando, FL 32827
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What Is Your HVAC System Really Costing You?

Don’t choose an HVAC system only by its purchase price.

Initial investment

Energy cost

Long-term operating cost

Estimated payback

Compare two systems side by side.

Simple, transparent and clearly an estimate.

Energy & ROI: common questions.

Related pages

Let’s talk about your numbers.

How can we help?