Appliance Upgrade Calculator | The Greener Electron

See whether an efficient appliance is worth the extra cost. Pick an appliance and compare the annual electricity use and purchase price of two new models. The estimate shows yearly energy-bill savings, simple payback on the price premium, and net savings over the appliance’s life. Every assumption is visible and editable.

Your appliance

Appliance type Changing this refills the example comparison values below, unless you already edited them by hand. Basic new model: annual electricity use (kWh) Use a comparable basic new model, not the appliance you currently own. Compare EnergyGuide labels for similar size and use. Efficient new model: annual electricity use (kWh) Example starting value. Compare EnergyGuide labels for similar new models. Price premium of the efficient model ($) How much more the efficient new model costs than the basic new model. This compares buying options and excludes the timing or cost of replacing a working appliance early.

Assumptions (tap to view and edit)

Electricity price ($ per kWh) Find this on your electric bill. US average is around $0.17 per kWh. Appliance lifetime (years) Used for the net savings figure. Typical: 10 to 15 years for most major appliances.

The example kWh figures are starting points, not measurements. This calculator compares two new models at purchase; it does not model early replacement of a working appliance. Use EnergyGuide labels for comparable models.

Your estimate

$0Basic new model cost per year

$0Efficient new model cost per year

$0Saved per year

–Payback on price premium

$0Net savings over appliance life

Payback point12 year appliance life

Before you decide

These are illustrative examples, not meter readings. Real use varies with household size, settings, and climate. The yellow EnergyGuide label on each model you compare is the honest source.
Washer savings here exclude hot water. Efficient washers also cut hot water use, so real dollar savings are often larger than shown.
Early replacement is not modeled. This compares two new models at purchase and excludes the energy savings, timing, and cost of replacing a working appliance early.
Installation and delivery are not included. Those costs land on both sides, so they usually do not change which model wins.
Rates and usage vary. Treat this as an estimate, not a promise.