Enter all but one of the power consumption, number of hours the HVAC system operates per day, cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity, number of days the HVAC system operates per month, and number of months the HVAC system operates per year into the calculator to determine the HVAC operating cost; this calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.

Hvac Operating Cost Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the HVAC operating cost:

C = (P * H * C_{text{rate}} * D * M) / 1000

Variables:

  • C is the HVAC operating cost
  • P is the power consumption of the HVAC system in kilowatts (kW)
  • H is the number of hours the HVAC system operates per day
  • C_{text{rate}} is the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity
  • D is the number of days the HVAC system operates per month
  • M is the number of months the HVAC system operates per year

To calculate the HVAC operating cost, multiply the power consumption of the HVAC system by the number of hours it operates per day, the cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity, the number of days it operates per month, and the number of months it operates per year. Divide the result by 1000 to convert it to kilowatt-hours.

What is an Hvac Operating Cost?

HVAC operating cost refers to the total amount of money spent on running and maintaining a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. This cost includes the energy consumption of the system, which is determined by factors such as the efficiency of the system, the size of the building, the climate, and the set temperature. It also includes the cost of regular maintenance, such as cleaning and replacing parts, to keep the system running efficiently. Additionally, it includes the cost of any necessary repairs or replacements. The operating cost can vary greatly depending on the type and age of the system, the specific usage patterns, and the cost of energy in the area. Therefore, when choosing an HVAC system, it’s important to consider not just the initial purchase price, but also the estimated operating cost over the system’s lifespan.

How to Calculate Hvac Operating Cost?

The following steps outline how to calculate the HVAC Operating Cost.


  1. First, determine the total energy consumption (kWh) of the HVAC system.
  2. Next, determine the cost per unit of energy ($/kWh).
  3. Next, multiply the total energy consumption by the cost per unit of energy to calculate the total energy cost ($).
  4. Finally, calculate the HVAC Operating Cost by adding any additional maintenance or repair costs to the total energy cost.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Total energy consumption (kWh) = 500

Cost per unit of energy ($/kWh) = 0.12

Additional maintenance or repair costs ($) = 50