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MICRO CHP
MICRO CHP
the big picture
By Jeremy Harrison
Photo book

 IS MICRO CHP WORTH THE MONEY?

Many people interested in micro CHP are unsure whether it is economically worthwhile to install such a system.  This simple calculator is intended as a tool for you to calculate your potential energy savings, based on your current fuel bills.  From this you can work out how long it will take to pay back the investment in micro CHP.

Please note that this spreadsheet is provided only for you to undertake an estimate and that each home and household is different.  You should satisfy yourself that the result is reasonable.  You will not be asked for your personal details.  If you want more information on the product you have selected, please contact the manufacturer (or other supplier) via the links on the products page.

Download the MS Excel spreadsheet and then enter your details to work out how much you can save.

Clicking on the "calculator" button will take you to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.  You need to have MS Excel installed to run this calculation.

CALCULATOR

This calculation assumes that you are considering replacing your boiler (which has reached the end of its useful life) with either a micro CHP unit or a new 88% efficient condensing gas boiler.  It is based on replacing the boiler with a WhisperGen micro CHP unit; other products may be evaluated if you know the respective heat and power outputs.  You will need to know your gas and electricity costs for a complete year, which you can obtain from your annual energy bills.

Simplified Example

An example of a simplified calculation is shown below for illustration only.  It assumes that the system is installed in parallel with the existing power supply and that surplus generation is exported to the grid and any shortfall in requirements is imported from the grid.  It is based on the WhisperGen (1.0kWe/7kWt) micro CHP unit in a family home with annual heat demand of 28,000 kWh, all of which is met from the engine (not the auxiliary burner).

It is based on a residential installation in the UK eligible for FiT (Feed in Tariff) payments.  Other financial incentives including tax relief, grants and subsidies are available in other regions.

Annual heat demand 28,000 kWh
Running hours 4,000 hours
Electricity generated 4,000 kWh
Own use of generation 67 %
Unit cost of avoided import 15 p/kWh
Value of avoided import 400 £
Unit value of export 5.4 p/kWh
Value of export 72  £
Value of FIT (UK only) 500 £
Total value of generation 972 £
Additional gas consumed (compared with new condensing boiler) 4,000 kWh
Cost of additional gas consumed @4.5p/kWh 180 £
Net saving = £972-180 792 £
Marginal cost of unit 5000 £
Simple payback 6.3 years
Page updated 9th March 2015      

 

MICRO CHP
MICRO CHP
the big picture
By Jeremy Harrison
Photo book

 

 

Contact : info@microchap.info

Disclaimer:  Information is provided for general information only and no endorsement or recommendation of any company or product should be inferred.  None of the companies mentioned in the main text are direct sponsors of the site; inclusion of sponsored links does not imply endorsement or relevance.  Please note that the views expressed on this site are  entirely my own and do not represent the official position of my current or previous employers. 

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This site was last updated on 12th August 2017 © Jeremy Harrison