Case Studies

Energy Savings Calculator Case Studies

To illustrate how the Home Energy Savings Calculator works, we have created two case studies that are shared in the table below. In each case, we have selected inputs that might apply to a homeowner living in the Toronto area:

      • Home One – This home is smaller, a little newer and uses Natural gas as it’s primary fuel source for heating and hot water. There are only 2 occupants, so that reduces water usage. For this set of inputs, the calculator suggests that the homeowners can save more than $1,200/yr and that their FutureProofing investment of ~$6,000 will breakeven in ~5 years. You can view the recommendation summary here: Home One Case Study Results
      • Home Two – This larger, older home has 5 occupants and uses Heating Oil for space heating and hot water. It’s had a few upgrades but there is a lot of opportunity for improvement. The single largest opportunity is to convert the home to Natural Gas from Heating Oil for space heating and hot water. For Home Two, the calculator estimates the homeowners can save over $6,500/yr on an investment of ~$4,000 resulting in an impressive breakeven point of just over 1 year. You can view the recommendation summary here: Home Two Case Study Results

Home Energy Calculator Case Studies

Category

Input

Home One

Home Two
Location Province/City

Ontario, Toronto

Ontario, Toronto
Family & House Number of Occupants

2

5
Date Home Built

1946-1975

Before 1945
House Type

Detached, 2 or more storeys

Detached, 2 or more storeys
Heated area (square feet)

1,501-2,000

2,001-2,500
Upgraded Insulation

Attic or ceiling

Attic or ceiling and Basement walls
Windows

Single pane

Single Pane
Heating & Cooling Heating Fuel

Natural Gas

Heating Oil
Age of Heating Equipment

More than 20 years

More than 20 years
Programmable Thermostat

No

No
Central Air Conditioning, age

Yes – More than 15 years

No
Fuel to heat Hot Water

Natural Gas

Heating Oil
Age of Water Heating Equipment

More than 7 years old

More than 7 years old
Option to switch to Natural Gas

N/A

Yes
Appliances Lighting – % of energy efficient bulbs

None

None
Energy Star Appliances Have one each of refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and freezer – non are Energy Star Have one each of refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and freezer – non are Energy Star
Water Usage Number of Toilets/Low Flow 2 toilets 3 toilets
Number of Showers/Low Flow 2 showers, no low flow shower heads 3 showers, no low flow shower heads
Calculator Outputs Estimated Cost to FutureProof

$5,892

$4,283
~ Yearly Savings

$1,223

$6,524
~ Breakeven

5 years

1 years

Some Recommended Updates – Home One

House Upgrades

Cost to Upgrade

Yeary Savings

Payback Years
Replace all your incandescent bulbs with CFLs, LEDs, or energy efficient pot light bulbs $112

$187

1 year
Replace your showerheads with low flow showerheads $230

$185

2 years
Install and program a programmable thermostat

$50

$30

2 years
Upgrade to ENERGY STAR Clothes washer

$1,000

$218

5 years
Replace your toilets with low flush toilets

$400

$83

5 years
Combine your furnace and hot water tank by installing a combination system using a high efficiency condensing water tank or tankless water heater

$4,100

$520

8 years
Totals

$5,892

$1,223

5 years

Some Recommended Updates – Home Two

House Upgrades

Cost to Upgrade

Yeary Savings

Payback Years
Replace all your incandescent bulbs with CFLs, LEDs, or energy efficient pot light bulbs $133

$224

1 year
Install and program a programmable thermostat

$50

$118

1 year
Combine your furnace and hot water tank by installing a combination system using a high efficiency condensing water tank or tankless water heater

$4,100

$6,797

1 year
Totals

$4,283

$7,139

1 year