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Using

Using EnCalcE

Version: 5.1 Size: 468KB Released: 13-December-2011

General
EnCalcE can be used in several ways. It can be used to work out the running cost or total cost of a single item or it can be used to compare two items under the same or different conditions per day, per quarter and over the payback period, optionally this can include annual inflation. It will also show the amount of CO2 generated and saved over the payback period. See the log file and screen shot for examples of use.

Hovering over the various data boxes with the mouse will show the Tool Tips which give information as to what the box is for and what the data limits are if it is for data entry. Entering invalid data will cause an error message to be displayed explaining what data is wrong when the Calculate button is clicked. These errors must be resolved before the calculate function will work. Use the tab key to move sequentially between data boxes or the mouse pointer to select individual boxes. See Data Limits for the limits used by the program. If the savings are negative the savings results are shown in orange.

Hours of use are split between normal rate and cheap rate with separate data boxes for on time and standby time. At least one of these boxes must have an entry and the total of all four must be no greater than 24 hours. The total of cheap rate hours must be no more than 8 hours.

Where an item also uses power on standby the % of the cost due to standby is also displayed (this is a comparison excluding purchase price). If an item does not have a standby power enter 0 in the standby power box (or leave it empty). To compare just the running cost of an item without taking into account purchase price set Cost to 0 (or leave it empty). The number of times an item needs replacing will only be calculated if the life is set. To include the purchase price in the calculation both the cost and life must be set. The program will work with data in either or both of Item 1 and Item 2. The Notes box is used to record information about the calculation when data is saved to the log file. Negative numbers are highlighted in orange.

To enable comparisons with solar powered devices item 2 wattage can be left blank or set to zero with just the cost and life being set for item 2.

For real examples of using the program look at the log file and to see how the results are calculated click on formulae.

Continuous Standby
Continuous standby allows for any standby power that is constant, for example the power used by a time switch or light sensitive switch controlling a group of lights which when on are switched by PIR detectors. The time switch being used to reduce the standby current of the PIR detectors.

Currency & Date Format
This is defined by the settings in the computer Regional Options which can be accessed via the Control Panel. The currency symbol reflects the settings in the Currency Tab. The date format in the log file reflects the Short Date format setting in the Date Tab. The currency or date settings can be changed with the program running. Currency changes will be reflected next time Calculate. Reset Feds or Clear are clicked. Date format changes will be effective for the next new calculation. Entering a different currency symbol to that selected in the Regional Options Currency Tab will be treated as an error.

Electricity Data
The cost of electricity, annual inflation, payback period, CO2 conversion factor plus whether the program runs on top and how save works can be saved as default values by clicking on the Save Defaults button. The Reset Defaults button can be used to restore the saved defaults.

Electricity Prices
Some electricity companies charge electricity at two different rates over a given period during the day. The lowest one is usually for usage over a given number of KW Hours. Use the lowest one provided electricity usage is over the threshold for triggering this rate. To save entering the correct electricity prices every time the program is used the Save Defaults button can be used. The VAT for electricity prices can be added separately as a percentage. VAT is not added on to the Item Cost which should include any VAT.

Function Keys
Each button on the various screens can also be operated from the keyboard by pressing the <Alt> key and letter combination shown below:

Inflation
To remove annual inflation from any calculation set the inflation figure to 0 (or blank). Inflation is added for each complete year over the payback period set starting at the end of year one which means no allowance is made for part years in the payback period and no inflation is added unless the payback period is at least 1 year. Inflation only applies to the electricity used costs and not the item cost. If inflation is greater than zero and the payback period is at least one year all electricity use costs calculated reflect the cost at the end of the payback period except for the cost over the payback period which is a true cost including inflation.

Logging
The log file can be used to capture the results of calculations. Each entry is date and time stamped. Any internal program errors will also be written to the log file if possible. A start up message is written to the log file each time the program is started which includes the program version. By clicking on the Archive button the results log file can be saved and a new one created. See Log File for details of the location and naming of archived results files.

Keep 1 Function
The Keep 1 function enables a calculation to be saved (item 1 only) and the operating hours changed for a second calculation (item 2 only) to enable comparisons using different operating hours. The function is enabled the first time a calculation is made and is disabled if clear is clicked or Keep 1 is clicked again. When enabled the operating hours field backgrounds turn light green and the electricity data fields are disabled. The hours from the previous calculation are retained for item 1 only whereas item 2 will use the operating hours currently displayed. The results log shows details of the hours used for both calculations. The Total Hours On and Total Hours Standby always reflect the latest calculation on screen.

Replacement Number
Where the life of an item is specified the program will calculate how many times it will need to be replaced during the payback period and include this cost in the calculation. The number of replacements includes the original item so will never be less than one (no replacements).

Units
The units check box changes the units displayed for CO2. Unchecked gives Kilograms and checked gives pounds. Changing this check box does not change the conversion factors used for calculating CO2 which must be changed manually if the units are changed.

Update Check
Clicking on the Update button on the main screen connects EnCalcE to the JSutils web site to check if it is the latest version. If not you will get the opportunity to download the latest version. The Update button is disabled in shutdown mode.