Using EnCalcE |
Latest
Version: 4.4
Size: 459KB
Released
14-April-2010 |
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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 identical 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.
For real examples of using the program look at
the Log File and to see how the results are
calculated click on Formulae.
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.
Default Values
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
- this only works if the user has administrative privileges.
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.
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.
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