Using
EnCalcEU |
Version:
5.1
Size: 575KB
Released
06-July-2010
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What ever purpose the program is used for you need to enter two
sets of meter readings taken on specific dates. The program will
calculate the cost between these two dates and if 'Predict' is
not 0 will predict the electricity cost for the specified number
of quarters or months ahead based on the amount used as calculated from
the readings entered. The prediction accuracy will improve the
greater the time between the two sets of meter readings. Be warned
the prediction accuracy will also be affected by seasonal variations
such as weather and daylight hours. See the log files and screen shot for examples of use.
For an overview of the data limits
including those which can be 0 or empty see Data Limits. When the Calculate or Save Data buttons are clicked
any relevant fields set to zero will be cleared. Hovering over
the various data boxes with the mouse pointer will cause the Tool
Tips to be displayed which give information as to what the box
is for and what the data limits are if it is for data entry. Use
the tab key to move sequentially between data input boxes (not
the electricity data values) or the mouse pointer to select individual
boxes. Negative numbers are displayed in orange without the minus sign.
Entering invalid data will cause
an error pop up to appear explaining what is wrong when the Calculate or Save Data buttons are clicked. These errors
must be resolved before the calculate function will work. If an
internal program error occurs data will be written to the log file
if possible and an error number will be displayed. Any errors of
this type should be reported to us since they indicate a bug.
Meter Readings
Meter readings are entered in complete KWHrs, any part KWHrs values entered are removed and ignored in the calculation. Advice on how to read meters can usually be found on the electricity suppliers web site.
Currency And Date Formats
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 Data, Save Data 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 is treated as an error.
Electricity Costs And Get Last
The cost of electricity, the prediction period, whether the program
runs on top and how save works can be saved as default values
by clicking on the Save Data button. The Save Data button
will only work for users with administrative privileges. The
Reset Data button is used to restore the default electricity data saved. These
details should be entered and saved before you first use the
program. This information can be obtained from your last electricity
bill or from the supplier. The Get Last button is used to retrieve
the last date and meter readings saved. Each time a calculation is saved the
last set of readings and date are saved and are available for retrieval. The last saved meter readings are also retrieved when the program is started but can be overwritten if required.
Break Point Calculation
The Break Point is the number of KWHrs of electricity used before charging switches from Normal Rate 1 to Normal Rate 2, for the actual
formulae used click here. If the daily rate checkbox is ticked the Break Point is Calculated in KWHrs per day, unticked means the Break Point is a fixed number of KWHrs.
Cost and Units per Day
The program will display cost and units per day for the actual results.
Fixed Cost, Discount And Break
Point Calculation
Fixed Cost and Discount Totals are calculated by multiplying the value by the number of complete and partial quarters or months dependent on the setting of the Monthly checkbox. Discount one can be either a fixed amount or a percentage of the total before VAT/Tax dependent on the setting of the Discount 1 % checkbox. Discount 2 is subtracted after VAT/Tax. For the actual
formulae used click here.
Quarter Calculation
Electricity suppliers are not noted for the predictability of their
billing dates and although the nominal period may be a quarter
of a year the dates do vary, also the billing period is unlikely
to align with a real quarter start date. For these reasons the
quarter calculation is a compromise which allows for an extra ten
days. This is to stop fixed charges, discounts and break points being incorrectly
calculated. This does mean that if the actual period being costed
is just over two or more quarters the fixed charges, discounts and breakpoints
may still be incorrectly calculated. This possible error does not
occur with predicted results. For the actual
formula used click here.
Logging
The results log file is used to capture the results of calculations
Each entry is date and time stamped. Any internal program errors
will also be written to the results log file. A start up message is written
to the results log file each time the program is started which shows
the program version. There is also a history log which which stores a running
record of the last set of data entered. For a real example of using the program and
more details about the history and results log files look at Log Files. 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. It is also possible to clear the results log file with out archiving it by clicking on the Archive button and selecting No when prompted.
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