Introduction

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Using

Using EnCalcEU Version: 5.5 Size: 519KB Released: 15-November-2011

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.

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, un ticked means the Break Point is a fixed number of KWHrs. The type of Break Point is indicated by a letter in front of the Break Point figure - F = Fixed and D = Daily Rate in the history log.

Cost and Units per Day
The program will display cost and units per day for the actual results.

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.

Fixed Cost
Fixed Costs are calculated by multiplying the fixed cost value by the number of complete and partial quarter or months dependent on the setting of the Monthly checkbox. For the actual formulae used click here.

Discount 1
Discount 1 is a fixed or percentage discount subtracted before VAT/Tax and is multiplied by the number of complete and partial quarter or months for the both the actual and predicted calculations. To calculate Discount 1 as a percentage check the Discount 1 % checkbox. Discount 1 can be used to handle discounts for early payment. For the actual formulae used click here.

Discount 2
Discount 2 is either a discount multiplied by the number of complete and partial quarter or months for both the actual and predicted calculations applied after VAT/Tax or a fixed amount subtracted from the actual and predicted results. Discount 2 can be used to allow for one off credits due to over payment. The history log shows a fixed discount 2 by means of the letter F in front of the discount figure. For the actual formulae used click here.

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:

Get Last And Rem Last
The Get Last button is used to retrieve the last saved date and meter readings. Each time a calculation is saved the last date and readings are saved to the history log and are available for retrieval. The last readings saved are also retrieved on start up if they exist. The Rem Last button is used to delete the last saved date and meter readings.

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.

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.

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.

Update Check
Clicking on the Update button on the main screen connects EnCalcLU 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.