Bin Method Calculator — RTU Cooling Energy
The bin-method calculator simulates the energy usage of both a high efficiency and a standard efficiency rooftop unit (RTU) air conditioner. It then compares their energy and economic performance.
This calculator is primarily a demonstration of the bin-method. Its output should only be used in preliminary analysis and NOT for final purchasing decisions.
To run the calculator, characterize the two systems and their environment using the features on this page. Then click the "Submit" button. Use the "Restore" button to change all features back to their
defaults
.
Move your cursor over an information icon near a feature's name to display a
help
tip. Click on the icon for more details.
The
quick start
provides instructions for using the calculator. The engineering
methods
describe the calculations. Review the supporting
documents
and revision
history
.
Advanced Features
Hidden
Show bin calculations
Hide bin calcs
Lock load line
Automatically adjust
Building Type
Apartment-MidRise
Healthcare-Hospital
Healthcare-Outpatient
Hotel-Large
Office-Small
Office-Medium
Office-Large
Restaurant-FastFood
Restaurant-SitDown
Retail-StandAlone
Retail-StripMall
School-Primary
School-Secondary
Warehouse
S
Int
VSF
Office-Medium
State / City
AK
AL
AR
AZ
CA
CO
CT
DE
FL
GA
HI
IA
ID
IL
IN
KS
KY
LA
MA
MD
ME
MI
MN
MO
MS
MT
NC
ND
NE
NH
NJ
NM
NV
NY
OH
OK
OR
PA
PR
RI
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WA
WI
WV
WY
Columbia
Kansas City
Springfield
St. Louis
MO
Kansas City
Schedule
All week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
All week, 6 a.m. to Midnight
All week, All day
M-Fri, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
M-Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
M-Fri, 9am - 10pm; Sun 11-6
M-Fri, 7a.m. to 7p.m.
Indoor Temperature
50
55
60
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
90
95
o
F Setback
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Cond. Off
o
F
75
o
F
5
o
F
Inside Rel. Humidity (%)
Auto
Fixed
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
Auto
60%
Total Capacity
kBtuh
84 kBtuh
Oversizing Factor
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
150
200
250
300
%
0%
Ventilation Rate
% of Fan Cap.
CFM
24
of Fan Cap
N for Fan Energy Calcs
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
2.0
2.5
Candidate Unit
EER @
k$
$/yr
12 EER
$4,500
$0
Specific Candidate Unit
None
Advanced Controls
Variable-Speed Compressor
Three Stages
None
Enable Economizer
Economizer enabled
Power Inputs (kW)
EFn
Aux
Cnd
Condenser Fan
%
9.0 %
Degradation Factor
25
Number of Stages
1
2
3
5
10
1
E-Fan and Condenser
1-Spd: Always ON
1-Spd: Cycles With Compressor
N-Spd: Always ON
N-Spd: Cycles With Compressor
V-Spd: Always ON
1-Spd: Always ON
S/T Ratio
0.70
0.71
0.72
0.73
0.74
0.75
0.76
0.77
0.78
0.79
0.80
0.72
Spreadsheet Data
blank
Standard Unit
EER @
k$
$/yr
9 EER
$4,000
$0
Enable Economizer
Economizer enabled
Power Inputs (kW)
EFn
Aux
Cnd
Condenser Fan
%
9.0 %
Degradation Factor
25
Number of Stages
1
2
3
5
10
1
E-Fan and Condenser
1-Spd: Always ON
1-Spd: Cycles With Compressor
N-Spd: Always ON
N-Spd: Cycles With Compressor
V-Spd: Always ON
1-Spd: Always ON
S/T Ratio
0.70
0.71
0.72
0.73
0.74
0.75
0.76
0.77
0.78
0.79
0.80
0.72
Spreadsheet Data
blank
Electric Utility Rate
$/kWhrs
0.08 $/kWhrs
Demand
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Months
$/kW
0 Months
0 $/kW
Equipment Life
10
15
20
25
30
years
15 years
Number of Units
units
1 unit
Version 6.0
Chart discounted costs
Discount Rate
%
Discounted
7.0 %
Return to Controls Page
Show side-by-side charts
Reset the Calculator
