Simplified energy design economics: principles of economics applied to energy conservation and solar energy investments in buildings. Final report

This handbook introduces the architect and engineer to economic analysis techniques for evaluating alternative energy conservation investments in buildings. Life-cycle cost, benefit-cost, savings-to-investment, payback, and rate-of-return analyses are explained and illustrated. The procedure for discounting is described for a heat pump investment. Formulas, tables of discount factors, and detailed instructions are provided to give the reader all information required to make economic evaluations of energy conserving building designs.