Energy Efficiency Payback Calculator
How rising electricity rates — driven by AI data center growth — extend payback periods for energy efficiency investments
Malachi.Energy
AI Energy Cost Impact Analysis
Feb 2026
Base Payback
2.6 yrs
At current rates
+30% Payback
2.0 yrs
With rate increase
Payback Shift
-0.6 yrs
Faster payback
Lifetime Net Savings
$1,014
Investment recovers
Ecobee/Nest avg savings data
National avg 16.2¢ | IL=17.2 | TX=14.9 | VA=15.8 | OH=13.8 | DC=18.4
Key driver: AI data center growth is pushing rates up 20-60% in many states
Click a state to apply its rate to your scenario.
Sources: CNBC Nov 2025, Yale Climate Connections Jan 2026, PJM/Utility Dive
Payback Timeline — 1 block = 1 year
Colored blocks = still paying off investment. Green ✓ = investment recovered. Longer bar = longer wait.
Lines crossing $0 = break-even point. Dashed line = equipment lifespan.
| Metric | Base Rate | +10% | +20% | +30% | +40% | +50% | +60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate (¢/kWh) | 16.2 | 17.8 | 19.4 | 21.1 | 22.7 | 24.3 | 25.9 |
| Annual Savings ($) | $97 | $107 | $117 | $126 | $136 | $146 | $156 |
| Payback (Years) | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Shift vs Base | — | -0.2 yrs | -0.4 yrs | -0.6 yrs | -0.7 yrs | -0.9 yrs | -1.0 yrs |
| Lifetime Savings | $722 | $819 | $916 | $1,014 | $1,111 | $1,208 | $1,305 |
| Viable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |