Energy Efficiency Payback Calculator
How rising electricity rates — driven by AI data center growth — extend payback periods for energy efficiency investments
Base Payback
3.2 yrs
At current rates
+34% Payback
2.4 yrs
With rate increase
Payback Shift
-0.8 yrs
Faster payback
Lifetime Net Savings
$782
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 $0 = break-even point. Dashed line = equipment lifespan.
| Metric | Base Rate | +10% | +20% | +30% | +40% | +50% | +60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate (¢/kWh) | 12.8 | 14.1 | 15.4 | 16.7 | 18.0 | 19.3 | 20.5 |
| Annual Savings ($) | $77 | $85 | $92 | $100 | $108 | $116 | $123 |
| Payback (Years) | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.0 |
| Shift vs Base | — | -0.3 yrs | -0.5 yrs | -0.7 yrs | -0.9 yrs | -1.1 yrs | -1.2 yrs |
| Lifetime Savings | $520 | $597 | $674 | $752 | $829 | $906 | $983 |
| Viable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data sources: DOE Energy Saver, EnergyStar, EIA 2024, CNBC Nov 2025, Yale Climate Connections Jan 2026, PJM/Utility Dive. Built by Malachi.Energy.