Energy Efficiency Payback Calculator
How rising electricity rates — driven by AI data center growth — extend payback periods for energy efficiency investments
Base Payback
1.3 yrs
At current rates
+34.3% Payback
1.0 yrs
With rate increase
Payback Shift
-0.3 yrs
Faster payback
Lifetime Net Savings
$2,372
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 $0 = break-even point. Dashed line = equipment lifespan.
| Metric | Base Rate | +10% | +20% | +30% | +40% | +50% | +60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate (¢/kWh) | 32.5 | 35.8 | 39.0 | 42.3 | 45.6 | 48.8 | 52.1 |
| Annual Savings ($) | $195 | $215 | $234 | $254 | $273 | $293 | $312 |
| Payback (Years) | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Shift vs Base | — | -0.1 yrs | -0.2 yrs | -0.3 yrs | -0.4 yrs | -0.4 yrs | -0.5 yrs |
| Lifetime Savings | $1,702 | $1,898 | $2,093 | $2,288 | $2,483 | $2,679 | $2,874 |
| 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.