{
  "provider": {
    "name": "CalculateEnergySavings.com",
    "source_url": "https://calculateenergysavings.com/",
    "terms_url": "https://calculateenergysavings.com/api-terms/",
    "terms_version": "2026-08-25"
  },
  "id": "life-cycle-cost",
  "name": "Life-Cycle Cost Comparison",
  "description": "Compare two alternatives using present value of capital, operating, maintenance, and replacement costs.",
  "status": "published",
  "callable": true,
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "url": "https://calculateenergysavings.com/calculators/life-cycle-cost/",
  "methodology_url": "https://calculateenergysavings.com/calculators/life-cycle-cost/#methodology",
  "api_url": "https://calculateenergysavings.com/api/v1/calculators/life-cycle-cost",
  "calculate_url": "https://calculateenergysavings.com/api/v1/calculators/life-cycle-cost/calculate",
  "input_schema": {
    "type": "object",
    "additionalProperties": false,
    "properties": {
      "optionACost": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 100000,
        "title": "Option A first cost",
        "x-unit": "$"
      },
      "optionAAnnualCost": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 20000,
        "title": "Option A annual cost",
        "x-unit": "$/year"
      },
      "optionAReplacementCost": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 0,
        "title": "Option A replacement cost",
        "x-unit": "$"
      },
      "optionAReplacementYear": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 10,
        "title": "Option A replacement year",
        "x-unit": "year"
      },
      "optionBCost": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 130000,
        "title": "Option B first cost",
        "x-unit": "$"
      },
      "optionBAnnualCost": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 15000,
        "title": "Option B annual cost",
        "x-unit": "$/year"
      },
      "optionBReplacementCost": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 0,
        "title": "Option B replacement cost",
        "x-unit": "$"
      },
      "optionBReplacementYear": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 10,
        "title": "Option B replacement year",
        "x-unit": "year"
      },
      "analysisYears": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 20,
        "title": "Analysis period",
        "x-unit": "years"
      },
      "discountRatePercent": {
        "type": "number",
        "default": 7,
        "title": "Discount rate",
        "x-unit": "%"
      }
    }
  },
  "example_inputs": {
    "optionACost": 100000,
    "optionAAnnualCost": 20000,
    "optionAReplacementCost": 0,
    "optionAReplacementYear": 10,
    "optionBCost": 130000,
    "optionBAnnualCost": 15000,
    "optionBReplacementCost": 0,
    "optionBReplacementYear": 10,
    "analysisYears": 20,
    "discountRatePercent": 7
  },
  "source_url": "https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/financing-navigator",
  "formulas": [
    "Life-cycle cost is the present value of first, annual, and scheduled replacement costs.",
    "The lower present-value cost is the economic preference before nonfinancial factors."
  ],
  "disclaimer": "Screening estimate only. Verify measurements, assumptions, tariffs, equipment constraints, and applicable requirements before making a project or purchasing decision."
}