Skip to main content
Calcimator

Climate Control Energy Cost Calculator

Estimate annual greenhouse heating and cooling energy costs by climate zone using degree days and utility rates.

Inputs

sq ft
HDD
CDD
BTU/hr·ft²·°F
%
$/therm
$/kWh

Results

Total Annual Energy Cost

$11,680.86

≈ 8 months of rent

Cost per Sq Ft

$4.06

Annual Heating (Therms)8,316 therms
Annual Heating Cost$9,979.20
Annual Cooling (kWh)14,180.5 kWh
Annual Cooling Cost$1,701.66
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your greenhouse floor area in sq ft and look up your location's annual Heating Degree Days (HDD) and Cooling Degree Days (CDD).
  2. Enter the glazing U-value (heat transfer coefficient) — double poly is ~0.7, polycarbonate 16mm is ~0.45.
  3. Enter your heating system efficiency (%) and cooling COP, plus local energy costs for gas ($/therm) and electricity ($/kWh).
  4. Review Annual Heating Cost, Annual Cooling Cost, and Total Annual Energy Cost to plan your operating budget.
  5. Compare Cost per Sq Ft across different glazing types or energy efficiency improvements to identify the best investment.

How the result changes with Floor Area

Floor AreaTotal Annual Energy CostCost per Sq Ft
10,090$40,923.59$4.06
35,065$142,218.58$4.06
65,035$263,772.58$4.06
90,010$365,067.58$4.06

What each input means

Floor Area
Greenhouse floor area.
Heating Degree Days
Annual HDD for your location (base 65°F).
Cooling Degree Days
Annual CDD for your location (base 65°F).
Glazing U-Value
Heat transfer coefficient of the covering.
Heating Efficiency
Furnace or boiler efficiency percentage.
Cooling COP
Coefficient of performance for cooling equipment.
Natural Gas Cost
Cost per therm of natural gas.
Electricity Cost
Cost per kWh of electricity.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Floor Area = 2880, Heating Degree Days = 5500, Cooling Degree Days = 1200, Glazing U-Value = 0.7 = 8 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total Annual Energy Cost
    Total Annual Energy Cost
    11680.86 = $11,680.86
  3. Calculate Cost per Sq Ft
    Cost per Sq Ft
    4.06 = $4.06
  4. Calculate Annual Heating
    Annual Heating
    8316 = 8316
  5. Calculate Annual Heating Cost
    Annual Heating Cost
    9979.2 = $9,979.2

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Greenhouse

Greenhouse Heating Calculator

Calculate BTU heating requirements for a greenhouse based on glazing, dimensions, and temperature differential.

Greenhouse

Greenhouse Cooling Calculator

Size exhaust fans and evaporative cooling pads for greenhouse ventilation based on volume and heat load.

Museum

Museum Climate Control Calculator

Calculate temperature and humidity targets, HVAC tonnage, and annual energy costs for museum conservation environments.

Greenhouse

Bench Space Calculator

Optimize greenhouse bench layout to maximize growing area from bench width, aisle spacing, and structure dimensions.

More in Agriculture & Farming.