11-i 

CHAPTER 11. LIFE-CYCLE COST SUBGROUP ANALYSIS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

11.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 11-1

11.2 SUBGROUPS DEFINITION ........................................................................................ 11-1

11.2.1 Senior-Only Households ................................................................................................ 11-1

11.2.2 Low-Income Households ............................................................................................... 11-1

11.3 INPUTS TO THE LIFE-CYCLE COST AND PAYBACK PERIOD SUBGROUP 

ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................... 11-2

11.4 RESULTS ...................................................................................................................... 11-3

11.4.1 Clothes Dryers ............................................................................................................... 11-3

11.4.1.1 Senior-Only .................................................................................................. 11-4

11.4.1.2 Low-Income ................................................................................................. 11-7

11.4.2 Room Air Conditioners .................................................................................................. 11-9

11.4.2.1 Senior-Only ................................................................................................ 11-10

11.4.2.2 Low-Income ............................................................................................... 11-12

LIST OF TABLES

Table 11.2.1 RECS 2005 Definitions of Low-Income Households by Yearly Income .......... 11-2

Table 11.3.1 Household Population Data for Clothes Dryers................................................. 11-2

Table 11.3.2 Household Population Data for Room Air Conditioners ................................... 11-3

Table 11.3.3 Weighted-Average Annual Energy Use for Baseline Clothes Dryers ............... 11-3

Table 11.3.4 Weighted-Average Annual Energy Use for Baseline for Room Air 

Conditioners ....................................................................................................... 11-3

Table 11.4.1 Electric Standard Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-4

Table 11.4.2 Compact 120V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-4

Table 11.4.3 Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-5

Table 11.4.4 Gas Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only Households...................... 11-5

Table 11.4.5 Vent-less Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-6

Table 11.4.6 Vent-less Combination Washer-Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for SeniorOnly Households ................................................................................................ 11-6

Table 11.4.7 Electric Standard Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-7

Table 11.4.8 Compact 120V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-7

Table 11.4.9 Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-8

Table 11.4.10 Gas Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income Households ..................... 11-8

Table 11.4.11 Vent-less Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income 

Households ......................................................................................................... 11-9
11-ii

Table 11.4.12 Vent-less Combination Washer-Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for LowIncome Households ............................................................................................ 11-9

Table 11.4.13 Room Air Conditioners, <6,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households ............................................................... 11-10

Table 11.4.14 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-13,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households ............................................................... 11-10

Table 11.4.15 Room Air Conditioners, 20,000-24,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and 

PBP Results for Senior-Only Households ....................................................... 11-11

Table 11.4.16 Room Air Conditioners, >25,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households ............................................................... 11-11

Table 11.4.17 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-10,999 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and 

PBP Results for Senior-Only Households ....................................................... 11-11

Table 11.4.18 Room Air Conditioners, >11,000 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households ............................................................... 11-12

Table 11.4.19 Room Air Conditioners, <6,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households............................................................... 11-12

Table 11.4.20 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-13,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households............................................................... 11-13

Table 11.4.21 Room Air Conditioners, 20,000-24,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and 

PBP Results for Low-Income Households ...................................................... 11-13

Table 11.4.22 Room Air Conditioners, >25,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households............................................................... 11-13

Table 11.4.23 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-10,999 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and 

PBP Results for Low-Income Households ...................................................... 11-14

Table 11.4.24 Room Air Conditioners, >11,000 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households............................................................... 11-14
11-1 

CHAPTER 11. LIFE-CYCLE COST SUBGROUP ANALYSIS

11.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 8 describes the life-cycle cost (LCC) and payback period (PBP) analyses that 

examine impacts of energy conservation standards on the U.S. population. In analyzing the potential 

impact of new or amended standards on residential consumers, DOE further evaluates the impact on 

identifiable groups of consumers (i.e., subgroups) that may be disproportionately affected by a 

national standard level. The LCC subgroup analysis evaluates impacts by analyzing the LCC and 

PBPs for subgroups of residential consumers. 

For both clothes dryers and room air conditioners, DOE identified two consumer subgroups 

that warranted further study: (a) households composed of people 65 years of age or older (senioronly); and (b) households at or below the poverty line (low-income). 

DOE determined the impact on consumer subgroups for clothes dryers and room air 

conditioners using the LCC Spreadsheet Model, which allows for the examination of particular 

consumer subgroups. DOE has the ability to use the LCC Spreadsheet Model to analyze the LCC 

for any subgroup by sampling only the data that apply to that subgroup (Chapter 8 explains in 

detail the inputs to the model used in determining LCC and PBPs). As described in section 11.3, 

the energy use and energy price characteristics of the two subgroups (senior-only and lowincome) are different than that for the general population. 

This chapter describes the subgroup identification in further detail and gives the results of the 

LCC and PBP analyses for the considered subgroups. 

11.2 SUBGROUPS DEFINITION

11.2.1 Senior-Only Households

Senior-only households have occupants who are all at least 65 years of age. Based on the 

DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey of 2005 

(RECS), senior-only households comprise 17 percent of the country’s households.1

11.2.2 Low-Income Households

As defined in the RECS survey, low-income households are considered to be those at or 

below the “poverty line.” The “poverty line” varies with household size, head of household age, 

and family income. Table 11.2.1 summarizes the income level baselines for selecting lowincome households from the RECS sample. The RECS survey classifies 15 percent of the 

country’s households as low-income.
11-2 

Table 11.2.1 RECS 2005 Definitions of Low-Income Households by Yearly Income 

Average Income in $

Household Size 48 Contiguous States 

and D.C.

Alaska Hawaii

1 9,570 11,950 11,010

2 12,830 16,030 14,760

3 16,090 20,100 18,510 

4 19,350 24,190 22,260

5 22,610 28,270 26,010

6 25,870 32,350 29,760

7 29,130 36,430 33,510 

8 32,390 40,510 37,260

9 35,650 44,590 41,010

10 38,910 48,670 44,760 

11 42,170 52,750 48,510

12 45,430 56,830 52,260

13 48,690 60,910 56,010 

14 51,950 64,990 59,760

15 55,210 69,070 63,510

 

11.3 INPUTS TO THE LIFE-CYCLE COST AND PAYBACK PERIOD 

SUBGROUP ANALYSIS

DOE performed the consumer subgroup analysis by analyzing the LCC and PBP of 

senior-only, low-income, multi-family, and manufactured households with the spreadsheet 

models used for the LCC and PBP analysis.

Tables 11.3.1 and 11.3.2 summarize the household populations for clothes dryers and room 

air conditioners, while Tables 11.3.3 and 11.3.4 summarize the weighted-average annual energy 

use for the households analyzed in the consumer subgroup analyses. These values are compared 

against the weighted-average values for the national sample. 

Table 11.3.1 Household Population Data for Clothes Dryers

Electric Vented Gas Electric Ventless

Count Weight Count Weight Count Weight

National 2655 66,957,265 756 20,262,441 570 14,370,518

Senior-Only 423 11,464,456 110 3,127,121 71 2,050,730

Senior-Only % 15.9% 17.1% 14.6% 15.4% 2.7% 14.3%

Low-Income 360 7,479,458 56 1,211,394 142 3,132,148

Low-Income % 13.6% 11.2% 7.4% 6.0% 5.3% 21.8%
11-3 

Table 11.3.2 Household Population Data for Room Air Conditioners

<6,000 Btu/h 8,000-13,999 Btu/h >20,000 Btu/h

Count Weight Count Weight Count Weight

National 266 9,187,800 890 38,903,667 66 2,484,502

Senior-Only 60 2,234,642 129 5,907,794 12 345,448

Senior-Only % 22.6% 24.3% 14.5% 15.2% 18.2% 13.9%

Low-Income 64 1,592,070 242 9,749,578 11 211,186

Low-Income % 24.1% 17.3% 27.2% 25.1% 16.7% 8.5%

Table 11.3.3 Weighted-Average Annual Energy Use for Baseline Clothes Dryers

kWh/year

All

Households

Senior

-Only

LowIncome

Electric Standard 718 467 674

Compact 120V 353 234 368

Compact 240V 317 211 330

Gas 785 488 834

Ventless 240V 372 248 387

Combination 463 307 482

Table 11.3.4 Weighted-Average Annual Energy Use for Baseline for Room Air 

Conditioners

kWh/year

All

Households

SeniorOnlyLowIncome

<6,000 Btu/h, with Louvers 401 242 526

8,000-13,999 Btu/h, with Louvers 636 535 729

20,000-24,999 Btu/h, with Louvers 506 325 844

>25,000 Btu/h, with Louvers 589 377 983

8,000-10,999 Btu/h, without Louvers 523 446 600

>11,000 Btu/h, without Louvers 779 664 894

11.4 RESULTS

11.4.1 Clothes Dryers

Tables 11.4.1 through 11.4.12 below summarize the LCC results for clothes dryers. The LCC 

results provide the average installed price, average lifetime operating cost (discounted), average lifecycle cost, average life-cycle cost savings, the percentage of consumers that are burdened with net 

costs, realize net savings, or are not impacted, and the median payback period. 
11-4 

11.4.1.1 Senior-Only

Table 11.4.1 Electric Standard Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only 

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.55 $455 $558 $1,014 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.56 $456 $555 $1,012 $0 1% 98% 2% 3.8

3.61 $457 $544 $1,001 $2 0% 79% 21% 0.2

3.73 $468 $527 $995 $7 31% 25% 45% 7.7

3.81 $528 $517 $1,045 -$40 86% 7% 7% 38.4

4.08 $583 $484 $1,068 -$62 88% 1% 11% 30.2

5.42 $880 $370 $1,250 -$245 92% 0% 8% 35.5

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.2 Compact 120V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.43 $470 $264 $734 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.48 $471 $259 $730 $3 5% 0% 95% 2.6

3.61 $471 $248 $719 $14 2% 0% 98% 0.9

3.72 $501 $241 $742 -$8 79% 0% 21% 16.2

3.80 $560 $236 $796 -$63 98% 0% 2% 40.1

4.08 $628 $219 $847 -$113 98% 0% 2% 46.3

5.41 $875 $164 $1,040 -$306 98% 0% 2% 56.0

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-5 

Table 11.4.3 Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.12 $470 $292 $762 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.16 $471 $288 $759 $2 3% 41% 55% 2.6

3.27 $471 $277 $748 $9 1% 41% 57% 0.8

3.36 $501 $269 $770 -$8 62% 25% 13% 17.1

3.48 $560 $260 $820 -$54 89% 8% 2% 41.8

3.60 $628 $251 $879 -$110 95% 4% 1% 59.0

4.89 $875 $184 $1,060 -$291 98% 0% 2% 54.6

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.4 Gas Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.14 $555 $288 $843 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.16 $556 $283 $839 $0 1% 93% 6% 2.3

3.20 $556 $271 $827 $2 0% 85% 15% 0.5

3.30 $568 $264 $832 -$1 40% 42% 18% 18.2

3.41 $659 $257 $916 -$76 89% 11% 0% 110.2

3.61 $713 $242 $956 -$115 98% 1% 1% 74.6

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-6 

Table 11.4.5 Vent-less Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Senior-Only

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

2.55 $1,093 $313 $1,405 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

2.59 $1,094 $306 $1,400 $5 0% 0% 100% 2.6

2.69 $1,094 $291 $1,385 $20 0% 0% 100% 0.9

2.71 $1,131 $289 $1,420 -$14 87% 0% 13% 19.3

2.80 $1,176 $278 $1,454 -$49 96% 0% 4% 30.1

4.03 $1,462 $178 $1,640 -$234 95% 0% 5% 37.7

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.6 Vent-less Combination Washer-Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for 

Senior-Only Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

2.08 $1,533 $389 $1,922 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

2.35 $1,535 $337 $1,872 $49 5% 0% 95% 0.6

2.38 $1,537 $332 $1,868 $54 1% 0% 99% 0.9

2.46 $1,537 $317 $1,854 $68 0% 0% 100% 0.7

2.56 $1,579 $302 $1,881 $41 34% 0% 66% 7.1

3.69 $1,982 $193 $2,175 -$253 92% 0% 8% 31.8

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-7 

11.4.1.2 Low-Income

Table 11.4.7 Electric Standard Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.55 $451 $792 $1,242 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.56 $452 $789 $1,241 $0 1% 98% 2% 3.6

3.61 $452 $778 $1,230 $2 0% 79% 21% 0.2

3.73 $463 $754 $1,217 $12 24% 25% 51% 6.3

3.81 $524 $739 $1,263 -$30 80% 7% 13% 30.4

4.08 $579 $692 $1,271 -$38 79% 1% 20% 23.8

5.42 $874 $528 $1,402 -$170 83% 0% 17% 27.9

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.8 Compact 120V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.43 $464 $388 $852 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.48 $465 $383 $849 $3 7% 0% 93% 2.8

3.61 $466 $373 $839 $13 6% 0% 94% 0.9

3.72 $495 $362 $857 -$5 75% 0% 25% 15.4

3.80 $555 $354 $909 -$57 96% 0% 4% 36.0

4.08 $622 $329 $951 -$99 95% 0% 5% 38.2

5.41 $868 $245 $1,114 -$262 95% 0% 5% 42.5

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-8 

Table 11.4.9 Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income 

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.12 $464 $431 $895 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.16 $465 $427 $892 $2 5% 41% 54% 2.8

3.27 $466 $416 $882 $8 3% 41% 55% 0.9

3.36 $495 $405 $900 -$6 59% 25% 16% 16.0

3.48 $555 $391 $945 -$47 86% 8% 5% 34.8

3.60 $622 $377 $999 -$99 93% 4% 3% 47.2

4.89 $868 $275 $1,144 -$243 94% 0% 6% 40.6

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.10 Gas Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

3.14 $546 $439 $985 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

3.16 $547 $434 $981 $0 1% 93% 7% 2.3

3.20 $548 $423 $970 $2 0% 85% 15% 0.5

3.30 $560 $411 $971 $2 33% 42% 25% 12.1

3.41 $651 $400 $1,050 -$69 88% 11% 2% 73.8

3.61 $705 $377 $1,082 -$100 95% 1% 4% 51.4

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-9 

Table 11.4.11 Vent-less Compact 240V Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for Low-Income

Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

2.55 $1,087 $457 $1,544 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

2.59 $1,088 $450 $1,539 $5 0% 0% 100% 2.5

2.69 $1,089 $436 $1,525 $19 0% 0% 100% 0.9

2.71 $1,125 $432 $1,557 -$14 87% 0% 13% 18.6

2.80 $1,170 $416 $1,586 -$42 93% 0% 7% 26.7

4.03 $1,455 $264 $1,719 -$175 88% 0% 12% 28.6

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.12 Vent-less Combination Washer-Dryers: LCC and PBP Results for LowIncome Households

CEF

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

2.08 $1,527 $570 $2,098 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

2.35 $1,529 $493 $2,022 $76 2% 0% 98% 0.4

2.38 $1,531 $487 $2,018 $80 1% 0% 100% 0.6

2.46 $1,531 $474 $2,005 $93 0% 0% 100% 0.6

2.56 $1,573 $452 $2,025 $73 23% 0% 77% 5.6

3.69 $1,975 $285 $2,260 -$162 83% 0% 17% 23.8

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

11.4.2 Room Air Conditioners

Tables 11.4.13 through 11.4.24 below summarize the LCC results for room air conditioners. 

The LCC results provide the average installed price, average lifetime operating cost (discounted), 

average life-cycle cost, average life-cycle savings, the percentage of consumers that are burdened 

with net costs, realize net savings, or are not impacted, and the median payback period. 
11-10

11.4.2.1 Senior-Only

Table 11.4.13 Room Air Conditioners, <6,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP Results 

for Senior-Only Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

9.52 $354 $283 $637 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

10.1 $364 $265 $630 $5 30% 31% 39% 5.3

10.6 $377 $254 $632 $4 45% 31% 24% 8.0

11.1 $396 $244 $640 -$5 81% 1% 18% 11.8

11.4 $414 $239 $653 -$17 88% 0% 12% 15.2

11.7 $476 $234 $710 -$75 96% 0% 4% 28.1

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.14 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-13,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

9.69 $472 $529 $1,001 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

10.2 $478 $503 $981 $8 5% 62% 33% 2.2

10.7 $488 $481 $969 $13 12% 59% 28% 0.0

10.9 $492 $473 $965 $17 41% 2% 57% 3.3

11.5 $520 $448 $968 $14 64% 1% 36% 8.2

12.0 $599 $432 $1,031 -$49 83% 0% 17% 18.2

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-11

Table 11.4.15 Room Air Conditioners, 20,000-24,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.47 $838 $615 $1,453 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.0 $854 $580 $1,433 $1 8% 87% 6% 6.3

9.4 $868 $551 $1,419 $3 8% 85% 6% 6.4

9.8 $913 $529 $1,442 -$17 92% 4% 4% 29.6

10.2 $1,139 $514 $1,653 -$223 98% 2% 0% 97.3

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.16 Room Air Conditioners, >25,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP Results 

for Senior-Only Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.48 $957 $665 $1,622 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.00 $998 $628 $1,626 $0 11% 87% 1% 14.6

9.40 $1,036 $597 $1,634 -$1 13% 85% 2% 14.9

9.80 $1,290 $576 $1,866 -$234 100% 0% 0% 143.8

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.17 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-10,999 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.41 $484 $476 $960 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.3 $491 $432 $923 $4 1% 90% 9% 1.9

9.6 $494 $419 $913 $11 17% 25% 58% 2.6

10.0 $508 $400 $908 $16 45% 6% 49% 5.6

10.4 $610 $388 $998 -$73 94% 2% 4% 28.8

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-12

Table 11.4.18 Room Air Conditioners, >11,000 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Senior-Only Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.44 $567 $669 $1,237 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.30 $584 $610 $1,194 $4 3% 90% 7% 3.4

9.50 $589 $598 $1,187 $9 28% 31% 41% 4.5

9.80 $605 $577 $1,182 $13 43% 17% 40% 6.3

10.02 $700 $566 $1,267 -$71 95% 0% 5% 31.9

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

11.4.2.2 Low-Income

Table 11.4.19 Room Air Conditioners, <6,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP Results 

for Low-Income Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

9.52 $346 $480 $826

10.1 $356 $454 $809 $12 19% 30% 51% 3.3

10.6 $369 $433 $802 $17 28% 30% 42% 4.5

11.1 $387 $415 $802 $17 54% 1% 45% 6.6

11.4 $405 $406 $810 $9 64% 0% 36% 8.2

11.7 $467 $397 $863 -$44 84% 0% 16% 16.2

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-13

Table 11.4.20 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-13,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

9.69 $474 $684 $1,159 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

10.2 $480 $652 $1,132 $10 3% 62% 35% 1.6

10.7 $490 $623 $1,113 $18 8% 59% 33% 0.0

10.9 $494 $612 $1,106 $24 27% 2% 69% 2.5

11.5 $522 $580 $1,103 $27 50% 1% 48% 6.1

12.0 $601 $560 $1,161 -$31 74% 0% 25% 12.9

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.21 Room Air Conditioners, 20,000-24,999 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.47 $846 $1,034 $1,880 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.0 $862 $973 $1,835 $7 2% 82% 16% 2.1

9.4 $876 $928 $1,804 $13 3% 80% 17% 2.3

9.8 $921 $890 $1,812 $8 71% 4% 25% 10.0

10.2 $1,149 $862 $2,010 -$187 96% 2% 2% 33.2

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.22 Room Air Conditioners, >25,000 Btu/h, with Louvers: LCC and PBP Results 

for Low-Income Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.48 $967 $1,152 $2,119 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.00 $1,007 $1,086 $2,093 $4 7% 83% 10% 5.0

9.40 $1,046 $1,036 $2,082 $7 10% 80% 10% 5.4

9.80 $1,301 $996 $2,297 -$209 99% 0% 1% 48.6

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-14

Table 11.4.23 Room Air Conditioners, 8,000-10,999 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback 

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.41 $486 $600 $1,086 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.3 $492 $545 $1,038 $5 1% 90% 10% 1.2

9.6 $495 $528 $1,024 $15 8% 25% 66% 1.8

10.0 $510 $506 $1,016 $23 33% 6% 60% 4.3

10.4 $612 $490 $1,103 -$62 90% 2% 7% 22.1

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.

Table 11.4.24 Room Air Conditioners, >11,000 Btu/h, without Louvers: LCC and PBP 

Results for Low-Income Households 

CEER

Life-Cycle Cost (2009$) Life-Cycle Cost Savings Payback

Period

Average 

Installed 

Price

Average 

Operating 

Cost

Average 

LCC

Average 

Savings 

(2009$)

Households with

Median 

(years)** Net

Cost

No 

Impact*

Net 

Benefit

8.44 $570 $855 $1,425 N/A 0% 100% 0% N/A

9.30 $587 $779 $1,366 $6 1% 90% 9% 2.1

9.50 $592 $764 $1,356 $13 18% 31% 51% 3.1

9.80 $607 $739 $1,346 $21 32% 17% 50% 4.7

10.02 $703 $724 $1,428 -$60 91% 0% 8% 22.8

* “No impact” means that the base case product assigned to the household has greater efficiency than the level 

indicated, so the household is not affected.
11-15

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy 

Consumption Survey: 2005 Public Use Data Files, 2005.

<http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recspubuse05/pubuse05.html>