What power really costs you.
WHY THE BILL IS NOT THE ANSWER
Most businesses pay for power from several sources, and only one appears on a bill.
WHAT TO ADD TOGETHER
Grid electricity paid for Fuel for generators Servicing and parts Batteries replaced Equipment damaged by poor power Downtime when nothing works
WHAT THAT TOTAL IS
Your actual energy cost.
WHY CALCULATE IT
Every decision about solar, generators or premises depends on it.
HOW TO EXPRESS IT USEFULLY
Cost per unit, across all sources.
HOW TO CALCULATE GENERATOR COST PER UNIT
Fuel consumed in an hour, multiplied by fuel price, divided by units produced in that hour.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND
Generator power costs several times grid power, typically.
WHY THAT IS THE KEY FINDING
It makes the case for every alternative.
WHAT TO ADD TO THE GENERATOR FIGURE
Servicing, oil, filters and eventual replacement.
WHY
They are real and they are forgotten.
WHAT TO MEASURE OVER
A full month, including a bad week.
WHY A BAD WEEK
Averages built from good periods mislead.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE NUMBER
Compare it against what alternatives would cost.
WHAT TO REVIEW
It, annually, as fuel and tariffs move.
