Free consumer tool

True cost calculator: what a purchase really costs to own

The sticker price is only part of it. Add running costs and resale value to see the total cost, the cost per year and the cost per use, and compare up to three options side by side.

Display only: no conversion.

Option 1

What you pay up front, including delivery and installation.

Energy, consumables, servicing, subscriptions.

For cost per use.

Electricity helper

Watts × hours a day × 365 ÷ 1000 = kWh a year, × your tariff. Fridges run all day but cycle, so use about a third of the rated watts × 24 h.

Option 2

What you pay up front, including delivery and installation.

Energy, consumables, servicing, subscriptions.

For cost per use.

Electricity helper

Watts × hours a day × 365 ÷ 1000 = kWh a year, × your tariff. Fridges run all day but cycle, so use about a third of the rated watts × 24 h.

True cost

Enter at least a price and how many years you expect to keep it.

Method

How it works

  1. Enter the price and lifespan

    Use the real price including delivery and installation, and how many years you honestly expect to keep it.

  2. Add running costs and resale

    Energy, filters, ink, servicing or subscriptions per year, minus what you could sell it for at the end. The electricity helper turns watts and hours into a yearly cost.

  3. Compare per year and per use

    Total = price + running cost × years − resale. Dividing by years makes options with different lifespans comparable; dividing by uses shows what each use really costs.

Official guidance:Bureau of Energy Efficiency star labels (India)EU energy label database (EPREL)

FAQ

Questions people ask

Why compare cost per year instead of the total?

A cheaper product that lasts 4 years and a dearer one that lasts 8 are not comparable on total cost. Cost per year of ownership puts them on the same footing.

How do I estimate electricity cost?

Multiply the power in watts by the hours used per day and by 365, divide by 1000 for kWh a year, then multiply by your tariff per kWh from your electricity bill. Energy labels often give kWh a year directly, which is more accurate for fridges and air conditioners.

Does the currency selector convert prices?

No. It only changes the symbol and number format. Enter every amount in the same currency.

Is anything saved?

Your last comparison is saved in this browser's local storage so it is there when you come back. Nothing is sent to AltFTool.

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