Want to know what it costs and when it pays back? Enter the area, the prices and your yearly energy bill.
Your shopping list
1,800.00Total cost
360.00Yearly saving
5 yearsPayback time
- Material1,800.00
- Labor0.00
- Tax or VAT0.00
Prices are the numbers you type in, so use one currency. The saving is your own guess, so test a few values.
How to use the Insulation Cost and Payback Calculator
- Enter the area and the price per sq ft for the material and the labor.
- Type your yearly heating and cooling bill and the saving you expect.
- Read the total cost and the payback in years.
The math behind it
Total = area x (material price + labor price) x (1 + tax %)
Yearly saving = energy bill x saving %
Payback = total / yearly saving
A worked example
What we typed in
- Area to insulate: 1,500 sq ft
- Price of material: 1.50 per sq ft
- Labor price: 1.00 per sq ft
- Sales tax or VAT: 5%
- Yearly heating and cooling bill: 2,600.00
- Saving you expect: 15%
What we got
- Total cost: 3,937.50
- Yearly saving: 390.00
- Payback time: 10.1 years
- Material: 2,250.00
- Labor: 1,500.00
- Tax or VAT: 187.50
Tips from the job site
- Ask the utility about rebates before you buy.
- The saving depends on the house. A leaky attic saves the most.
Common questions
How long does insulation take to pay back?
It depends on your bill and your prices, and it is often a few years in a leaky attic. Use your own numbers.
How much will it save?
Use a modest number such as 10 to 20% for an attic upgrade and test a few values.
See all Insulation Calculators.
Last checked: (worked example and form display).