Can I enter a gas burner rating?

No, this model uses measured electrical demand in kW. Gas consumption needs a separate fuel quantity and matching fuel price.

Is rated power multiplied by time sufficient?

Only when full rated input is maintained throughout that time. Use measured average input to account for cycling and control changes.

Does this set the ladle preheat temperature?

No, it accounts for electricity only. The refractory and process requirements determine the approved preheat or dryout schedule.

Why are per-heat outputs blank at zero heats?

No heat exists over which to divide the recorded preheat energy. Total electricity and its expense still apply.

Foundry & Forging calculator

Electric Ladle Preheat Energy Calculator

Measure the electricity assigned to an electric ladle preheat interval. Enter average electrical demand, duration, electricity rate and the number of heats served.

What this calculator does

Calculate electricity consumed by a ladle preheat interval and its expense per supported heat.

Formula used

Electric preheat energy = measured average electrical demand × preheat runtime
Electricity expense = electric preheat energy × electricity rate
Energy per supported heat = electric preheat energy ÷ supported heats
Expense per supported heat = electricity expense ÷ supported heats

Inputs explained

Measured Average Preheater Demand: Average electrical demand measured throughout the preheat interval.
Preheat Runtime: Recorded interval matching the average electrical demand.
Electricity Consumption Rate: Electricity bill rate for consumed energy only.
Heats Supported: Whole heats served by this recorded preheat interval.

How to use the result

Best suited to electric preheater energy Review, ladle heat allocation.
Gas consumption, demand charges and refractory condition are outside this model. Energy consumed does not establish a safe dryout or preheat schedule.

Current U.S. benchmarks

As of Jul 2026, industrial electricity averages 9.8 cents per kWh across the U.S. (EIA), up 4.7% from a year earlier. State averages range widely, so plants should confirm against their own tariff.
The producer price index for steel mill products stands at 381.162 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 23.4% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
The U.S. has 3,569 primary metal manufacturing establishments employing about 354,911 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Can I enter a gas burner rating? No, this model uses measured electrical demand in kW. Gas consumption needs a separate fuel quantity and matching fuel price.
Is rated power multiplied by time sufficient? Only when full rated input is maintained throughout that time. Use measured average input to account for cycling and control changes.
Does this set the ladle preheat temperature? No, it accounts for electricity only. The refractory and process requirements determine the approved preheat or dryout schedule.
Why are per-heat outputs blank at zero heats? No heat exists over which to divide the recorded preheat energy. Total electricity and its expense still apply.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06.