Is the heat input already recovered steam?

No. Enter available heat before recovery. The example recovers 22,000 MWh × 72% = 15,840 MWh, worth $712,800 at $45/MWh. Subtracting a $180,000 period capital charge leaves $532,800 net value.

What period should the inputs cover?

The heat input is available energy before recovery efficiency, not energy already recovered. The heat value and capital charge cover the same period as the available MWh. Recovery efficiency is applied once. The capital charge is a cost and is subtracted; this calculation does not infer a financing schedule or NPV.

What does a negative net result mean?

The stated cost is larger than the realized benefit for this period. Keep that negative result visible; it is not a positive saving.

Are these measured operating results?

The defaults are an illustrative worked example. Replace them with the relevant cost, quantity and realization records for the actual review.

Waste-to-Energy Equipment calculator

Boiler Heat Recovery Calculator

Estimate recovered-heat value after the capital charge from available heat before recovery, usable heat value and recovery efficiency. Enter quantities and monetary amounts on the stated common period and scope.

What this calculator does

Estimate recovered-heat value after the capital charge from available heat before recovery, usable heat value and recovery efficiency.
Use it when justifying an economizer or heat-recovery boiler upgrade to weigh recovered energy value against the annualized capital it carries.

Formula used

Gross recovered-heat value = available heat before recovery × steam heat value × (economizer recovery efficiency ÷ 100)
Net heat-recovery value = gross recovered-heat value − capital charge for the period
Net value per available MWh = net heat-recovery value ÷ available heat before recovery

Inputs explained

Available heat before recovery:
Steam heat value:
Economizer recovery efficiency:
Capital charge for the period:

How to use the result

Use it when appraising an economizer or flue-gas heat-recovery retrofit, or when setting an internal transfer price for the steam the boiler exports.
The heat input is available energy before recovery efficiency, not energy already recovered. The heat value and capital charge cover the same period as the available MWh. Recovery efficiency is applied once. The capital charge is a cost and is subtracted; this calculation does not infer a financing schedule or NPV.

Current U.S. benchmarks

Industrial electricity averages 9.77 cents per kWh across the U.S. (EIA, Jul 2026), up 4.7% from a year earlier. Energy-intensive steps carry this directly into unit cost.
Steel mill PPI stands at 381.162 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 23.4% from a year earlier. New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).

Common questions

Is the heat input already recovered steam? No. Enter available heat before recovery. The example recovers 22,000 MWh × 72% = 15,840 MWh, worth $712,800 at $45/MWh. Subtracting a $180,000 period capital charge leaves $532,800 net value.
What period should the inputs cover? The heat input is available energy before recovery efficiency, not energy already recovered. The heat value and capital charge cover the same period as the available MWh. Recovery efficiency is applied once. The capital charge is a cost and is subtracted; this calculation does not infer a financing schedule or NPV.
What does a negative net result mean? The stated cost is larger than the realized benefit for this period. Keep that negative result visible; it is not a positive saving.
Are these measured operating results? The defaults are an illustrative worked example. Replace them with the relevant cost, quantity and realization records for the actual review.

Last reviewed 2026-09-09.