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Cost Comparsion: Cold Air Drain^®, Wind Machines, and Heaters

	Cold Air Drain® #1550	Wind Machine	Heaters
Unit Coverage	Approx. 10 acres*	Approx. 10 acres	Oil-Fueled: 40 heaters/acre2=400 heaters for 10 acres Propane-Fueled: 62 heaters/acre2=620 heaters for 10 acres
Unit Cost	Approx. $13,500	Approx. $15,600-$32,0001	Oil-Fueled: Approx. $2,200/acre2=$22,000 for 10 acres Propane-Fueled: Approx. $6,500/acre2=$65,000 for 10 acres
Installation Cost	No additional fee: Portability allows owner installation	Cement pad + installation fee (may be included in price of new machine)
Maintenance Cost	Owner maintained: Standard engine maintenance	Maintenance contract required	Significant maintenance required (e.g., cleaning heaters after 20-30 hours of use3)
Fuel Consumption/Hour	1 gal./hr=$3/hr	10 gal./hr4=$30/hr	Oil- and Propane-Fueled: 1 gal./hr/heater Oil-Fueled: 400 heaters x $3/gal.=$1,200/hr Propane-Fueled: 620 heaters x $1.87/gal.=$1,159/hr
Efficiency	90%	56%5	10-15%6
Fuel Cost 6 Hours Running (10 acres)	$18	$270	Oil-Fueled: $1,200/hr x 6hrs=$7,200 Propane-Fueled: $1,159/hr x 6hrs=$6,954
Fuel Cost 6 Hours Running (100 acres)	$180	$2,700	Oil-Fueled: $72,000 Propane-Fueled: $69,540

*Depending on severity of situation.

Note 1: All cost data presented in this table are estimates and are in U.S. dollars.
Note 2: Labor costs may also be significant, especially for heaters, due to placing heaters in the field, lighting, refueling, and cleaning heaters. Labor costs are not provided in this table, as labor costs are extremely variable.
Note 3: Fuel costs ($/gal.) are based on the most recent U.S. average fuel prices available. The cost for a gallon of gasoline is $3/gal. The cost for a gallon of propane is $1.87/gal.
Note 4: Cost estimates for 6 and 100 hours running are based on the assumption of 100% efficiency for all units.

1. Assessor’s Handbook Section 534: Rural Building Costs. January 2010. California State Board of Equalization.
2. Synder, Richard L. and J. Paulo de Melo-Abreu. 2005. Frost Protection: Fundamentals, Practice, and Economics. Volume 1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
3. Evans, R. G. and A. S. Alshami. 2009. "Pulse Jet Orchard Heater System Development: Part I: Design, Construction, and Optimization." American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 52(2): 331-343.
4. Jackson, L.K. and Parsons, L.R. June 1994. "Cold Protection Methods". Fact Sheet HS-121. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.
5. Rikan Aeromarine, LTD. June 2004. A Comparative Study of FROST BOSS and ORCHARD RITE Wind Machine Fans.
6. Wilson, E. B., and A. L. Jones. 1969. "Orchard Heater Measurements." Circular 511. Pullman, WA: Washington State University, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station.
7. 2010. "Weekly U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices, Regular Grade." Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. Online. 27 July 2010. http://www.eia.doe.gov/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html.
8. 2007. "Shorty-Term Energy Outlook." Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. Online. 27 July 2010. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/archives/jan07.pdf.

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