2. 8.65 An engineer with EP Gas and Electric is evaluating alternative equipment for maintaining gas wells using a no-return payback analysis. The minimum number of years required to recover the initial investment is closest to: 1. 6 2. 5 3. 4 4. 3 First cost = $−185,000 n = 10 years NCF = $42,000 for year 1, decreasing by $2500 per year thereafter No salvage value