PROBLEM 13-29 Net Present Value; Total-Cost and Incremental-Cost Approaches [L01]

Clean Duds Laundromat has an industrial water softener that enhances the water quality used in its washing machines. The water softener is approaching the end of its useful life and must be either overhauled or replaced. Details of the two alternatives are shown below.

If the company overhauls its current water softener, then it will be usable for eight more years. If, instead, a new water softener is purchased, it will be used for eight years, after which it will be replaced. The new water softener will be considerably more energy efficient, resulting in a substantial reduction in annual operating costs, as shown below:

Current New Water Softener Water Softener Purchase cost new . .. $8,000 $10,000 Remaining book value .. $4,500 Overhaul needed now . . . $4,000 Annual cash operating costs . . $6,000 $ 4,500 Salvage value now. . .... $2,000 Salvage value eight years from now $1,000 $ 3,000