Horton’s new Data Analysis Report delivers a practical, step-by-step methodology for evaluating lifecycle costs, energy performance and environmental impact
Horton Automatics has released a new data analysis report that helps architects, specifiers and building owners evaluate the true long-term cost of door entrance systems. Rather than focusing solely on upfront purchase price, the report introduces a practical methodology for calculating total ownership costs, including energy consumption, maintenance, lifecycle performance and environmental impact over a 20-year period.
The report, titled “How to Calculate Total Ownership Costs When Specifying Door Entrance Systems,” provides a structured framework for selecting entrance systems that deliver better long-term value while supporting sustainability and energy efficiency goals.
A Data-Driven Approach To Total Ownership Cost
As energy efficiency and sustainability become increasingly important in modern building design, choosing the right entrance system requires more than comparing installation costs. Horton’s report outlines a step-by-step process for calculating the total cost of ownership by evaluating:
Initial investment
Energy consumption
Maintenance expenses
Lifecycle performance
Long-term operating costs
The methodology helps architects identify when higher-performing entrance systems can offset their initial costs through energy savings.
Comparing Three Common Entrance System Types
The report analyzes three widely used entrance system configurations:
Revolving doors
Automatic sliding doors
Single swing doors
Using real-world building applications and research data from MIT, the report compares how each system performs under different operating conditions. It also examines one of the most important financial questions for building owners:
“How long does it take for energy savings to offset a higher initial investment?”
By identifying the breakeven point, architects can make more informed specification decisions based on measurable long-term value.
“The industry has traditionally focused on first cost, but that approach often overlooks the long-term financial and environmental impact of entrance systems,” said Elias Campos, Vice President of Marketing at Horton Automatics.
“When total ownership costs are calculated accurately before plans are finalized, your project benefits from lower operating expenses and an entrance system that performs reliably and cost effectively for years to come.”
Factors That Influence Lifecycle Performance
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all calculation, the report incorporates several variables that affect entrance system performance, including:
Door configuration
Building occupancy and usage patterns
Regional climate zones
These factors provide architects with project-specific estimates of energy savings, operational costs and return on investment.
Evaluating Environmental Impact
Beyond financial analysis, the report examines the environmental performance of each entrance system type.
By considering operational efficiency alongside sustainability objectives, architects can select solutions that help reduce overall building energy use while supporting environmental goals and compliance with modern building standards.
Interactive Door System ROI Calculator
To complement the report, Horton Automatics also provides an interactive Door System & ROI Calculator.
The online tool allows users to customize inputs such as:
Climate zone
Building type
Traffic volume
Based on these project-specific variables, the calculator estimates:
Energy savings
Lifecycle costs
Return on investment
Total ownership costs
The interactive calculator enables architects and consultants to compare different entrance system options before finalizing project specifications.
“With increasing pressure to meet energy codes and sustainability targets, architects need reliable data they can act on,” Campos added.
“This report brings clarity to the specification process and helps ensure that the chosen entrance system delivers measurable value over time.”The report,
“How to Calculate Total Ownership Costs When Specifying Door Entrance Systems,” is now available through Horton Automatics.
Horton Automatics is the premium access brand of Horton Pedestrian Access Solutions, a division of Overhead Door Corporation. The company manufactures automated pedestrian entrance systems and supports customers through three manufacturing facilities, multiple service locations and more than 200 distribution partners across North America. Its portfolio includes the Horton Automatics®, Won-Door® and Door Services Corporation brands.
1. What is the Horton Total Ownership Cost report?
It is a data-driven guide that helps architects and building owners evaluate entrance systems based on long-term ownership costs, including energy use, maintenance and lifecycle performance.
2. Which door systems are compared in the report?
The report compares revolving doors, automatic sliding doors and single swing doors.
3. What factors are included in the ownership cost analysis?
The analysis considers installation cost, energy consumption, maintenance, lifecycle performance, building usage, door configuration and regional climate conditions.
4. What is the purpose of the Door System & ROI Calculator?
The calculator allows users to model project-specific conditions and estimate energy savings, lifecycle costs, return on investment and total ownership costs for different entrance system options.
5. Who should use this report?
The report is intended for architects, specifiers, consultants, facility managers and building owners who want to make informed entrance system decisions based on long-term performance rather than upfront cost alone.
