A company is using a piece of equipment which originally cost $30,000. The equipment has been in use for 5 years, and now has a net realizable value of $6000. At the time of installation, the service life was estimated to be 10 years and zero salvage value at the end .Operating costs amount to $22,000/year. At the present time, the remaining service life of the equipment to be 3 years.
A proposal has been made to replace the present piece of property by one more advanced design. The proposed equipment would cost $ 40,000, and the operating costs would be $ 15,000 per year. The service life is estimated to be 10 years with a zero salvage value. Each piece of equipment will perform the same service and all costs other than those for operation and depreciation will remain constant. The company requires an annual return of at least 10 percent. Should the present equipment be replaced? (straight line depreciation is applicable)