|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Note: This calculator provides estimates based on average values. Actual carbon emissions may vary based on regional factors, energy provider specifics, and individual usage patterns. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home Carbon Footprint Calculator Formula
Here’s the formula used by the home carbon footprint calculator:
- Electricity Emissions Calculation:
- Annual Emissions = Monthly Electricity (kWh) × 12 months × Electricity Factor
- Electricity Factor varies by source:
- National Grid: 0.92 lb CO₂/kWh (0.42 kg CO₂/kWh)
- 100% Renewable: 0.1 lb CO₂/kWh (0.045 kg CO₂/kWh)
- Mixed Sources: 0.5 lb CO₂/kWh (0.23 kg CO₂/kWh)
- Heating Emissions Calculation:
- Annual Emissions = Monthly Gas Usage (therms) × Heating Months × Gas Factor × Efficiency Factor
- Gas Factor: 11.7 lb CO₂/therm (5.31 kg CO₂/therm)
- Efficiency Factor varies by insulation quality:
- Poor: 1.3 (30% more emissions)
- Average: 1.0 (baseline)
- Good: 0.8 (20% fewer emissions)
- Excellent: 0.6 (40% fewer emissions)
- Water Heating Emissions Calculation:
- Annual Emissions = Monthly Water (gallons) × 12 months × (Hot Water Percentage ÷ 100) × Water Heating Factor
- Water Heating Factor: 0.18 kg CO₂ per gallon of hot water
- Total Carbon Footprint:
- Total Annual Emissions = Electricity Emissions + Adjusted Heating Emissions + Water Heating Emissions
- Recommendation Thresholds:
- Electricity: Recommendations if emissions > 1,500 kg CO₂e
- Heating: Recommendations if emissions > 1,000 kg CO₂e (except for excellent insulation)
- Water: Recommendations if emissions > 500 kg CO₂e
- Overall: Home energy audit recommended if total > 5,000 kg CO₂e