How the Home Gas CO2 Calculator Works
This tool calculates the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) produced by natural gas consumption in your home. Residential gas heating is one of the main sources of household CO2 emissions.
The Natural Gas Emission Factor
According to the EPA, burning 1 therm of natural gas produces about 5.3 kg of CO2. One standard cubic meter (Smc) produces approximately 2.0 kg of CO2. These factors account for the complete combustion of methane.
Three Calculation Modes
You can enter data in three ways:
- Annual consumption in therms/Smc: the most accurate method if you know your usage from utility bills
- Monthly spending: the calculator estimates consumption by subtracting fixed costs and dividing by the average price
- Automatic estimate: based on average consumption data for your home type
How to Reduce Emissions
The most effective interventions to reduce home gas CO2 emissions are building insulation, replacing the gas furnace with an electric heat pump, and switching to an induction cooktop. Combining these measures can reduce gas emissions by 70-90%.