EPA GHG Emissions Calculator
Estimate your annual household or small business greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from common energy and transportation sources. This calculator uses simplified national average emission factors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
Enter your total kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity consumed per year. This can usually be found on your utility bill.
Enter your total therms of natural gas consumed per year. Check your natural gas bill for this figure.
Enter your total gallons of propane consumed per year for heating or other uses.
Enter your total gallons of heating oil (fuel oil #2) consumed per year.
Estimate the total miles you drive your personal vehicles annually.
Enter the average miles per gallon (MPG) for your primary vehicle(s).
Understanding Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global climate change. The most significant GHG is carbon dioxide (CO2), but others like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) also play a role. Emissions are often expressed in terms of "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e) to account for the different global warming potentials of various GHGs.
Why Calculate Your GHG Emissions?
Calculating your personal or household carbon footprint is a crucial first step towards understanding your environmental impact. It helps you:
- Identify Major Sources: Pinpoint which activities contribute most to your emissions.
- Inform Decisions: Make more sustainable choices regarding energy consumption, transportation, and lifestyle.
- Track Progress: Monitor the effectiveness of efforts to reduce your footprint over time.
- Promote Awareness: Encourage others to consider their own impact.
How This Calculator Works
This calculator estimates your annual GHG emissions by multiplying your activity data (e.g., kWh of electricity used, miles driven) by specific "emission factors." An emission factor is a representative value that relates the quantity of a pollutant released to a unit of activity. For this calculator, we use simplified national average emission factors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for CO2e.
- Electricity: Emissions vary significantly by region depending on the energy sources used to generate electricity (e.g., coal, natural gas, renewables). This calculator uses a national average factor.
- Natural Gas, Propane, Heating Oil: These fossil fuels release CO2 when burned for heating, cooking, or other purposes.
- Vehicle Fuel: Burning gasoline in vehicles releases CO2. The calculation considers your annual miles driven and your vehicle's fuel efficiency to estimate fuel consumption.
Interpreting Your Results
The total annual GHG emissions are presented in metric tons of CO2e. This figure represents the total warming potential of all GHGs emitted from your specified activities. The breakdown by source helps you see which areas contribute most to your footprint. For context, the average American's carbon footprint is estimated to be around 16 metric tons of CO2e per year, though this can vary widely.
Tips for Reducing Your GHG Emissions
Once you know your footprint, you can take action:
- Energy Efficiency: Improve insulation, use energy-efficient appliances, switch to LED lighting, and unplug electronics when not in use.
- Renewable Energy: Consider switching to a renewable energy provider or installing solar panels.
- Transportation: Drive less, carpool, use public transport, bike, or walk. Consider electric or hybrid vehicles. Maintain your vehicle for optimal fuel efficiency.
- Heating & Cooling: Set your thermostat efficiently, seal drafts, and perform regular maintenance on HVAC systems.
- Waste Reduction: Reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost to minimize emissions from landfills.
Every small change can contribute to a larger positive impact on our planet.
Your Estimated Annual GHG Emissions:
" + "Total Annual Emissions: " + totalGHGEmissions.toFixed(2) + " metric tons CO2e" + "Breakdown by Source:" + "- " +
"
- Electricity: " + electricityEmissions.toFixed(2) + " metric tons CO2e " + "
- Natural Gas: " + naturalGasEmissions.toFixed(2) + " metric tons CO2e " + "
- Propane: " + propaneEmissions.toFixed(2) + " metric tons CO2e " + "
- Heating Oil: " + heatingOilEmissions.toFixed(2) + " metric tons CO2e " + "
- Vehicle Fuel: " + vehicleEmissions.toFixed(2) + " metric tons CO2e " + "