Here's how the formula works:
- For example, let's consider a household with a gas meter that records 12 units of natural gas consumption.
- Start with the number of units of natural gas consumed. In this case, the number is 12.
- Multiply the number of units by the conversion factor 0.0053 Mcf/unit to get the total amount of natural gas consumed, in Mcf. This calculation results in a value of 0.0636 Mcf (12 units x 0.0053 Mcf/unit = 0.0636 Mcf).
- Multiply the Mcf value by the standard emissions factor for natural gas, which is 1.055056 kg CO2/Mcf. This factor represents the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with each unit of natural gas consumed. This calculation results in a value of 0.067 kg CO2 (0.0636 Mcf x 1.055056 kg CO2/Mcf = 0.067 kg CO2).
- Convert the result from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg), using the conversion factor 2.20462 lbs/kg. This conversion is necessary to express the carbon emissions in the metric system, which is commonly used in countries outside of the United States. This calculation results in a value of 0.03 kg CO2 (0.067 lbs x 1 kg/2.20462 lbs = 0.03 kg CO2).
Therefore, the estimated carbon emissions from consuming 12 units of natural gas, where each unit corresponds to 0.0053 Mcf of natural gas, would be approximately 0.03 kg of CO2.
