#2909 · Energy & Environment Tool

Building Carbon Emission Footprint Calculator

Estimate annual building emissions from purchased electricity and on-site fuel. Enter consumption and matching emission factors to calculate total operational CO₂e, the contribution of each energy source, and intensity per floor area.

Calculator

Planning inputs
kWh
Annual grid electricity consumption.
kg/kWh
Location- or market-based factor.
kWh
Annual combustion energy on a consistent basis.
kg/kWh
Direct combustion emission factor.
Conditioned or gross area used for intensity.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter annual purchased-electricity use and its emission factor.
  2. Enter annual on-site fuel energy and the matching emission factor.
  3. Add the building floor area used for intensity reporting.
  4. Select Calculate to review source emissions, total CO₂e, and intensity.

Formula

Total emissions (kg CO₂e) = electricity × electricity factor + fuel energy × fuel factor
Intensity = total emissions ÷ floor area

What the result means

The main result estimates annual operational emissions from the two energy streams entered. It does not include refrigerants, water, waste, tenant activities outside the meters, or embodied carbon.

Use emission factors for the same reporting year and method. Market-based and location-based electricity results should not be mixed without clear documentation.

Example calculation

450,000 kWh of electricity at 0.38 kg/kWh plus 180,000 kWh of fuel at 0.184 kg/kWh equals 204.12 t CO₂e, or 17.01 kg CO₂e/m² across 12,000 m².

Tips for better results

  • Use complete utility and fuel records for the same reporting year.
  • Match electricity factors to the chosen location- or market-based method.
  • Convert fuel quantities to the units required by the selected factor.
  • Use a consistent floor-area definition when comparing buildings.
  • Add refrigerants and other excluded sources separately for a fuller inventory.

Frequently asked questions

Does this building footprint include embodied carbon?

No. It covers operational electricity and on-site fuel only.

Should I use a location-based or market-based electricity factor?

Use the method required by your inventory and label it clearly; do not combine methods in a single comparison without explanation.

Can natural gas be entered in therms or cubic feet?

Convert it to kWh or use a compatible energy unit and factor before entering it here.

What floor area should I use for emissions intensity?

Use the area definition applied consistently across the buildings or reporting periods being compared.

Are refrigerant leaks included in the estimate?

No. Add refrigerant and other emission sources separately for a more complete operational inventory.

Variables and units

VariableMeaningUnit
EePurchased electricitykWh/year
EFₑElectricity factorkg CO₂e/kWh
EfOn-site fuel energykWh/year
AFloor area

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