How is this calculated

HOUSEHOLDS

Calculations based on the $ value of your bills is a good idea in principle, but unfortunately it is very difficult to determine your usage from your bills now that competitive energy markets exist.

The reason why is that each retailer can choose to sell under its own pricing structure, which they can keep confidential. Recently the Tasmanian regulator tried to compare Tasmanian electricity prices against other states and ended up with some large discrepancies.

In addition to this, every retailer offers different tariff structures and therefore we cannot determine if the household is using off-peak electricity (which is much cheaper per unit). In particular, different energy suppliers charge different fixed charges; eg some Victorian retailers charge $160/year fixed charged while in NSW it's more like $80.

Our household calculator offers you two options for estimating your energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Simple Option

The basic approach requires you to input what state you live in and how many people live in your home.

Using the state level averages for energy use and state greenhouse factors for fuels, the formula to estimate your carbon emissions takes into consideration the stand-by emissions of your television, DVD player, etc. the emissions of using your refrigerator, oven, etc., and the state variable carbon emission coefficient per person per household.

We have also included the carbon emission factor in regard to personal waste. The calculation is based on the average municipal solid waste figure for carbon emissions per person multiplied by the number of people in your home.

This simple option is based on state averages, however we know that not everyone is average!
The detailed method allows you to customise the calculation to your personal consumption.

Detailed Option

The best and most accurate method to customise your calculations is based on your usage of energy over the past year. By entering the figure that you consumed (eg. kWh for electricity, MJ for gas, L for LPG and tonnes for wood), the emission calculation will be more candid and accurate for you. This is on your energy bills, but if you can’t find them, ring your energy retailer: they should be able to give you this information.

We’ve used greenhouse coefficients from the Australian Greenhouse Office Factors and Methods Workbook 2006 to convert the energy use information into greenhouse gas emissions. We use these coefficients on a state-by-state basis so to help you make a more accurate calculation, for example Tasmania have a minimal carbon emission in comparison to mainland Australia with regard to electricity however have significant emissions in comparison with regard to wood and LPG.

With regard to wood, our calculations are based on the assumption that it is sourced sustainably and burnt efficiently in a wood heater.

In this option, if you are buying Green Power or Green Gas, we give you the option to tell us what proportion of your usage is from an accredited green source, because you won’t have to offset that part of your energy use – it’s already zero emission! If you’re unsure, check www.greenpower.gov.au or contact your energy retailer.