Tool calculates CO2 emissions from buildings
A US team has developed what is claimed to be a first-of-its-kind tool that can calculate how much carbon dioxide buildings and homes produce.
The new CO2e Rating Index tool will allow researchers to calculate energy efficiency on a whole new level, the developers say. For example, it can calculate and compare the emissions from one house using renewable energy against one that is not energy-efficient. In that way it can produce estimates showing how much renewable electrification can reduce carbon emissions on a day-by-day basis.
Another benefit of the CO2 Rating Index is that researchers can now show that carbon emissions are directly dependent on when electricity is being used and is also affected by weather and other conditions.
This would allow for the implementation of energy efficiency measures, such as programming a heat pump water heater to raise water storage temperatures during “green time,” when carbon emissions are at the lowest, or reduce the heating during “red time,” when emissions are at the highest.