What are the UK emission factors for different fuels?

The UK Government (DESNZ) publishes official emission factors annually. Key values (2024): mains gas 0.183 kg CO₂/kWh, heating oil 0.245, grid electricity 0.136 (falling each year as renewables increase), LPG 0.214, coal 0.34, wood pellets 0.04 (near carbon-neutral). Heat pumps use electricity at COP 3.0, giving an effective rate of 0.045 kg CO₂/kWh of heat delivered.

How much CO₂ does the average UK home produce?

The average UK home emits approximately 2.7 tonnes of CO₂ per year from heating (based on typical gas consumption of 13,000 kWh). Including electricity for other uses, the total is about 4.5 tonnes per home. The UK government aims to reduce this significantly through insulation improvements, heat pump adoption, and grid decarbonisation by 2035.

How much CO₂ does a tree absorb per year?

A mature UK broadleaf tree absorbs approximately 22 kg of CO₂ per year. A young, fast-growing tree may absorb less as it establishes. To offset an average gas-heated home (2.7 tonnes CO₂), you would need approximately 123 trees. This is a simplification — the actual absorption depends on species, age, health, and growing conditions.

Is electricity greener than gas for heating?

Grid electricity (0.136 kg CO₂/kWh) now produces significantly less CO₂ per kWh than gas (0.183) thanks to the growth of renewables. Heat pumps deliver 2.5-4 kWh of heat per 1 kWh of electricity, making them 75-90% lower carbon than gas boilers. As the UK grid continues to decarbonise (target: zero carbon by 2035), heat pumps will become even greener. Direct electric heating is currently lower carbon than gas in absolute terms.

How can I reduce my home's carbon emissions?

The most effective measures in order: (1) Insulate — reducing heat demand is always the first step. (2) Install a heat pump — replaces gas/oil with efficient electric heating. (3) Switch to a green electricity tariff. (4) Install solar PV. (5) Draught-proof. (6) Use smart heating controls. A well-insulated home with a heat pump and solar PV can reduce emissions by 80-90%.

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Carbon Emission Calculator — Home Heating CO₂

Calculate annual CO₂ emissions from home heating by fuel type. Compare against UK averages and see how many trees would offset your emissions.

Fuel TypeYour primary heating fuel

Annual Consumption

From your energy bills

Household Size

For per-capita calculation

How We Calculate This

This calculator converts your annual fuel consumption into CO₂ emissions using UK Government emission factors, then compares the result to national averages.