Environmental · Sustainability
Building Carbon Footprint Audit
Intermediate 3 weeks 20-25 hours
Turn a year of utility bills into a building's carbon footprint using EPA emission factors, then recommend the top 3 ways to cut it.
Major
Environmental
Focus area
Sustainability
Total hours
20-25 hours
What you'll need
- Software only - Excel, EPA eGRID emission factors (free), 12 months of utility bills
Steps
- Collect 12 months of electricity and natural gas usage for a school or your home.
- Look up your region's electricity emission factor in EPA eGRID.
- Calculate monthly and yearly CO2e emissions for electricity and gas.
- Chart emissions by month and by source.
- Estimate emissions saved and payback for 3 reduction measures.
- Write a short report and document it for your portfolio.
What to photograph for your portfolio
- Monthly emissions chart
- calculation sheet
- recommendations table
- report cover
Resume bullet starters
Copy one, then swap in your own numbers.
Calculated the annual carbon footprint of a [X] sq ft building at [X] metric tons CO2e using EPA emission factors
Recommended 3 reduction measures projected to cut emissions by [X]% with an average payback of [X] years
Quantified results with [insert your result, such as removal percentage, accuracy, strength, or cost savings] and summarized findings in a technical report
Skills you'll show off
GHG accountingenergy data analysisemission factorscost-benefit analysissustainability reporting