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Calling all those with meter readings for the last year
Thread started on 18/7/2008 14:03

simon_gooden

other

Hello everyone,

I’m a student studying climate change and sustainable development. I’m currently writing my disertation and need your help. My focus is improving the accuracy of estimated carbon calculator (for home energy use) by compaing them to meter readings for gas and electric.

What I require from people is that they answer a short questionaire for me. This is basically a number of calcualtors combined with a section for entering your meter readings. The main requirement of participants is that they have recorded their gas and electric meter readings for the last year.

Any help would be fantastic and I will post you the stamps to return the survey to me. My email address is: simongooden@hotmail.com

Simon

‹ August meeting? Minutes of iCRAG settlement meeting on 21st July 2008 ›
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Fill in my form online

written on 26/7/2008 16:10

simon_gooden

Below is a link for those who are interested in filling out my quick survey. It will only take ten minutes or so. My hope work hopes to improve the accuracy of carbon calculators.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RG_2fMBoLMLzsMyy6Bm3GUMA_3d_3d

 
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Survey done

written on 27/7/2008 16:29

sandersp

Hi Simon,
I have completed the online survey and would be interested in seeing the results once you have had a chance to collate them. Good luck with the MSc.
Peter

 
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is accuracy of carbon calulators important?

written on 27/7/2008 10:22

john ackers

john ackers

Simon. Surveys are incredibly time consuming. Do you choose this project because it is statistically or mathematically interesting or do you believe that the inaccuracies of existing carbon calculators (based on estimates) discourage people from making lifestyle changes. Also people in CRAGs are likely to have lower emissions that the average person living in the same property

 
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carbon calculators

written on 27/7/2008 10:41

John Cossham

John Cossham

I too would like to make time to do this but haven’t got the time to dig out old meter readings (this is why I like the online ‘Carbon Account’) and I agree with JA’s views.

I believe that all carbon calculators are just estimates, guestimates, approximations based on existing knowledge and assumptions and the data you decide to put in. I have used several and all give quite different figures (0.09 t/y to 0.65 t/y for me as an individual) and of course they measure (sorry, estimate, sorry, guess) different things about our lifestyles.

The real benefit of them is to compare your figures with others using the same calculator, ie within a CRAG or between CRAGS, or to see your increase or decrease in emissions over time. I suggest to others that they try several as it helps you think around the subject and this may encourage people to make positive changes to their life.

I would however like to see C calculators become more accurate and may yet find/make the time to help Simon with his research.
John

 
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