Primary Energy and Environmental Benefits of Natural Gas Direct Use in Buildings

摘要

This paper summarizes the significant primary energy and environmental benefits of selecting high efficiency natural gas equipment instead of electric equipment in residential and commercial markets. Benefits are calculated using "full-fuel-cycle" average and non-baseload source energy and CO_2e emissions factors (including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) for the U.S. power generation mix. Factors for calculating primary energy consumption and related emissions include eGRID sub-region and U.S. average for electricity for all power plants. Factors for nonbaseload power plants include eGRID sub-region and U.S. levels. U.S. average factors are provided for natural gas. Sample calculations illustrate the compelling primary energy and emission reduction benefits (>50% in many cases) of selecting high efficiency natural gas equipment instead of electric resistance equipment in buildings.