# Background Information

# GHG Emission Factors

Emission factors are from the most recent version of the Australian Government's publication: National Greenhouse Account Factors (opens new window). The factors used in this engine are:

Energy Source Emission Factor
Purchased electricity (Victoria) 0.79 kg CO2e/kWh
Natural (fossil) gas distributed in a pipeline 51.53 kg CO2e/GJ
Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) 60.60 kg CO2e/GJ
Wood 1.2 kg CO2e/GJ

# Occupancy Rates

Occupancy rates for different building types are built into the tool. These are used for the Energy and Water calculations, and in the Urban Ecology section for the communal spaces and food production credits.

# Dwellings

Occupant density for residential building types is derived from ABS data.

The occupancy formula is derived from the floor area. For dwellings less than 38.6 sqm, occupancy is assumed to be 1 person. Over 587.5 sqm, occupancy is assumed to be 5 people. In between these values, the following logarithmic formula is used, Occupancy = 1.471271*LN(Area)-4.375381.

# Non-residential spaces

Occupant density for non-residential building types is informed by the National Construction Code and AS1668.2 (Mechanical Ventilation of Buildings).

Space Type Assumed occupancy (sqm per occupant)
Office 10
Shop, retail, café 5
Laboratory or warehouse 20
Unconditioned Warehouse / factory 50
Unconditioned Showroom / Machine Shop 20
Public building 5
Other non-residential building 20