We have a steam flow meter. Can we calculate boiler emissions from steam instead of fuel?
Calculate emissions from fuel, not steam. Scope 1 is the fuel burnt times its emission factor; the steam meter tells you how well the boiler converts fuel to steam. Use steam readings to check fuel records, to work out CO2 per tonne of steam, and to split emissions between departments.
What each record is for
- Fuel records: Scope 1 emissions.
- Steam meter: efficiency, CO2 per tonne of steam, allocation to products or units.
- Both together: a cross-check that catches missing fuel invoices.
When steam is the only data
If fuel records are missing for a month, estimate fuel from steam and a measured boiler efficiency, and label the figure as an estimate.
Meter care
Steam meters drift. Keep the calibration date and compare monthly steam per tonne of fuel; a sudden change usually means the meter, not the boiler.
What Senseible does here
Senseible reads fuel invoices, gas bills and delivery documents into dated, fingerprinted records, so each tonne of CO2 traces back to the document behind it.
Sources: IPCC 2006 Guidelines, Volume 2 Energy, GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Last reviewed 2026-10-22.