CARMEC Study
California Residential Methane Emissions Characterization (CARMEC) Study
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), in partnership with RHA Inc. and PSE Healthy Energy, is conducting a field study to gather data from California homes on methane emissions from gas appliances.
Who is funding this study?
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is funding Berkeley Lab to conduct this research study to measure methane emissions from gas appliances in California homes. We are interested in quantifying methane emissions because it is a greenhouse gas and contributes to our state's emissions.
Who can participate?
In current phase of the project, we are looking for homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area and nearby areas (within about 60 miles from Berkeley) who have two or more of the following gas appliances:
- Gas outdoor grill connected to a gas line (NOT propane tank)
- Gas pool or hot tub heater
- Gas fireplace (can be indoor fireplace or outdoor fireplace)
Our study is limited to single-family houses only. We plan to include other types of homes (apartments, for example) in future phases of our project.
How long does this take?
Our two-person field team will visit your home for up to 4 hours to measure methane emissions from two or more of your gas appliances. If you have other gas appliances in your homes, such as a gas water heater or gas clothes dryer, our field team will ask for your permission to measure emissions from them if time permits.
What will we measure?
Our field team will operate your gas appliances and measure methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations using a gas analyzer.
In addition to the emission measurements, our field team will also record information about your gas appliances, such as brand name, model number, appliance age and condition.
How will we use your data?
Berkeley Lab researchers will use data measured by the gas analyzer to calculate methane emissions from gas appliances when they are in use and when they are idling. Your data will be added to other measurements being collected from homes in California to estimate the contribution to our state's greenhouse gas emissions.
What will I learn from participating?
We plan to published our analysis of de-identified results from this field study in 2025. You will not receive an individualized report from the measurements.
What do I get for participating?
Participating homeowners will receive $80 as an incentive.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This incentive is NOT available to Berkeley Lab employee or other federal employee. Participants are asked to let the research team know whether they are eligible to receive the study incentive or not.
Will others know that I participated?
Published results will only include general information about participating homes and their gas appliances included in emission estimates. We will not disclose identifiable information, such as your name or contact information, with anyone.
While our field team will take photos for documentation, any identifying features will be removed if your photos are used in publications.
Who can I contact to learn more about the study?
Please contact research study lead, Rengie Chan at wrchan@lbl.gov or 510-486-6570.