Download User Manual and Transparency Document

IE4B modeling capacity currently encompasses a building's structure, enclosure, and interior
partitions and doors. Furnishing, most finishes, conveyance systems and mechanical and electrical
equipment are not currently included. Building products can be combined in various ways to model
the vast majority of construction assemblies commonly in use in North America (an estimated 1,500+
combinations using the IE4B built-in elements). The LCA modeling can also optionally include the
operating energy use of the building – energy use is calculated using other means, and fuel
consumption results are entered in the IE4B which will then include the associated LCA impacts of
fuel use in the results.
The IE4B delivers actionable results
Users can view data in a number of different ways. The reporting functions make it easy to find
environmental hot spots and to compare up to five design options simultaneously. When using the
software, users may have two or more building designs already in mind or they may start with a
baseline design and then look at various ways of improving that design’s environmental
performance.
All this for free?
The Athena Institute has a mandate to bring LCA to the construction sector for a verifiably reduced
footprint of the built environment. We believe the best way to do this is by making the IE4B as
accessible as possible. To us, this means keeping it free.
How do we do it? Through the generous support of our funding network: our partners, supporters
and members. In particular, we acknowledge the contributions of Morrison Hershfield, our
collaborative partners in developing the IE4B.
It’s expensive for us to perform on-going development and maintenance of the IE4B and its
underlying databases, and release an update twice a year. We never have quite enough funds to
move as quickly as we’d like to tackle the wish list – please consider joining our family of supporters
(http://www.athenasmi.org/membership/overview/).
How the software works
The IE4B is a desktop software application that runs on most PC platforms. It can also be accessed by
Macintosh users via our server (or can be run on a Macintosh with Windows capability). Download
the software or learn about Mac access by heading to our software web site www.calculatelca.com.
The IE4B has the complex life cycle databases and methodology in the background, meaning the user
need only address inputs about the physical nature of the building. The software is easy to learn and
easy to use. A building is described through various dialogue boxes, with context-specific pop-up
help available for each one. In addition, we offer short video demonstrations and we have an
extensive FAQ section, all accessible at www.calculatelca.com.
See Figure 1 for a diagram of software inputs, outputs and processes.
7