Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide First Edition

Primary Resources: Estimating Life-Cycle Impacts
Quantitative life-cycle assessment (LeA) involves an objectIVe comparison of alternative
design and construction practices. It relies on models and database-driven
tools to analyze the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a
product. process, or service. Several tools can help project teams conduct life-cycle
assessments;
• BEES 4.0 (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability). This software
tool hel ps balance the environmental and economic performance of building products.
It is based on consensus standards and designed to be practical, flexible, consistent,
and transparent. Visit http://www,wbdp,,QrgltoolslbE!es.php.
• Construction carbon calculator. This Web-based tool helps developers, builders,
architects, and land planners estimate the net embodied carbon of a project's
structures and site. Visit http://buildcarbonneutral,org/.
• ATH ENA EcoCaltulator for Assemblies. This tool is used by architects. engineers,
and other building professionals to characterize hundreds of design options based on
databases, such as the U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory Database from the Department of
Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Visit http://www,athenasmLQrg/tools/
docs/EcoCalcu lator FactSheet. pdf .
• EPEAT. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool assists with the
evaluation. comparison, and selection of computers and monitors based on their
environmental attributes. See http://www,eoeat.neV.
Materials and Resources 57