BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — Siemens Building Technologies announced that it has introduced the Environmental Impact Calculator, a new app available free-of-charge through the Apple Store. Siemens’ new tool allows facility managers and others to estimate a building’s baseline carbon footprint from purchased electricity, natural gas, and heating oil. In addition, users can measure the impact of energy efficiency improvements on an annual basis or throughout the length of a given project’s term.

“Quantifying the impact of energy consumption and energy conservation efforts in terms of greenhouse gas emissions is the easiest way to measure environmental impact,” said Ari Kobb, director, Sustainability & Green Building Solutions. “This new tool provides a simple way for users to create a simple carbon footprint for buildings, measure carbon savings, and easily convert that information into easily understood equivalencies.”

The calculator will convert building energy consumption data into relevant comparisons including the number of cars and light trucks removed from the road, the number of acres of forest absorbing carbon, and barrels of oil consumed. Results can be used to communicate reduction targets, develop a greenhouse gas reduction strategy, or support a range of initiatives to reduce a building’s environmental impact.