Invista releases LCI calculator for Antron fiber

Atlanta—Invista has added a new online tool it calls the Life Cycle Impact (LCI) calculator. It is designed to show architects, designers and end-users the potential energy and greenhouse gas emissions savings that can be achieved by specifying carpet made with Antron fiber. The LCI calculator provides real-world equations to energy and greenhouse gas emission and how we can all make a difference through the product choices we make.

“Architects, designers and end-users have been impressed with our performance data that shows that carpets made with Antron fiber can last up to 75 % longer than the majority of competitive carpets, which can result in up to 38 % lower energy consumption with 42 % lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said Diane O’Sullivan, global marketing director, commercial interiors, for Invista. “We created the LCI Calculator so they could easily translate the potential energy and greenhouse gas savings into tangible examples that help them, as well as other decision makers in the process, to understand how carpet specification and purchase can affect the environment.”

Users access the calculator, enter the square yards of carpet installed, and select the energy savings or emissions savings button. The online tool then calculates the total potential energy or emissions savings, based on the projected first life of the carpet, and equates it to real-world energy consumption examples such as:

• Number of homes’ total electricity consumption for one year;
• Number of household refrigerators for one year;
• Number of household microwaves for one year;
• Number of household televisions for one year;
• Number of homes’ lighting for one year;
• Number of homes’ central air conditioners for one year, and
• Automobile CO₂ emissions for one year.

Data for calculating real-world example equivalencies for the energy and greenhouse gas emissions savings is based on U.S. Department of Energy data on residential consumption of electricity by end use.

The calculator will be demonstrated at the Greenbuild tradeshow in Chicago, Nov.16 to 18, in Antron carpet fiber booth #2012.

The calculations include assessments of the face fiber, backing materials, carpet manufacturing, transportation of the fiber and finished carpet, and routine scheduled maintenance for 15 years. It also assumes industry average face weight, backing weight and backing type prevalence for commercial/contract carpets.

To access the calculator, click here. It can also be accessed antron.net and antronfirstlife.net.