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C4B vs DesignBuilder Climate Analytics

C4B vs DesignBuilder Climate Analytics

DesignBuilder Climate Analytics is a web app for finding, analysing and morphing weather data for simulation. C4B uses site climate data to produce design analyses and a report for the earliest decisions.

Last checked13 October 2026

C4B and DesignBuilder Climate Analytics at a glance

AspectC4BDesignBuilder Climate Analytics
TypeWeb app, in the browserWeb app for weather data, analysis and morphing
PriceFree plan; paid plans from €59/month (cancellation takes effect after 12 billing cycles) or €599/year, with a 7-day free trial€895 for a one-year single-user licence with 150 download credits; free licence with limited functionality
Choosing the locationSearch an address or click the map; no weather file neededAny site worldwide, with interpolated virtual stations
Weather dataNearest weather station file (Climate.OneBuilding.Org, usually TMYx) plus, in projects, EPW files built from site-specific reanalysis (ERA5 / ERA5-Land, CERRA, NORA3) at the exact coordinatesWeather stations and NASA MERRA-2 reanalysis for actual years
PrecipitationMonthly totals and rain event intensity from NOAA rain gauges near the site; in projects, site-specific reanalysis at the exact coordinates and a rainfall record from 1941Counts of days with fog, rain or snow in the paid Analysis tab; precipitation depth in design-year EPW files
Future climateSSP1-1.9 to SSP5-8.5, any year from 2025 to 2100, in projects on paid plansMorphing with IPCC climate projection models
Outdoor comfortUTCI outdoor comfort, including on the Free planNot stated on the pages we reviewed
Passive design strategies (indoor)Passive Design Strategies for Indoor Environments, with seven strategies per bioclimatic method, in projects on paid plans; the chart with the strategy zones drawn on it in the Designer module on Technical and EnterpriseNot provided
Energy analysisPreliminary hourly energy balance; orientation and aspect-ratio optimization and window shading recommendations (five fixed devices on eight facades) in projects on paid plansWeather files for energy simulation
Design directionIndoor passive design strategies, outdoor comfort strategies, building orientation and aspect ratio, PV panel orientation and window shading recommendations, in projects on paid plansNot provided: it helps choose design weather data for simulation
Accessibility of outputGraphics and data interpretation are targeted at laypeople, and can be read by architects and building developers, in addition to more technical personnelDeveloped for building energy modellers; the output is mainly EPW files for simulation
OutputsInteractive charts; written readings on most charts in projects and a PDF report on paid plans; EPW downloads on Technical and EnterpriseEPW weather files

Where DesignBuilder Climate Analytics is strong

  • Hourly weather data for any site worldwide, drawn from tens of thousands of stations, with virtual stations interpolated where none is nearby.
  • Actual-year data from NASA's MERRA-2 reanalysis.
  • Future climate morphing based on IPCC projection models, and urban heat island adjustments.
  • EPW files that fit straight into EnergyPlus and DesignBuilder workflows.

Where C4B takes a different approach

  • Focuses on design analyses for architects (climate zone, wind, sun, comfort, precipitation, passive strategies, energy balance), with written readings and a PDF report in projects on paid plans.
  • In projects, uses ERA5 / ERA5-Land reanalysis worldwide, with CERRA in Europe and NORA3 in northern Europe, next to the nearest station file.
  • Adds UTCI outdoor comfort, Köppen-Geiger climate zones to 2100 and a psychrometric chart with passive design strategies, not only weather data.

DesignBuilder Climate Analytics may suit you better if

  • You are an energy modeller who needs design-year, actual-year or future EPW files for simulation.
  • You work in DesignBuilder or EnergyPlus.

C4B may suit you better if

  • You need to understand and communicate a site's climate before any energy model exists.
  • You want outdoor comfort and climate zones with written explanations, next to passive design strategies.

See your site's climate before design begins

Pin any location and get climate, comfort and preliminary energy insight your whole team can read. Start with a 7-day free trial, or book a 30-minute demo.

Free plan; paid plans from €59/month (cancellation takes effect after 12 billing cycles) or €599/year, with a 7-day free trial. No card required. If you add a card during the trial, the plan is charged when the trial ends; otherwise your account moves to the Free plan. See all plans.

start 7-day free trialbook a 30 min demo

Frequently asked questions

Can C4B produce EPW files for energy simulation?

Yes, on the Technical and Enterprise plans: a custom EPW builder (typical, hot, cold and extreme years) and future-climate EPW files.

Do both tools use reanalysis data?

Yes, with different datasets: DesignBuilder Climate Analytics uses NASA's MERRA-2 for actual years, while C4B uses ERA5 / ERA5-Land, CERRA and NORA3.

Which one is for architects?

C4B is built for architects and design teams at the concept stage. DesignBuilder Climate Analytics is aimed at preparing weather data for simulation.

Sources

Information about DesignBuilder Climate Analytics comes from its official website and documentation, checked on 13 October 2026. Products change, so check the official site for the latest details. DesignBuilder Climate Analytics belongs to DesignBuilder Software Ltd; C4B is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.

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