What's New in COMcheck™

Significant changes made to each COMcheck release are identified below, with the most recent version listed first.

COMcheck 3.6.1 (April 2009)

COMcheck version 3.6.1 removes Massachusetts as a customized state code and redirects users to the 2006 IECC code to show compliance in Massachusetts locations. Projects located in Chicago, IL are redirected to comply with 2006 IECC as well. The mechanical system inputs have been extensively redesigned so that numeric inputs are specified. A modification to the calculations that consider projection factors credit under the 2004 and 2006 IECC codes were made to control an overcounting of their influence.

COMcheck 3.6.0 (September 2008)

COMcheck version 3.6.0 introduces the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 code. Included in the 90.1-2007 code implementation is the option for input of high albedo roof assemblies. The high albedo roof option has also been implemented under the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 code. Lighting component options have been upgraded to more accurately reflect currently available technologies. Mechanical report checklist items and mandatory requirements have been reviewed and upgraded. The Massachusetts state code will be discontinued in March 2009 when users will be directed to comply with the 2006 IECC code. The Minnesota whole building menu list was redesigned to make selection easier and consistent with floor area input. Numerous user interface and report modifications have been included that aim to address user-identified requests and/or improve usability of the software and reports.

COMcheck 3.5.3 (June 2008)

Version 3.5.3 includes the following: Automatic and manual software version checking is now incorporated into the software. The Georgia state code option has been modified such that it is based on 90.1-2004 and has Georgia-specific metal building U-value calculations and amendments to mechanical equipment efficiency. To allow users the option of more fully describing building area categories under the 2003 and 2004 IECC, the multifamily area category option has been added to the list of use areas although there are no lighting power density requirements for living units.

COMcheck 3.5.2 (December 2007)

Version 3.5.2 provides the following modifications: Temporary report file names now have "time-stamps" included with them to prevent generation of corrupt PDF files. The New Hampshire state code option has been added and is based on the 2006 IECC code. The exterior lighting features were enabled for alterations projects using the 90.1-2004 code base. The application shutdown caused by saving data files without any exterior uses defined was fixed. Various changes were made to the implementation of the New York state code so that it would recognize 2003 IECC whole building and area category types. Various application run-time and installation changes were made including upgrading the Java run-time engine and specification and arrangement of the COMcheck startup shortcuts.

COMcheck 3.5.1 (October 2007)

Version 3.5.1 upgrade fixes a lighting compliance report error when “Whole Building” project types are specified.

COMcheck 3.5.0 (October 2007)

Version 3.5.0 upgrade introduces the external lighting compliance feature for the IECC 2006 and 90.1-2004 codes. Also included is an update of the New York code to be based on IECC 2003 .

COMcheck 3.4.2 (July 2007)

Version 3.4.2 includes a minor upgrade to COMcheck introduces the following Code menu options: "Pima, AZ - IECC 2006 at locations > 4000 feet", "Pima, AZ - IECC 2006 at locations <= 4000 feet" and the "Sustainable Energy Standard". Each of these code selections are based on the IECC 2006 code. This minor upgrade also addresses a problem when Massachusetts state code is used and changes are made to the building use after lighting allowances have been claimed. It also fixes a mass wall "insulation not required" bug in climate zones "3a - warm/humid" and 3b.

COMcheck 3.4.1 (April 2007)

Version 3.4.1 includes a more defined range for HVAC cooling capacities. This version also changes whole building types to operate similar to area category types such that each type is added to the lighting screen and lighting fixtures are assigned to the appropriate whole building type(s).

COMcheck 3.4.0 (March 2007)

Version 3.4.0 includes support for 2006 IECC. The "Spaces" lighting option has been removed. In its place, area categories will automatically be added to the lighting screen fixture table when specifying an area category building type project. Lighting fixtures must now be added to the different building uses in the fixture table.

COMcheck 3.3.1 (October 2006)

Version 3.3.1 fixes several minor issues related to HVAC Economizer inputs when a cooling system with water-cooled condenser type has been specified. Several changes were made to report generation processes. In particular these changes pertained to system requirements for "Other" system types, formatting of checklist requirements, and erroneous messaging of missing or complete HVAC system details.

COMcheck 3.3.0 (September 2006)

Version 3.3.0 includes a new Preferences feature that allows users to preselect certain settings in the software. Another new feature is the Beyond Code Advisor that provides links to pertinent and current information on different energy topics and building practices beyond the scope of simply complying with energy code requirements. The RTF report option has been added back into the software with this release.

COMcheck 3.2.1 (April 2006)

Version 3.2.1 fixes a software bug related to basement wall trade-off calculation in ASHRAE 90.1-1999 and 2004 IECC based codes. This update includes new mechanical equipment efficiencies effective as of January 23, 2006 for split system and single package air-conditioners and heat pumps in ASHRAE 90.1-1999 based codes and Vermont state code. This update includes minor user interface enhancements and provides more flexibility in claiming lighting allowances for "Retail Merchandise Highlighting".

COMcheck 3.2.0 (February 2006)

Version 3.2.0 includes support for 2004 IECC. The Vermont state code has been updated with the 2005 Vermont Guidelines for Energy Efficiency. The Georgia state code has been updated to be based on ASHRAE 90.1-2004 along with additional menu options for metal building roof. This software update also includes minor bug fixes in alterations and lighting allowances.

COMcheck 3.1 Release 1 (November 2005)

With this release of the software, the name changes from COMcheck-EZ to COMcheck. Compliance for ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 is added and alterations are supported in ASHRAE 90.1-1999/2000/2004. Based on a recent ASHRAE interpretation, below-grade wall areas are now included in the window-wall ratio calculation for ASHRAE 90.1-1999/2001/2004 Standards. This release also includes the newly redesigned Project Details section to more easily facilitate online permitting. Compliance reports are now generated and saved in PDF format, and a PDF Reader is required to View/Print the reports. Louisiana has been removed from the Code menu, and those users are now directed to select ASHRAE 90.1-2001.

COMcheck-EZ 3.0 Release 2b (June 2005)

Version 3.0 Release 2b fixes a software bug related to skylight trade-off calculation in ASHRAE 90.1-1999 and ASHRAE 90.1-2001.

COMcheck-EZ 3.0 Release 2a (May 2005)

Version 3.0 Release 2a addresses a number of minor issues related to the Minnesota code and daylight credit inputs (DLCF and VLT). Users selecting the state of Colorado are now directed to use the IECC 2003 code and Colorado has been removed from the Code menu option.

COMcheck-EZ 3.0 Release 2 (January 2005)

Version 3.0 Release 2 provides users with the ability to email compliance reports directly to their code official or energy compliance office. The user interface and runtime engine have been updated to resolve minor user-interface and updating issues.

COMcheck-EZ 3.0 Release 1a (October 2004)

Version 3.0 Release 1a fixes the New York state version to be based on 2001 IECC. This update provides a new 'Page Setup' feature to select network printers and modify page layout for compliance reports. The Java Run Time engine has been updated to resolve minor user-interface problems.

COMcheck-EZ 3.0 Release 1 (July 2004)

Version 3.0 Release 1 has a new graphical user-interface developed in Java to support both Windows and Macintosh computers. The mechanical wizard has been replaced with a table similar to envelope and lighting folders. This update includes support for 2003 IECC. The New York state code version has been updated to be based on 2003 IECC.

COMcheck-EZ 2.5 Release 1a (March 2004)

Version 2.5 Release 1a includes an update of the mechanical requirement for 2001 IECC, a bug fix to basement window trade-off calculation for ASHRAE 90.1-1999/2001 and minor user-interface enhancements.

COMcheck-EZ 2.5 Release 1 (November 2003)

Version 2.5 Release 1 includes support for the ASHRAE 90.1-2001. This update includes a bug fix for skylight calculations in the ASHRAE 90.1-1999 version and minor user-interface enhancements. Users can now specify a project type - either 'New Construction' or 'Addition'.

COMcheck-EZ 2.4 Release 2c (June 2003)

Version 2.4 Release 2c permits users to input curtain walls as 'Other' above-grade walls in 90.1-1989 based codes. This version also fixes a software bug related to projection factors greater than 0.5 in the 90.1-1999 based codes.

COMcheck-EZ 2.4 Release 2b (April 2003)

Version 2.4 Release 2b fixes a problem with the weather data files and now provides the correct zone numbers consistent with the IECC climate zones.

The Massachusetts version of the software has been revised with weather data based on the IECC climate zones. Some Massachusetts locations that had different zone assignments and weather data in Version 2.4 Releases 2 and 2a have been updated.

COMcheck-EZ 2.4 Release 2a (January 2003)

Version 2.4 Release 2a includes Georgia as an option in the Code menu to support the Georgia Commercial code based on the ASHRAE 90.1-1999.

COMcheck-EZ 2.4 Release 2 (December 2002)

Version 2.4 Release 2 includes several changes to the ASHRAE 90.1-1999 implementation with support for Semi-Heated Spaces, new checklist items for envelope, lighting and mechanical compliance certificates. Power System requirements have been added to the lighting compliance certificate.

All compliance certificates have been revised for consistency and ease of use.

The New York code version of the software has been updated with a revised trade-off calculation for buildings with a very low percentage of glazing.

The COMcheck-EZ weather data file has been updated and now contains about 22,000 cities.

COMcheck-EZ 2.4 Release 1 (June 2002)

Version 2.4 Release 1 now includes the 2001 IECC and Vermont state code. The Mechanical section for ASHRAE 90.1-1999 has also been added.

The Mechanical compliance report has been simplified separating the compliance check list and the requirements description. Minor user-interface changes and bug fixes are included in this new version.

COMcheck-EZ 2.3 Release 1 (February 2002)

Version 2.3 Release 1 now contains ASHRAE 90.1-1999 for demonstrating Envelope and Lighting compliance. The Mechanical section will be added in a future release.

The following new state codes have also been added:

Proposed New York State Energy Code
Colorado Commercial Code
Louisiana Commercial Code

COMcheck 2.3 includes minor interface enhancements, including an update wizard which allows the user to check on the Internet for new releases.

COMcheck-EZ 2.2 Release 1a (March 2001)

Version 2.2 Release 1a modifies the maximum allowable skylight U-factor for the Massachusetts Energy Code for Commercial and High-Rise Residential New Construction.

COMcheck-EZ 2.2 Release 1

Version 2.2 Release 1 reflects revisions to the Massachusetts Energy Code for Commercial and High-Rise Residential New Construction.

COMcheck-EZ 2.1 Release 1b (July 2000)

Version 2.1 Release 1b fixed the following problems:

Water heating inputs on the Mechanical screen were not being saved to the data file in Release 1a.
Users had a problem creating data files with parenthesis in the file name.

COMcheck-EZ 2.1 Release 1a

Version 2.1 Release 1a contains very minor modifications including slightly modified Cut, Copy and Paste functionality and the addition of a Delete Rows and Duplicate Rows feature. The Minnesota Exterior Lighting Mandatory Requirements were revised. The Mechanical help screens for the 1998 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) on systems using WinHelp, which were previously not being displayed, were fixed so they were displayed.

COMcheck-EZ 2.1 Release 1

Version 2.1 Release 1 introduces a Code menu with options for choosing between the following commercial energy codes:

ASHRAE 90.1 ('89) Code
Massachusetts
Minnesota
1998 IECC
2000 IECC

The 90.1-89 code option selects the code implemented in previous COMcheck-EZ versions. The Massachusetts and Minnesota options implement those state's commercial energy codes. The 1998 and 2000 IECC options implement the IECCs for commercial buildings.

The output reports in Version 2.1 were enhanced and provide additional information. The online help system was also enhanced and includes context-sensitive help for all of the supported codes.

COMcheck-EZ 2.0 Release 2b (July 1999)

Two users of Version 2.0 Release 2 reported incompatibilities with their video display drivers, resulting in the program failing to run. Release 2b corrected these incompatibilities. There are no functional changes from Release 2 to Release 2b. If users have not had difficulties running Release 2, there is no reason to upgrade to Release 2b.

COMcheck-EZ 2.0 Release 2

The dependency on ODBC32.DLL was removed. Release 1 required this .dll to be on the user's system.
Several options from the View menu were moved to a newly created Options menu. The functionality of the options did not change.
Lighting Exemptions were added to the Options menu.
The Compliance Index, which occasionally was not displayed on the screen in Release 1, was fixed.

COMcheck-EZ 2.0 Release 1

COMcheck-EZ 2.0 removed support for DOS and Windows 3.x. Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, or greater are required for all COMcheck-EZ 2.0 and later versions.
Significant User Interface changes were made.
Complex mechanical systems support was added.
Whole-building and area categories for envelope and lighting were combined.
The on-line help system was greatly enhanced.