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A flexible approach for demonstrating compliance with the thermal shell requirements of the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) Model Energy Code (MEC), 1992, 1993, and 1995 editions as well as the 1998 and 2000 editions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Appropriate for thermal shell trade-off calculations in typical single-family and multifamily residential buildings. Allows quick comparison of different insulation levels to select a package that works best for the building. Determines compliance by comparing the total heat loss (represented as UA) through the building envelope to the heat loss through an equivalent code building. Automatically generates the forms that must be submitted for the plan review.
Keywords
energy code compliance, residential buildings, codes training, energy savings
Validation/Testing
N/A
Expertise Required
Well documented; very little computer experience required.
Users
More than 100,000
Audience
Residential builders, designers, and code enforcement personnel.
Input
Component types (e.g., ceiling with attic), insulation R-values, glazing and door U-values, building location, and heating equipment efficiency (optional).
Output
Automatically generates a report which can be submitted for plan review; lists project data and compliance results.
Computer Platform
PC (Windows NT/95/98/2000/XP), Mac (OS 8/9/X). Also available as a web-based software.
Programming Language
C++, Java
Strengths
Provides great flexibility while requiring a minimum amount of time and effort to learn and operate; has an easy-to-use, mouse-driven user interface similar to that of Microsoft Windows; comes with an installation program and a software user's guide but is easy to use by referring to the one-page "REScheck Software--Quick Start" instructions.
Weaknesses
Performs thermal shell trade-off calculations, but does not give a detailed explanation of the other requirements found in the MEC/IECC. The REScheck software user�s guide (which can be downloaded from this web page) includes more detailed information about these other requirements.
Contact
Availability
Available free of charge through the Building Energy Codes Program web site.
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