REScheck Building Energy Codes Program

REScheck Building Energy Codes Program

Written by Jobe Leonard of Rescheck.info. Jobe enjoys all things related to Rescheck reporting and the study of home energy audit softwares like Rescheck, Comcheck, and Manual J.

Summary of REScheck Building Energy Codes Program

What it is: REScheck is a software program used to determine if a residential building meets energy efficiency requirements of International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or other state energy codes.

How it works: REScheck software calculates the total heat loss (UA) of a building based on its location, size, and building materials. This UA is then compared to a code-compliant building model. If the building’s UA is lower or equal, it meets the energy code.

Rescheck Software Options:  

RESCheckWeb Login https://energycode.pnl.gov/REScheckWeb

Rescheck Desktop Download: https://www.energycodes.gov/software-tools

Benefits:

• Nationally recognized way to show compliance for new homes, additions, and alterations.

• Helps design energy-efficient buildings, reducing energy consumption and utility costs.

How to get a REScheck report:

• Do-It-Yourself: Use REScheck software (REScheckWeb or Desktop) if you understand the software and calculations. Resources like Rescheck.info’s Reschexpert blog can help you learn.  This is a great place to start.  If you can do the Rescheck it can be a very fast endeavor as long as you understand the software and calculations of the individual components.

• Rescheck Service: Companies like Rescheck.info can create a report for you based on your building plans, address, and square footage.

Where to use REScheck:

• All 50 states can use REScheck in some form, except for California, Oregon, and Virginia (according to Department of Energy).
• Local building departments may still allow REScheck for these states to show compliance with IECC codes.
• Basically, all in 50 states you can Rescheck in some form to show energy code compliance. The main exceptions are California, Oregon, and Virginia. However, this is only a state adopted issue. A local building inspector may allow you to use Rescheck to show compliance to an IECC energy code like IECC 2021.

• Although the Department of Energy lists California, Oregon, and Virginia as states where Rescheck is not applicable, the states are available within both Rescheck Web and Rescheck Desktop. There is nothing stopping you for creating a Rescheck for these states. As a matter of fact, I have also seen specific building departments require Rescheck and created reports for permitting in each one of these states in the past. So it is not common to see a Rescheck in California, Oregon, or Virginia, but it is also not unheard of.

Overall: REScheck is a valuable tool for ensuring energy-efficient buildings. It’s easy to use and can be completed quickly by professionals or DIYers with some knowledge.  Rescheck is a great program that has advanced building energy codes to levels never seen in the history of humanity. Rescheck.info offers a Rescheck service and if you need on created then email you pdf plans, jobsite address, and square footage to service@rescheck.info and we will get you taken care of.