REScheck vs. Ekotrope
What are REScheck and Ekotrope?
A plan review is the process of us examining your blue prints and entering all necessary data (i.e. insulation, window, glass door values) from the plans and/or our Items Needed List into one of two modeling software programs for residential construction, REScheck or Ekotrope. This process allows us to generate a Compliance Report from either program; the report attached to the plans is one of the items city officials check for when the builder submits the plans for approval in order to obtain a permit.
What is the difference between the two?
REScheck was developed by the Department of Energy and allows for a general assessment of a homes energy efficiency in terms of its ceiling insulation, exterior walls, windows, and doors. Through the program's UA (U-factor x Area) alternative option, values are entered for all ceilings, exterior walls, floors, windows and exterior doors. REScheck evaluates the data and generates an average score. It then compares the score with a model house that meets minimum code requirements and serves as a bench mark or starting point. The difference between the two scores is expressed as a percentage i.e. "9 percent better than code." REScheck leaves minimal wiggle room for builders to use any materials that do not meet the code requirements.
Ekotrope allows for a more detailed look at a project's building elements than REScheck. Ekotrope can accept information about the ceilings, exterior walls, floors, windows and exterior doors, but it also gives builders credit for porch overhangs, roof and paint colors, the appliances being used, lighting fixtures, HVAC and water heating equipment, etc. Due to Ekotrope taking into account more detailed and accurate information about the building structure's energy efficiency factors, the software generally shows a greater difference between the model/bench mark home and the real house's energy efficiency. A home showing 9 percent better than code under REScheck could potentially score 25% better than code using Ekotrope. Ekotrope also generates an overall rating for the home known as a HERS/Index rating. Various loans and programs (such as VA loans and Energy Star Version 3.2) have HERS Index limits that cannot be exceeded if the home is going to demonstrate compliance with their requirements. Additionally, some jurisdictions are now, or soon will be, accepting a HERS Index of 65 or lower as another way to demonstrate IECC code compliance.
Which should I use?
The software program that will best meet each builder's needs depends on several factors.
A plan review is the process of us examining your blue prints and entering all necessary data (i.e. insulation, window, glass door values) from the plans and/or our Items Needed List into one of two modeling software programs for residential construction, REScheck or Ekotrope. This process allows us to generate a Compliance Report from either program; the report attached to the plans is one of the items city officials check for when the builder submits the plans for approval in order to obtain a permit.
What is the difference between the two?
REScheck was developed by the Department of Energy and allows for a general assessment of a homes energy efficiency in terms of its ceiling insulation, exterior walls, windows, and doors. Through the program's UA (U-factor x Area) alternative option, values are entered for all ceilings, exterior walls, floors, windows and exterior doors. REScheck evaluates the data and generates an average score. It then compares the score with a model house that meets minimum code requirements and serves as a bench mark or starting point. The difference between the two scores is expressed as a percentage i.e. "9 percent better than code." REScheck leaves minimal wiggle room for builders to use any materials that do not meet the code requirements.
Ekotrope allows for a more detailed look at a project's building elements than REScheck. Ekotrope can accept information about the ceilings, exterior walls, floors, windows and exterior doors, but it also gives builders credit for porch overhangs, roof and paint colors, the appliances being used, lighting fixtures, HVAC and water heating equipment, etc. Due to Ekotrope taking into account more detailed and accurate information about the building structure's energy efficiency factors, the software generally shows a greater difference between the model/bench mark home and the real house's energy efficiency. A home showing 9 percent better than code under REScheck could potentially score 25% better than code using Ekotrope. Ekotrope also generates an overall rating for the home known as a HERS/Index rating. Various loans and programs (such as VA loans and Energy Star Version 3.2) have HERS Index limits that cannot be exceeded if the home is going to demonstrate compliance with their requirements. Additionally, some jurisdictions are now, or soon will be, accepting a HERS Index of 65 or lower as another way to demonstrate IECC code compliance.
Which should I use?
The software program that will best meet each builder's needs depends on several factors.
- Many cities are satisfied with a REScheck compliance report showing the home meets their city's current code standards. In this situation, if you are planning on building according to the IECC's prescriptive minimum requirements, REScheck will work just fine for you.
- However, some cities have written amendments requiring a home's compliance report demonstrate that when the home is built it will be, "X% better than code." In that situation, if the builder is trying to use certain building materials right at or possibly below the IECC's minimum prescriptive requirements for the insulation, doors or windows, etc. Ekotrope will be the best option.
- If the builder is trying to meet a particular HERS Index rating for a specific type of loan, or program, or as an alternative method of code compliance, only Ekotrope will generate a HERS Index value.
- Still unsure which program to ask for? Just call us!