Do I Need a REScheck?

As adoption of energy code requirements is voluntary (on the part of the state; you however don't have this choice!), states and municipalities may or may not have these requirements.  Increasingly, though, more and more areas are adopting the standard MEC and IECC codes.  Each area will have their own policies regarding what type of compliance analysis they will accept.  Most areas that require energy code compliance will accept MECcheck/COMCcheck, however, call your building department just to be sure.

What is a REScheck?

Commonly used to refer to energy compliance analysis required for many building permit applications, REScheck (previously known as MECcheck)  is actually the name of software designed to compute this analysis, developed and distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Building.  MECexpress utilizes REScheck and COMcheck software completely in line with the guidelines of the US Department of Energy, however we are a private company and neither affiliated with nor sponsored by them.  For more information on REScheck and COMcheck software, visit the Office of Building website.  If your building inspector asked for a MECcheck, rest assured that the REScheck will satisfy their requirements.

What are the Energy Codes?

Building energy codes are an important way that states and municipalities can assure that buildings are relatively energy efficient, and thus provide consumers the assurance that at the time of construction, the buildings complied with standards that were updated for technological changes and current construction practices.  This translates into direct immediate as well as future energy cost controls for the consumer.  Residential codes vary by state and municipality, with the Model Energy Code (MEC)/International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) being the most widely adopted.  The MEC, first established in 1992, contains energy-related building requirements applying to many new U.S. residences.  Commercial or high-rise residential building design most commonly must comply with codes based on the ASHRAE/IES Energy Code for Commercial and High-Rise Residential Buildings or IECC.

How Does Project Submission Work?

It takes only a few minutes to submit your energy code compliance project to MECexpress.  Using our easy step by step submission process, you will submit some basic project information, plans and payment.  After we receive all your project information, we will complete the analysis and deliver your compliance documents by email, fax, mail, or overnight.  Its just that simple.

How Quickly Can MECexpress Deliver my Project's Results?

MECexpress can turn around a compliance analysis in as little as 24 hours from the time we receive all your project information, plans and payment.  If you are requesting rush (24 hours or less) service, a surcharge will apply.  Without rush, compliance analysis should only take a few days to complete. 

What Compliance Documents Will I Receive?

At the conclusion of the energy code compliance analysis, we will provide you with the compliance reports and inspection checklists you need to meet the documentation requirements of building departments requiring MECcheck/REScheck.

In order to issue permits, most building officials now require that in addition to the final architectural plans, specific energy code compliance documentation be included in the plans file, providing information that becomes "incorporated" into the home design and which the building must conform to in order to be in compliance with the energy code.

Many municipalities no longer accept signoffs, compliance letters, and other informal plan review certifications. Our reports provide compliance information with details in the specific format that inspectors asking for MECcheck/REScheck expect.

We will deliver compliance documentation to you by e-mail, fax, regular or priority mail, or overnight service.  We can deliver documentation on electronic files to allow their overlay onto the plans, which is required in many areas.

What are Your Prices?

Check out our price schedule for prices on residential projects.  Prices are based on square footage of heated area to be evaluated.

What if My Project Doesn't Pass?

The fact is, many new homes as designed have difficulty passing stringent energy codes.  We recognize that each building is unique, and look closely at each project to explore solutions to achieve code compliance.  If your project doesn't pass, we don't report that fact and walk away.  We will work to identify ways to adjust the building components or design to ensure energy code compliance.   In most cases, compliance can be achieved with simple, low-cost modifications -- these adjustments can be made and reports regenerated for no charge.  If a project that doesn't pass the initial review requires major re-design, we do charge a "re-analysis" fee, but this is rarely necessary.

While our goal is to get you a passing report, we are equally committed to helping you achieve your objectives for the building -- so that you are not limited by prescriptive energy code requirements.  Whether your goal is to ensure that certain aspects of your building design remain unchanged, to minimize building costs, or to utilize particular materials, we can help you accomplish it.

Will MECexpress Do a Compliance Analysis of My Commercial Project?

At MECexpress, we work on both residential and commercial projects.  Since the scope of commercial projects ranges significantly, we do not publish rate schedules for this type of building.  Please submit a request for a commercial quote.

How Do I Submit a Project?

Submitting your project is fast and easy with MECexpress.  We will walk you through the basic steps:  1) filling out a brief online information form, 2) sending us your plans, by uploading your CAD files or by mailing or faxing us a hard copy of your plans, and 3) sending in payment using your credit card on our secure transaction server or by check through the mail.  For information on the security measures we've taken to ensure that your online payment is safe, click here. Submit your project now!

What if I Don't Have All the Components of My Design Finalized?

If at the time of project submission you have not finalized the window, door, or heating equipment selections for your building design, you may nevertheless submit your project for review.  We will prepare your analysis using default values, and will perform changes free of charge, when the actual values are finalized at any time within six months of your initial submission.  As long as the energy values for the final inputs are the same or better than the default, the analysis results should not be degraded.  Major changes in design measurements do not fall under the changes described here, and such changes will incur a "re-analysis fee". 

What if I Don't Have Plans?

Often clients doing additions, remodels and self-designed projects don't have architectural drawings available.  In such cases, MECexpress is often still able to perform energy code compliance analysis, through a combination of methods such as hand sketches, photos, phone interviews, etc.  If this is your situation, go ahead and submit your project, and indicate on the project information form that you do not have plans.  We will contact you to discuss whether the project information can be collected by phone.

What if my Design Changes After the Project is Completed?

We are aware that often for many reasons, building plans tend to change during the course of a project.  If you need a new MECcheck/REScheck for a building we've already evaluated, we will make most adjustments and regenerate your reports free of charge.   If the changes are major design modifications, we will incorporate these updates and regenerate your reports for a modest "re-analysis" fee.

Is My Project an Addition or a Remodel?

As you may have noticed, our pricing is different for additions and remodels (which are priced like new builds).  For this purpose, we define "addition" as a standalone addition, such as a second floor addition, footprint addition, etc..  A "remodel" is the addition and changing of enough components of an existing house that there is extensive heat exchange with the existing house.  In this case, the entire house will be evaluated, and pricing will be based on the square footage of the entire house.