In the world of building design and construction, meeting energy efficiency standards is crucial for ensuring sustainability and regulatory compliance. Adhering to these codes supports environmental goals and safeguards against operational inefficiencies and potential legal issues.  

Two of the most widely used compliance methods in the United States—REScheck for residential buildings and COMcheck for commercial structures—offer a streamlined approach to navigating these energy codes. Each method provides a framework for evaluating a building’s energy performance, from insulation and HVAC efficiency to lighting and building envelope integrity.  

By understanding and utilizing REScheck and COMcheck, builders and designers can efficiently meet code requirements, reduce energy consumption, and prevent costly setbacks that could arise from non-compliance.  

Whether you're focused on a single-family home or a large commercial project, these methods make energy code compliance more accessible, ultimately supporting a healthier and more sustainable built environment. 

What is REScheck?

REScheck is a user-friendly compliance tool developed by the U.S. Department of Energy to help residential builders and designers quickly assess and document energy code compliance.  REScheck reviews critical design elements like insulation, window efficiency, and building envelope tightness. 

Purpose of REScheck

REScheck is an essential compliance guideline for architects focused on achieving code-compliant, energy-efficient designs for residential buildings. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, REScheck ensures that residential projects—such as single-family homes, multi-family units, and low-rise residential buildings—meet the energy efficiency standards required by local and state codes.  

Architects rely on REScheck to assess key design elements, including insulation R-values, window U-factors, and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC), to confirm that these components collectively contribute to a building envelope optimized for energy conservation. This tool allows architects to validate their designs early in the project, reducing the risk of costly modifications. 

For architects, REScheck offers more than just compliance; it provides insights into how design choices affect energy performance, helping them make informed decisions that enhance building efficiency and occupant comfort.

By meeting REScheck’s criteria, architects avoid potential code-related setbacks while also contributing to broader sustainability goals, making it an invaluable tool for both code compliance and responsible design practices. 

How REScheck Works: Elements Assessed for Residential Compliance

REScheck evaluates several specific aspects of a residential building to determine compliance with energy codes. These include: 

• Insulation: The insulation levels in walls, ceilings, and floors are assessed based on R-values, which measure resistance to heat flow. Higher R-values indicate better insulation, helping maintain indoor temperatures and reduce energy use. 

• Windows and Doors: The program checks the window and door types, focusing on factors like U-factor (thermal transmittance) and SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient). Low U-factor windows, for example, help prevent heat loss in cold winters, while SHGC values control solar heat gain, which is essential for hot climates. 

• Building Envelope Tightness: REScheck evaluates the building’s ability to resist air leakage, known as the building envelope’s tightness. The tighter the envelope, the less energy is wasted due to drafts or uncontrolled air infiltration. 

• HVAC Equipment: While HVAC systems aren’t as extensively evaluated in REScheck as in COMcheck, their energy efficiency ratings (SEER for cooling systems, AFUE for furnaces) may be considered to ensure overall compliance with the residential energy code. 

Each element is compared to the baseline standards set by local or state codes. If the building design meets or exceeds these standards, the design is approved. Otherwise, REScheck provides specific recommendations on how to improve compliance. 

What is COMcheck?

COMcheck is a powerful compliance tool geared towards commercial buildings and larger residential projects, such as multi-story apartments. Created by the U.S. Department of Energy, it helps architects and engineers verify that their building designs meet energy code requirements for core systems. 

Purpose of COMcheck  

COMcheck is a compliance tool specifically designed to support architects and engineers in meeting energy code requirements for commercial buildings and larger residential projects, such as multi-story apartments.  

Unlike REScheck, which is tailored for residential use, COMcheck addresses the unique energy demands of commercial structures by evaluating critical systems, including lighting, HVAC, and the building envelope. For architects, COMcheck is invaluable as it not only verifies code compliance but also highlights opportunities to optimize building performance, reduce operating costs, and improve occupant comfort. 

By assessing aspects such as lighting power density, HVAC efficiency, and thermal characteristics of walls, roofs, and windows, COMcheck helps architects understand the impact of their design choices on energy use. This insight is essential for balancing aesthetic and functional goals with regulatory requirements.  

Using COMcheck early in the design phase enables architects to align their projects with energy codes, reducing the risk of costly rework and ensuring that buildings perform as efficiently as possible. For architects committed to sustainable, high-performance design, COMcheck is a critical tool for achieving compliance, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility. 

How COMcheck Works: Elements Assessed for Commercial Compliance

COMcheck evaluates several key systems and components in commercial buildings, addressing areas critical to a building’s energy efficiency and operational performance: 

• HVAC Systems: COMcheck assesses the efficiency of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, which are significant energy consumers in commercial buildings. This includes examining the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) for cooling and the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) for heating. Efficient HVAC systems help lower energy costs, reduce emissions, and maintain indoor comfort. 

• Lighting and Controls: Lighting systems are evaluated for their efficiency, including wattage, placement, and control systems. COMcheck checks for features like occupancy sensors, daylight controls, and dimming capabilities, which adjust lighting based on need and occupancy, reducing unnecessary energy use. 

• Building Envelope: The building envelope—walls, roofs, doors, and windows—is thoroughly analyzed for insulation values, air leakage rates, and window shading factors. A well-designed building envelope minimizes energy loss and enhances the building’s thermal performance, keeping interior temperatures stable and reducing the load on HVAC systems. 

By examining these elements, COMcheck provides a comprehensive review of a building’s energy efficiency, helping to ensure the design meets local and state energy codes for commercial structures. 

REScheck vs. COMcheck: Key Differences

Understanding the differences between REScheck and COMcheck is crucial for architects, builders, and designers when selecting the appropriate compliance tool for their project. Both tools, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, are designed to ensure energy code compliance, yet they cater to distinct building types, project scopes, and code requirements. 

Building Type

REScheck is designed for low-rise residential buildings, including single-family homes, townhomes, and smaller multi-family residences. Its focus on residential energy standards makes it ideal for projects that emphasize home comfort, thermal efficiency, and compliance with residential codes.  

In contrast, COMcheck targets commercial buildings and high-rise residential structures, addressing the more complex energy systems and regulatory demands of larger and multi-use buildings. This includes office buildings, retail spaces, multi-story apartment complexes, and other commercial or mixed-use facilities where operational efficiency and energy optimization are key concerns. 

Project Scope

REScheck and COMcheck assess different building components based on their specific project focus. REScheck emphasizes elements critical to residential energy efficiency, such as insulation levels, window and door performance, and building envelope tightness. It ensures that residential structures are designed to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while minimizing energy loss.

COMcheck, however, takes a broader approach, encompassing not only the building envelope but also complex HVAC systems, lighting layouts, and control systems. These elements are essential to managing energy use in commercial spaces, where factors like occupancy patterns, equipment loads, and lighting needs vary widely and have a significant impact on energy consumption. 

Code Requirements

REScheck and COMcheck align with specific energy codes, which can vary by state and local jurisdiction. While both programs support commonly adopted codes like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE standards, the exact code versions and requirements they support differ based on regional adaptations and updates.

Many states accept REScheck for residential compliance and COMcheck for commercial projects, but each jurisdiction may specify particular codes or add amendments that architects must follow. Knowing which tool aligns with the latest local energy standards is essential for ensuring that designs meet regulatory expectations without requiring adjustments late in the process. 

Ultimately, understanding these distinctions enables project teams to select the right tool to simplify the compliance process, meet code requirements, and design energy-efficient buildings tailored to their project's unique needs. 

Where is COMcheck and REScheck Accepted?

COMcheck and REScheck are widely used across the U.S. for energy compliance in commercial and residential buildings. However, acceptance varies by state and, in some cases, by local jurisdiction. Most states accept these compliance methods statewide or in specific counties, though some, like California and Washington, have unique standards. California, for example, requires compliance with its own Title 24 Building Standards.  

For detailed information on state-by-state acceptance, check the REScheck and COMcheck resources provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. You can also consult your local authorities to confirm the specific compliance requirements for your project location. 

The Role of Energy Compliance in Building Projects

Energy compliance supports efficient building performance and regulatory standards, ensuring that projects are aligned with environmental goals and energy-saving practices. While REScheck and COMcheck make compliance simpler, achieving these standards benefits everyone involved, from architects to building owners and tenants. These compliance methods support a healthier and more energy-efficient built environment. 

How to Use REScheck and COMcheck in Your Project 

1. Determine Project Requirements: Start by reviewing local and state energy codes for specific requirements related to your project type. 
2. Select the Right Method: Use REScheck for residential projects and COMcheck for commercial projects. 
3. Input Project Data: Enter specifications for materials, insulation, and systems in the chosen program. 
4. If you need step-by-step instructions, refer to the REScheck user guide and the COMcheck user guide on energycodes.gov. 
5. Review Compliance Results: Check if your project meets standards or if adjustments are needed. 
6. Submit Compliance Reports: Once complete, submit these reports to local authorities as part of the approval process. 

For further support, consult your state’s energy office or local jurisdiction to confirm the applicable energy codes and standards. 

Compliance Reporting Process: Submitting REScheck and COMcheck Reports

Once the project details are entered and compliance is calculated, REScheck and COMcheck generate compliance reports. These reports play an essential role in securing project approval and typically follow this process: 

Prepare Documentation 

Ensure that all building specifications, including insulation, window ratings, HVAC efficiency, and lighting details, are accurately documented and entered in the compliance program. Accuracy at this stage is key to avoiding revisions. 

Generate the Compliance Report 

After entering the necessary information, REScheck or COMcheck generates a report summarizing the project’s energy compliance status. This report details where the design meets or falls short of energy code requirements. 

Review and Adjust (if necessary) 

If the report indicates non-compliance, the designer or builder can make adjustments to the project plans. For instance, they might upgrade insulation levels, improve window ratings, or add lighting controls to meet code requirements. The revised details are then re-entered, and a new report is generated. 

Digital Submission 

In many jurisdictions, these reports can be submitted electronically as part of the permitting process. Some regions may also allow in-person submissions, depending on local regulations. 

Inspection and Approval 

Local building departments review the submitted reports as part of their inspection process. Once they verify compliance, they approve the project, allowing construction to proceed. Compliance reports may also be required during final inspections to confirm that construction aligns with the approved design. 

This process streamlines energy compliance verification, ensuring that projects meet required standards while avoiding costly construction delays. 

Achieve Compliance with Confidence Through cove.tool

Whether your project is residential or commercial, understanding and achieving energy code compliance is essential—not just for regulatory approval but for ensuring long-term energy efficiency and sustainability. REScheck and COMcheck make this process more manageable, providing clear standards for building elements like insulation, HVAC, and lighting systems to help architects and builders create designs that align with state and local energy requirements. However, navigating these codes and ensuring precise compliance can still be complex and time-consuming, especially when aiming to optimize energy performance without compromising design goals. 

At cove.tool, we offer expert support throughout every step of the compliance journey. Our platform integrates streamlined workflows, data entry, and energy modeling to simplify complex compliance tasks, from initial code selection to final report submission.  

Whether you need assistance with setting baseline energy values, refining insulation specifications, or calculating HVAC efficiencies, cove.tool’s solutions and consulting support ensure that your designs meet and exceed energy standards with confidence. By leveraging cove.tool’s expertise, you can minimize project delays, avoid costly revisions, and achieve sustainable, code-compliant designs efficiently—empowering you to focus on creating innovative, high-performance buildings.