What's New in REScheck™ Archive

The REScheck software name changed from MECcheck with Version 3.5 Release 1 in 2003. Significant changes made to each MECcheck software release are identified below, with the most recent version listed first.

MECcheck 3.4 Release 1a (October 2002)

Version 3.4 Release 1a has a new graphical user-interface developed in Java technology to support both Windows and Macintosh computers. The automatic software update feature is no longer provided, but all other features remain the same.

MECcheck 3.3 Release 1c (July 2002)

Release 1c now includes the final New York code and minor wording changes to the Inspection Checklist.

The AreaCalc Take-off Tool has been updated with a new user-interface. This tool now includes a shape calculator for calculating the area of circular, triangular and other shapes of windows, skylights and other envelope components.

MECcheck 3.3 Release 1b

Release 1b fixes the following problems:

Compliance Report page breaks were incorrectly inserted in the middle of the compliance statement when printed without the Inspection Checklist.
The Inspection Checklist generated for the proposed New York code incorrectly included several 1995 MEC requirements, including the wrong duct insulation levels.
The filename stored at the top of the compliance reports was incorrect if the user opened a file and saved it to a different name.

MECcheck 3.3 Release 1a

Release 1a fixes the following problems:

New York depth of insulation basement and crawl space wall requirements were incorrectly being measured from the top of the wall rather than from the outside finished grade.
The New Jersey Inspection Checklist incorrectly included a 2000 IECC requirement for covering exposed above-grade foundation insulation.
The compliance prompt for Wisconsin was labeled UDC instead of UDC Compliance.

MECcheck 3.3 Release 1

MECcheck now contains new state code options for:

Proposed New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code
New Jersey Energy Subcode

MECcheck 3.3 includes minor interface enhancements, including an update wizard which allows the user to check on the Internet for new releases. It also includes an updated interface for AreaCalc, our companion area take-off tool.

MECcheck 3.2 Release 1b (January 2001)

Version 3.2 Release 1b fixed the following problems:

When saving a file as multi-family, the file incorrectly read back in as single-family.
The software incorrectly read older files (MECcheck 2.07) with crawl assemblies into MECcheck 3.2.

MECcheck 3.2 Release 1a

Version 3.2 Release 1a fixed the following problems:

U-factors for the Raised or Energy Truss ceiling option did not calculate correctly if the user entered a continuous insulation R-value and left the cavity insulation R-value at 0.0.
For some codes, the default U-factor for double pane, wood/vinyl skylights incorrectly displayed as 1.85 instead of 0.85.
The Wisconsin loads calculation incorrectly scaled the Equipment Oversizing Factor by 100. This problem affected the Wisconsin code only.

MECcheck 3.2 Release 1

MECcheck 3.2 includes eight state and county codes:

Arkansas
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Vermont
New Hampshire
Wisconsin
Pima County, Arizona
Georgia (included in MECcheck 3.1)

Version 3.2 also includes a Tools menu that launches AreaCalc, a tool designed to simplify building area take-offs.

The Winter 2000 issue of Setting the Standard contains additional information about new features in the 3.2 software.

MECcheck 3.1 Release 1a

Version 3.1 Release 1a fixed the following problems:

The Compliance Report listed net areas instead of gross areas.
The software only displayed the MEC table, which is not correct for International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) versions. The IECC version of the default glazing table was added.

MECcheck 3.0 Release 1

MECcheck 3.0 removed support for DOS and Windows 3.x. Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, or greater are required for all MECcheck 3.0 and later versions.

Version 3.0 Release 1 introduced a Code menu with options for choosing between the following residential energy codes:

1992 MEC
1993 MEC
1995 MEC
1998 IECC
2000 IECC
Georgia

The MEC code options are for the three codes that were implemented in previous MECcheck versions. The Georgia option implements that state's residential energy code. The 1998 and 2000 IECC options implement the IECCs for residential buildings.

The output reports were enhanced to provide additional information and were written in Rich Text Format, which can be imported into most text processors. The online help system was also enhanced and includes context-sensitive help for all of the supported codes.

The Spring 2000 Issue of Setting the Standard contains additional information about new features in the 3.0 software.

MECcheck 2.07 Release 4 (January 1999)

The default values provided for envelope component R-values and U-factors were removed in response to several user requests. A splash screen was added. The Required Information screen was modified to be displayed upon program startup. The following two bugs were fixed:

In Release 3, the Ceiling With Raised Truss assembly did not register credit for Continuous Insulation unless the user also entered Cavity Insulation.
The default font used for reports was too small on some printers and selecting a new font did not help.

MECcheck 2.07 Release 3

Minor bugs were fixed. The rounded UA values for both proposed and required buildings were modified to be more consistent and to ensure that the individual component UA's will always add up to the total building UA. In some cases, this change results in very slight differences from previous versions. Printing capabilities were added that allow the user to select the appropriate Font and Printer.

MECcheck 2.07 Release 2

Version 2.07 Release 2 fixed the following bug:

When an empty report was printed (i.e., no components had been entered), users received a floating point error.