# Presentation: 755961

## How to Use

**How to Use**
***COMcheck***
***Energy Code Compliance Software***

- U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program

## When does COMcheck apply?

**Commercial New Construction, Alterations and Additions**
- Commercial Buildings include all buildings except
- Single family
- Low rise multi-family < 3 stories in height
- State Dependent
- Not all states have the same code, some states have state-specific energy codes
- Check to see what code is applicable in your state and if COM*check* is accepted
- _[Status of State Codes](http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes.index.stm)_
- http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/index.stm

## Building Envelope
construction assembly (materials & insulation levels)
windows, doors & skylights
Mechanical Systems	
Service Water Heating
Lighting Systems

- construction assembly (materials & insulation levels)
- windows, doors & skylights
**Mechanical Systems****	**
**Service Water Heating**
**Lighting Systems**

**Components that Must Comply ****with the Energy Code**

- How do they correlate in COM*check*?
- 	No trade-offs between systems!

## What is COMcheck-EZ?

- Envelope
- trade-off calculations are based on envelope loads only
- defines a proposed design and a budget design
- Lighting
- Watts/square foot  (LPDs)
- Mechanical
- short wizard to customize a list of requirements applicable to the system identified

**Notes:**
Envelope:  The proposed version is based on user input, while the budget version is based on minimum prescriptive requirements and the modeling rules detailed in Attached 8b of standard 90.1-89. 

The rationale for incorporating the additional component trade-offs (not just trade-offs for above grade walls and windows) is that Standard 90.1-89 Section 13 “Building Energy Cost Budge Method” sanctions the use of alternative compliance methods provided they ensure equivalent energy efficiency.

## What Do I Need to Know?

- Information you need to use COMcheck-EZ:
- General Understanding of Windows-based Computer Programs
- Basic Information about the Builder and Project to be Constructed
- Building Plans including Exterior Wall Areas, Glazing Areas, Roof/Ceiling Areas, Basement Wall Areas, etc.
- Insulation R-Values, NFRC Glazing and Door U-Factors, etc.
- Lighting
- Heating and Cooling System Efficiencies
- Service Water Heating

## Slide 6

## Expand the Screen like other programs.

**Expand the Screen like other programs.**
**Let’s take a closer look at this area.**

## Title Bar

**Title Bar**
**Menu Bar**
**Toolbar**
**Make sure the correct code is chosen**

**Notes:**
Title Bar - The title bar displays the name of the currently open project data file and the currently selected code. If no file is open, the word Untitled is displayed.
Menu Bar - The menu bar is located directly under the title bar and displays the available menus–File, Edit, View, Options, Code, Tools and Help. These menus are discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Toolbar - The toolbar contains buttons with images representing some of the same options available in the menus.

## Four Main Screens

- Compliance Results

- Building Use
-   Whole Building
-   Area Category

**Notes:**
Folder Tabs - The Project, Envelope, Lighting and Mechanical folder tabs are used to choose the respective screens.
Each major system must comply on its own, tradeoffs between major systems (i.e. envelope and lighting) are not permitted using COMcheck EZ.

##  Basic Information

-  Basic Information

- Construction Type

## Slide 11

**Notes:**
Choose from the drop down list of states and cities

The list of cities was taken from the U.S. Geological Survey's Populated Places (PPL) database (which is part of USGS's Geographic Names Information System). The PPL database contains the name, location (latitude/longitude), elevation, and sometimes the population of over 165,000 locations in the U.S. and its possessions. We mapped each of the PPL locations to a best available NOAA weather station as a source of heating degree-days, cooling degree-days, and other climate parameters. The new REScheck weather file contains the subset of the PPL locations for which the USGS has a population estimate (a little more than 22,000 cities).

## Main Building Envelope

**Main Building Envelope**
- Use the blue-on-white buttons at the top of the *Envelope* screen to create a list of building components present in your proposed design.  Each component you select is added to the building components displayed on the *Envelope* screen.
- Gross area (or perimeter) of assembly components, cavity R-value , continuous R-value, assembly U-factor , construction details, SHGC, and/or projection factor are entered by the user.

## Envelope Screen

- Building Components are added by clicking on these.

**Notes:**
Each of the assembly components have a drop down list of assembly types.

## Adding Roofs – Step 1

**Step 1:  **Click on Roof

## Adding Roofs – Step 2

**Step 2:**
- Select Roof Type  (different roof types and any number of skylights can be added individually.)

## Adding Roofs – Step 3

**Step 3:**
- Add square footage  (In this case 20532 square feet)

## Adding Roofs – Step 4

**Step 4:**
- Add insulation R-Value (R-19 cavity and R-8.0 continuous in this example)

## Adding Roofs

**Step 1:**  Click on “Roof”
**Step 2:**  Select Roof type
**Step 3:**  Add square footage
**Step 4:**  Add insulation R-Value

**Adding Roofs**

## Skylights

- 3% of area is exempted from inclusion in the proposed and budget building loads calculations
- Requirements based on
- U-value (NFRC tested) or
- Default U-value table

**Notes:**
The rationale for the 3% exemption is that at low percentages of roof area, skylights typically more than offset their added thermal load with lower electric lighting usage and a lower cooling load from lights.

A skylight U-factor is based on the interior-surface area of the entire assembly, including glazing, sash, curbing, and other framing elements.  Center-of-glass U-factors cannot be used.
If an NFRC U-factor rating is available for the skylight, you should use its BB-size (ie, 48 by 48 in.) rating.
Buildings with skylight percentages over 3% of the gross roof area must use Chapter 7 or reduce the skylight area.  

## Adding Exterior Walls

**Step 1: ** Click on “Wall”
**Step 2: ** Choose Assembly
**Step 3:**  Add square footage
**Step 4:  **Add the R-Values

- Exterior walls, windows and doors can be added as a total sum or each exposure can be added separately

**Adding Exterior Walls**

## Adding Windows

**Step 1:**  Choose window type
**Step 2:  **Enter gross area (rough opening)
**Step 3:  **Enter U-Factor, SHGC
**Step 4:  **Projector Factor

**Adding Windows**

## Windows – U-Factors

- NFRC tested and certified                                             or default window U-value range
- Use assembly U-value
- All windows must meet or exceed

| Frame Material and Product Type | Single Glazed | Double Glazed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Metal without thermal break
  Operable (including Sliding and swinging
     glass door)
   Fixed
  Garden Window
  Curtain Wall
  Skylight
  Site-assembled Sloped/overhead glazing | 

1.27
1.13
2.60
1.22
1.98
1.36 | 

0.87
0.69
1.81
0.79
1.31
0.82 |
| Metal with thermal break
  Operable (including Sliding and swinging
     glass door)
  Fixed
  Garden Window
  Curtain Wall
  Skylight
 Site-assembled Sloped/overhead glazing | 

1.08
1.07
1.11
1.89
1.25 | 

0.65
0.63
0.68
1.11
0.70 |
| Reinforced vinyl/metal clad wood
  Operable (including sliding and swinging glass doors)
Fixed
Skylights | 

0.90
0.98
1.75 | 

0.57
0.56
1.05 |
| Wood/vinyl/fiberglass
  Operable (including sliding and swinging    
    glass doors)
  Fixed
  Garden Window
  Skylight | 

0.89
0.98
2.31
1.47 | 

0.55
0.56
1.61
0.84 |

**Table 102.3(1)**
**U-Value Default For Windows**
**Glazed Doors and Skylights**

**Notes:**
U-Factor is a measure of how well the assembly conducts heat.  The lower the number, the better the assembly acts and an insulator.

A window U-factor is based on the interior surface area of the entire assembly, including glazing, sash, curbing, and other framing elements.  Center-of-glass U-factors cannot be used.

The code requires windows, glass doors, and skylights to be rated by National Fenestration Rating Council and to have labels that show the rated u-factor and SHGC values for the glazing unit.

If the windows, glass doors, and/or skylights are not rated, the appropriate default tables from the code can be used.

Any glazing product that is double pane with tinted glass in a thermally broken frame (e.g., wood, vinyl, or aluminum with a thermal break) will meet the requirements for a fenestration U-factor of 0.60 and an SHGC of 0.60.

## Basement Walls

**Basement Walls**

## Basement Walls

- 1

- 2

**Basement Walls**

**Notes:**
Wall Height
Enter the average height of the basement wall measured from the top of the basement floor to the top of the basement wall.
The Wall Height (ft) and Depth Below Grade (ft) fields together enable you to enter a basement wall assembly partially above and partially below grade as a single entry.  If the values in these two fields are the same, the wall will be treated as entirely below grade.
Depth Below Grade
Enter the average depth below grade of the wall in the Depth Below Grade (ft) field, measuring from the average grade level to the top of the basement floor.

## Adding Floors

- Slab-On-Grade should be entered in linear feet

**Notes:**
The insulation position pop-up list enables you to specify if perimeter slab insulation will be used and, if so, if it will be placed vertically or horizontally.  If no perimeter insulation will be used, select No Insulation.

## Slide 26

## Interior Lighting Compliance

**Interior Lighting Compliance**

**Mandatory Requirements**

- Controls

- Switching

**Interior Lighting Power Requirements**

- Entire Building

- Partial Building

**Total Connected Power ****(805.4.1)**

**Interior Lighting Power ****(805.4.2)**

**<**

**The building complies if its total connected power is no greater than the interior lighting power**

**and **

**Notes:**
Interior lighting requirements are divided into a set of mandatory requirements, provisions that must be complied with regardless of the quantity of lighting that is installed, and two methods for determining the allowed wattage for the building.  
The Prescriptive approach contains a look up table to determine allowed wattage for each occupancy type and is divided into two categories.

The Entire Building approach can be used for a single occupancy building.

The Partial Building approach is used for a multiple occupancy building such as a strip shopping mall.    

## Adding Lighting

- Lighting components are added by clicking on these

- Lighting Results

**Notes:**
Use the blue-on-white buttons at the top of the Lighting screen to create a list of lighting fixtures present in your proposed design.  Each fixture type you select is added to the lighting fixtures list displayed on the Lighting screen.  For each fixture type, you must enter a ballast type (if applicable), the number of lamps per fixture, quantity, and the fixture input wattage.  Input wattage is the electrical power input to the lamp and ballast combination.

## Lighting Using Space-by-Space

**Notes:**
Have the class determine the total wattage that can be installed in this building.

## Lighting Options

**Lighting Options:**
- Spaces
- Exemptions and Allowances

**Notes:**
The Lighting screen contains an optional feature that enables you to organize lighting fixtures under the spaces (or parts of the building) in which they are used.  To activate this feature, select Spaces from the Options menu while in the Lighting screen.  This feature helps ensure fixture counts are correct and greatly facilitates plan review and inspections.

## Slide 31

## Mechanical Requirements

**Mechanical Requirements**

**Simple Systems ****(Section 803.2)**
- 803.2.1  - Heating and cooling loads
- 803.2.2 - HVAC Equipment Performance Requirement
- 803.2.3 -Temperature  & Humidity Controls
- 803.2.4 - Hydronic System Controls
- 803.2.5 - Ventilation
- 803.2.6 - Economizers
- 803.2.7 - Shutoff Damper Controls
- 803.2.8 - Duct and Plenum Insulation and Sealing
- 803.2.9 - Piping insulation

**Complex Systems ****(Section 803.3)**
- 803.3.1  - Heating and Cooling Loads
- 803.3.2 - HVAC Equipment Performance Requirement
- 803.3.3 –HVAC System Controls
- 803.3.4 – VAV Systems Serving Multiple Zones
- 803.3.5 - Ventilation
- 803.3.6 - Duct and Plenum Insulation and Sealing
- 803.3.7 - Piping insulation
- 803.3.8 – System Completion

**Notes:**
Explain that most requirements are the similar for simple vs. complex  and note the differences in complex systems

Heating/cooling loads:  must be provided to ensure that equipment is neither oversized or undersized for the intended application; calculation procedures in accordance with the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook or a similar computational procedure usually developed by some of the major equipment manufacturers

HVAC equipment performance:  equip. shall meet the minimum efficiency requirements of the code when tested and rated in accordance with test the applicable test procedures.  The efficiency shall be verified through certification under and approved certification program, if no certification program exists, the equip. efficiency ratings shall be support by data furnished by the manufacturer.  Some of the equipment efficiency requirements are also requirements  of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA).  The NAECA requirements apply to new equipment installed in existing buildings as well as to new buildings.

Other sections are discussed in more detail in the slide presentation.

## Mechanical

- The Mechanical section generates a customized list of mandatory requirements applicable to the mechanical components you identify.

**Mechanical**

## Slide 34

## Mechanical

**Notes:**
Click the HVAC System button to launch a series of screens (collectively referred to as a wizard) on which you enter information about your building’s HVAC components.  The HVAC system wizard screen sequences depend on the information you enter.  You must continue to the final screen in the sequence before the Finish button becomes active, enabling you to return to the Mechanical screen.   

## Mechanical

**Mechanical**

## Slide 37

## Mandatory Requirements in COMcheck Software

**Mandatory Requirements in COM*****check***** Software**

- Requirements Checklist generated automatically based on input
- applicable code
- building location

**Air Leakage, Component Certification, and Vapor Retarder Requirements:**All joints and penetrations are caulked, gasketed, weather-stripped, or otherwise sealed

**Notes:**
Mandatory requirements in the COMcheck software tools are handled in the Requirements Checklist section of the Compliance Certificate

## Be sure to save your project

- Preview and Print reports

## Need Help?

## COMcheck-EZ Software Case Studies 

**COM*****check-EZ***** Software**** Case Studies **

## Sigma 2 Bldg. Floor Plan

**Sigma 2 Bldg. ****Floor Plan**

**Notes:**
Floor Plan used for reference.
The number of windows and doors can be taken from the window/door schedule.  Locations can be verified by the window and door symbols on the plan.
Overall plan dimensions can also be taken from this plan.

## Roof:   20,532 sq.ft.  Wood truss R-19 Insulation

**Roof:**   20,532 sq.ft.  Wood truss R-19 Insulation
**Exterior Walls**:  8172 sq.ft. 2 X 4 Metal Frame at 16” O.C., R-10 Insulation
- Walls Perimeter = 681 ln. ft.
**Windows:**  998 sq.ft. Metal Frame, double pane, tinted, U-value .69,  SHGC-Value .57, P.F. .50
- Window/Wall Ratio = 12%
**Glass Doors**:  126 sq. ft. Clear Glazing, U-value .92, SHGC-Value .47

**Activity Areas**
**Office:**  15,849 sq.ft.
**Halls/Corridors/Transitions:**  	3338 sq.ft.
**Restrooms:**  500 sq.ft.
**Kitchen:**  505 sq.ft.
**Lobby:**  340 sq.ft.

**Metal Door**: 21 s.f. U-value .70
**Floor:**  20,532 sq. ft./681 linear feet, unheated slab on grade, no insulation
- 2 Storage Water Heaters, Electric,  80 gal. capacity

**Sigma 2 Bldg. ****Building Envelope**

**Notes:**
Building data is used for COMcheck-EZ software runs. 
The user can choose to enter the activity area breakdowns in COMcheck-EZ but may prefer to consider the entire building “office”. 

## Sigma 2 Bldg. Lighting Plan – Existing Lighting

**Sigma 2 Bldg. ****Lighting Plan – Existing Lighting**

**Notes:**
Existing lighting is detailed in this lighting schedule.  The number of fixtures are listed for software inputs. Symbols are used so the specific locations of the various lighting fixtures can be verified on the plan.

## Sigma 2 Bldg. Mechanical Plan

**Sigma 2 Bldg.**** ****Mechanical Plan**

**Notes:**
The unit numbers and corresponding descriptions of the heat pump units are listed on the mechanical plan.  This information is taken from the original building plans.  Not all of the information listed will be used for inputs in COMcheck-EZ.  

NOTE:  The exterior lighting is not entered into the software for code compliance.  Only efficacy requirements apply to exterior lighting.  The exterior lighting is included as part of the lighting schedule because this case study is intended to represent (although greatly simplified and generalized) what users will find in typical building plans.

##  Building Section

** ****Building Section**

**Notes:**
The material specifications and dimensions in this section are used for a number of inputs in both COMcheck-EZ.  

The overhang dimension and vertical window placement are used to determine the projection factor ( .5) used in COMcheck-EZ. 

The extension (the distance the overhang extends horizontally in the plane of the window past the edge of the window jambs) is assumed to be 3’ for this case study.  This assumption approximates the continuous overhang present in this building.

## Overhang/Projection Factor (PF) 

- Overhang/Projection Factor (PF)

**PF= A/B**
**PF=0.5**

## Red Mountain Feed & Irrigation 

**Red Mountain Feed & Irrigation **

## Red Mountain Feed & Irrigation  Floor Plan

**Red Mountain Feed & Irrigation **** Floor Plan**

## Spaces

- Inside Office/Bathroom

- Storage

## Exterior Walls:  3,954 sq.ft. 

**Exterior Walls**:  3,954 sq.ft.
- 10’ High:  R10 between girt & metal wall + 2x4 R11 metal studs,
- 	0.071 u-factor, heat capacity=1  (2,176 sq. ft.)
- 5’ High:  R10 between girt & metal wall  (928 sq. ft.)

## Walls

## Lighting

## Red Mountain FeedLighting Plan 

**Red Mountain Feed****Lighting Plan **

- Lighting Schedule
- 8’ Industrial Fluorescent, 2 F96T12 Slimline Lamps & Energy Saving Magnetic Ballast
- 43 Fixtures, 173 watts/fixture
- 2’x4” Troffer 2 F32T8 lamps and GEB, 6 Fixtures, 59 watts/fixture

**Notes:**
The material specifications and dimensions in this section are used for a number of inputs in both COMcheck-EZ.  

The overhang dimension and vertical window placement are used to determine the projection factor ( .5) used in COMcheck-EZ. 

The extension (the distance the overhang extends horizontally in the plane of the window past the edge of the window jambs) is assumed to be 3’ for this case study.  This assumption approximates the continuous overhang present in this building.

## Heating System

- Pellet Stove

- Unit Heater

## Roof:   5,000 sq.ft.  Metal w/1” Styrofoam thermal block, R-13 Insulation

**Roof:**   5,000 sq.ft.  Metal w/1” Styrofoam thermal block, R-13 Insulation
**Exterior Walls**:  6,397 sq.ft.
**Windows:**  144 sq.ft. Metal Frame, double pane, tinted, U-factor .75,  SHGC .88, PF .33
- Glass Doors:  42 sq. ft., Metal Frame, U-factor .92, SHGC .87, PF, .33
- Window/Wall Ratio = 2.9%
**Doors**:  100 sq. ft.Overhead Metal, U-value .60, other metal-42’, u-value 1.20

**Floor:  **5000sq.ft./300 linear feet, unheated slab on grade, R10 2’ vertical

**Red Mountain Feed ****Building Envelope**

**Notes:**
Building data is used for COMcheck-EZ software runs. 
The user can choose to enter the activity area breakdowns in COMcheck-EZ but may prefer to consider the entire building “office”. 

## Other COMcheck Compliance Tools 

**Other COM*****check Compliance Tools ***

- Simple, fast and easy
- Generally most stringent
- Requires minimum input
- Based on climate and WWR
- Uses a prototype building

**Prescriptive Approach**

**Printed guides on****www.energycodes.gov**

**1**

**2**

## COMcheck Printed Guides

**Forms available at www.energycodes.gov**

**COM*****check *****Printed Guides**

**1**

**Pick the appropriate package based on WWR, Zone and code**

**2**

**Print out and complete the Prescriptive Package Worksheet, sign, and submit**

**Notes:**
Prescriptive Packages and Worksheet (manual compliance)

## COMcheck Printed Guides

**Forms available at www.energycodes.gov**

**COM*****check *****Printed Guides**

**1**

**Complete the Lighting Application Worksheet**

**2**

**Print out and complete the Prescriptive Package Worksheet, sign, and submit**

**Notes:**
Prescriptive Packages and Worksheet (manual compliance)

## COMcheck Package Generator

**COM*****check***** Package Generator**

## COMcheck Package Generator

**COM*****check***** Package Generator**

## COMcheck Package Generator

**COM*****check***** Package Generator**