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richntiff
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Posts:111
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| 02/09/2009 6:58 PM |
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Here in Wisconsin, a ResCheck run needs to be submitted to show code compliance. The program seems rather good, with options for SIP and ICF walls, U and SHGC values to be input for windows/doors, and other features. One thing I don't like is that the house infiltration rate cannot be set lower than 0.2 ACH - I would expect that with the SIP or ICF option, they would allow 0.1 or perhaps a bit lower, but they don't.
Anyways - is anyone else using this program, and/or have you compared it to other programs? I'm curious to know how it compares to a dedicated Manual J type app.
Also - HEED - I have not done much checking into this one, but can I utilize HEED here in Wisconsin, does it have the ability to input different data from the California defaults? I want to run HEED, ResCheck, Slantfin, and a couple others. I love repeated redundancy over and over again.
Thanks!
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toddm
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Posts:170
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| 02/10/2009 6:37 PM |
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HEED can be customized to a much higher degree than RESCHECK and is surely more useful. You can load weather data from the NWS station nearest to you, usually within 50 miles. You can change the utility rates to what you pay. You build a crude model of your home as a first step, showing windows, doors, floors and garage where you want them, and then orient the house so the software can calculate solar gains through south facing windows and heat loss through north facing glass. You can do some genuine planning with it: high mass vs low mass walls; low e high solar gain windows vs less expensive low e only; 2 foot overhangs vs 3 foot. All of those choices are location specific. If commercial software can't be tuned for Wis, it won't be as precise. I haven't used any Man J software because my specialty is free.
Free is surprisingly good. Google's Sketchup 3-D modeling software blows the socks off Autodesk's offering, and links up with Google Earth to show you how the sun hits your building at any hour of the year.
Rescheck is crude by comparison to HEED and Slant Fin is positively Jurassic. You'll find a third heat loss calculator at Builditsolar.com that is slick in some respects but no match for HEED. Yes, redundancy is good. Is good. Is good.
I am pretty sure that IRC 2006 requires 0.35 ACH as a minimum for health purposes. You can get it with an HRV with modest energy loss, of course, but RESCHECK is meant to compel builders to achieve good efficiency rather than help builder owners achieve great results. |
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richntiff
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Posts:111
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| 02/10/2009 7:06 PM |
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| Thanks - after I posted that I actually went and checked the HEED site - found the link to the local NWS data - there is a site about 3 miles from my building site, that should work. Major difference between HEED output and ResCHECK will be that ResCheck uses a design temp (-25 I think for my location) and HEED uses the more optimistic historic temp data. I'm looking forward to playing with HEED and the bells and whistles. ResCheck is a code compliance tool - HEED is an optimization tool. I wonder how close HEED comes to real life... To my mind, the 0.35 ACH for IAQ/health purposes and the projected infiltration rate of a given wall assembly are two different things. A model should take HRV function and losses into account, IMHO. |
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toddm
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Posts:170
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| 02/11/2009 3:21 PM |
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Richntiff, more optimistic historical data? Haven't you read about global warming, or is your paper boy frozen to a lamppost?
My brother the libertarian, and recent owner builder in Chetek, is still grousing about Wisconsin's adoption of RESCHECK and IRC 2006. It's a g_d_ log cabin, he shouts, spittle flying.
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glenfotre
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Posts:39
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| 02/11/2009 3:37 PM |
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| I built a 2,800 sq. ft. log home in SE Idaho about 30 years ago and at -20F outside, the power went out for about 14 hours. I started a fire in the wood stove in the great room and maintained 65F inside until the power was restored. These were nominal 8" logs from a kit package. Logs work! |
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richntiff
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Posts:111
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| 02/11/2009 5:47 PM |
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Todd - we JUST FOUND OUT! The paper boy was trapped inside an 8' tall snowdrift - stupid kid.
I'm located northeast of Chetek about 3 hrs or so. I've been working with a SIP builder in Chetek for my project. People around my neck of the woods are still figuring out they have to get construction permits and have inspections :-) |
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