Ranking IECC Codes in Rescheck Web and Desktop

Today on the Reschexpert blog we want to discuss an interesting experiment we undertook.  We took the time to compare 30 different projects from 30 different areas around the United State in order to rank the IECC codes in Rescheck Web and Rescheck Desktop by our scale of toughness using commonly found insulation values.

Basically, for our experiment we took homes of various square footages and created commonly found insulation values for those areas.  We then toggled each project from IECC 2018, IECC 2015, IECC 2012, and IECC 2009 then logged the results.  For fun we created a model for what we anticipate the IECC 2021 Rescheck Code will become and ran this calculation separately on an SQL based calculation engine.

After logging the results of these 30 Rescheck Web and Rescheck Desktop projects in 30 different locations using each of the 4 IECC codes we were able to create the following toughness rating.  1 being the toughest code to pass.  4 being the easiest to pass.

1.  IECC 2012
2.  IECC 2015
3.  IECC 2018
4.  IECC 2009

The most interesting thing we found in our 30 Rescheck project in 30 location study was that the most recent codes do not seem to be the most difficult to achieve a passing score with.  Actually, it seems that upgrades in to the IECC 2015 Rescheck software, and IECC 2018 Rescheck Web software have created some very good codes that building officials can rely on.  A building department that is currently on IECC 2012 depending on location might be able to ease standards ever so slightly and increase energy efficiency simply by switching to an IECC 2015 or IECC 2018 based Rescheck system.  Because we use commonly obtained construction materials in our studies and calculations we think it also makes sense for building officials to require R values that are able to be obtained.  A switch from IECC 2012 to IECC 2015 or IECC 2018 may not necessarily make standards tougher, but it will add different facets to the Rescheck inspection, checklist, and compliance certificate.

Overall, this ranking uses our own special set of Rescheck criteria in order to see how each IECC code stacks up using projects in different locations.  We also make some assumptions and observations based on our final data and what we found interesting.  If you have a Rescheck Project using IECC 2009, IECC 2012, IECC 2015, or IECC 2018 simply email your plans, jobsite address, and square footage to service@rescheck.info and we will get you taken care of.