2013 Residential Compliance Software Project

CBECC-Res 2013 is a free public domain software program developed by the California Energy Commission for use in complying with the 2013 Residential Building Energy Efficiency Standards. To download the latest version of CBECC-Res, see the Current Downloads section below. The CBECC-Res 2013 software development project is managed by Bruce A. Wilcox, P.E. The California Energy Commission contract manager is Todd Ferris.

For a list of all approved compliance programs for the 2013 Residential and Nonresidential Building Energy Efficiency Standards, go to www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2013standards/2013_computer_prog_list.html. For information about California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards, go to www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2013standards.

CBECC-RES AND TITLE 24 TRAINING
Recordings of the Energy Commission's recent training webinars on the 2013 California Building Energy Code Compliance software (CBECC-Res and CBECC-Com) are available on the Title 24 Training webpage. Scroll down to "2013 CBECC Software Training Webinars" and click on the links to access webinar recordings or the presentation slide decks. The training webinars are designed to help you learn how to use the software, and are intended to assist your business in preparing for the 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. The webpage also lists other Title 24 training opportunities.

CURRENT DOWNLOADS

• CBECC-Res 2013 3b1 December 30, 2014 (Alternate download link)
  Click on this link to download the installer. This is CBECC-Res 2013 v3b1, approved by the California Energy Commission on December 24, 2014.
  
  The following changes have been implemented since CBECC-Res 2013 3:
  
  CBECC-Res v3b1:
  1. Fixed a bug that caused incorrect attic vent areas with multiple attic zones.
  2. Fixed a bug that caused incorrect ceiling air leakage with multiple ceiling surfaces.
  3. Corrected the treatment of existing and altered HVAC and duct systems.
  4. Provided new versions of all the example files to eliminate legacy errors.
  5. Fixed a number of crashes, interface operation problems and reporting issues.
  6. Allow the use of all distribution types in multi-family units with individual domestic hot water heating systems.
  
  CBECC-Res v3b:
  1. Enabled multiple attic zones with different characteristics and Standard Designs for existing zones, altered zones and garage zones.
  2. Revised the sizing of heat pump systems to include heating load in climate zones with low cooling loads.
  3. Additional HVAC equipment types including room air conditioners and heat pumps
  4. Enabled analyses with below grade floors and walls
  5. Removed limit of 48 zones
  6. Enabled use of an existing HVAC system when modelling an addition alone
  7. Corrected calculations for furred insulation layers on mass walls and enabled walls >12
  8. Corrected multi-family IAQ rules and DHW equipment and distribution issues
  9. Added Standard Design rules using prescriptive interior insulation for mass walls
  10. Improved the Building Summary Reports
  11. Clarified reporting and HERS requirements for multi-family HVAC
  12. Added a report for the California Advanced Home Program
  13. Updated Users Manual
  14. New FAQs and example files
  
  The following are known limitations in v3b1:
  1. Duplexes and town homes need to be modelled as multiple single family homes
  2. Sealed attics will not be enabled until the CEC establishes and documents the physical criteria for this construction type.
  3. If multi-family dwelling units have individual water heating rather than a central DHW system, there is a limit of 100 DHW systems.


• Quick Start Guide
  Click on this link to download the Quick Start Guide (it can also be accessed through the program's Help menu). The Quick Start Guide provides brief descriptions of the software program's major features and notes major changes from the previous version.


• CBECC-Res FAQ
  Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about CBECC-Res, updated December 30, 2014.


• CBECC-Res User Manual
  Click here to download the CBECC-Res User Manual (it can also be accessed through the program's Help menu).


• Residential ACM Tests - December 30, 2014
  • TDSv22_Runs.zip
  • TDSv22_Spreadsheet.xls
  • TDSv22_Spreadsheet.pdf


• 2013 Residential Alternative Calculation Method Reference Manual. Revised April 2014.

PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF CBECC-RES

• CBECC-Res 2013 3 9-16-2014
  Click on this link to download the installer. This is CBECC-Res 2013 v3, approved by the California Energy Commission on August 27, 2014.


• CBECC-Res 2013 2c July 23, 2014
  Click on this link to download the installer. This is CBECC-Res 2013 2b with bugs fixed that caused crashes related to windows and skylights in compliance analysis for Additions and Alterations. Version 2 was approved by the California Energy Commission on April 22, 2014 and can be used to complete the performance compliance approach for building permits filed prior to October 13, 2014.


• CBECC-Res 2013 2b
  This is CBECC-Res 2013 2.0, approved by the California Energy Commission on April 22, 2014, with several reporting errors and a few operational bugs corrected. Version 2 was approved by the California Energy Commission on April 22, 2014 and can be used to complete the performance compliance approach for building permits filed prior to October 13, 2014.


• CBECC-Res 2013 2
  Click on this link to download the installer. Version 2 was approved by the California Energy Commission on April 22, 2014 and can be used to complete the performance compliance approach for building permits filed prior to October 13, 2014.


• CBECC-Res 2013 1e (532)
  CBECC-Res Version 1e was decertified by the Commission on April 22, 2014. It can be used only to update CBECC-Res 2013 1e compliance documents submitted prior to July 1, 2014.

HOW TO GET SUPPORT OR REPORT A PROBLEM
If you have questions about the software or run into a problem, there a number of resources where you can find help:

• Quick Start Guide, FAQ, User Manual, and RACM Reference Manual (see above)

If you have a question that is not covered by one of these documents or if you think CBECC-Res is not operating correctly, send an email to CBECC-Res Support and we'll answer your question as soon as possible.

If you are reporting a CBECC-Res crash or error, please include as much of the following as possible (copy and paste this template into your email):

     CBECC-Res version (Help: About): CBECC-Res 2013-?? (???)
     Describe the error, using as much detail as possible.
     List the steps taken to produce the error, using as much detail as possible.
     1.
     2. etc.

If there is an error message, what is the message? If possible, take a screenshot of the error message and attach it to the email as a file.
Please attach your <ProjectName>.ribd file. This is the file you open and save from inside CBECC-Res. By default, this file is located in the C:\Users\<your username>\My Documents\CBECC-Res-2013-??\Projects directory.

If you are interested in using the CBECC Compliance Manager in third-party vendor compliance software tools, the documentation of the API is included in this software installation (see ...Data\Documents\CEC Compliance Manager (res) software docu v9.pdf). Also, if you need additional functionality beyond what is available, please let us know specifically what you need so that we can begin to prioritize our work going forward.