REScheck reports are generally straightforward to produce, but a handful of recurring mistakes account for most of the revision requests and permit delays contractors run into. Most of these aren't calculation errors, they're mismatches between what the report claims and what's actually shown on the building plans or installed in the field, which is exactly what plan reviewers are trained to catch
The most common mistake is entering standard or "typical" R-values and U-factors instead of pulling them from the actual plans and product specifications. A report built on assumed insulation levels can pass compliance on paper while not matching what's specified elsewhere in the permit package, which creates an inconsistency reviewers are specifically checking for.
Applying the wrong climate zone, usually common on projects near a zone boundary or running the calculation against an outdated code cycle produces a report that doesn't reflect the actual requirements the project needs to meet. Since code cycles update periodically and don't always take effect on the same date as prior versions, confirming which cycle currently applies to the project's permit date is a step worth double-checking rather than assuming.
REScheck results are sensitive to window and door U-factor and SHGC values, and a common error is entering values from an early design iteration that don't match the final window schedule submitted with the rest of the permit package. Even small changes to specified glazing can shift a marginal compliance result into a failing one.
Depending on the compliance path used, REScheck can incorporate mechanical system efficiency and duct leakage assumptions alongside envelope performance. Leaving these at default values when the project's actual mechanical design differs particularly on performance-path compliance that can produce a result that doesn't hold up if those systems are checked separately during inspection.
Additions and renovations often have different applicable requirements than new construction, and REScheck needs to reflect which portions of the structure are existing versus altered. Running the calculation as if the entire building were new construction rather than isolating the addition or altered assembly is a frequent source of inaccurate results on remodel projects.
Can a REScheck report be resubmitted if it's initially rejected?
Yes, most jurisdictions allow revision and resubmission, but each cycle adds time to the permit timeline, which is why getting inputs right the first time matters.
Does a marginal "pass" result carry any risk?
A close pass is still a pass, but it leaves little margin if any specified material changes later in construction — a downgraded window or insulation substitution could turn a passing result into a non-compliant one if not re-checked.
Who's responsible for catching these mistakes — the software or the person running it?
The software calculates correctly based on what's entered; the mistakes described above are all input errors, which is why accurate source documentation matters more than the software itself.
Psychro.Pro builds REScheck reports directly from your current plans and specs, cross-checked against the applicable climate zone and code cycle, to avoid the mismatches that cause plan review delays. Learn more.
