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Links & Tools
Appearing below is a list of Links to organizations and entities whose work centers primarily on research, testing, product ratings, and codes and standards. Below that, under the heading of Calculators and Tools, are descriptions and links to various energy-related calculators and building cost estimating tools that are available either for free online use or free download. The calculators and tools are divided into two sections, non-proprietary and manufacturer-specific.
To add an organization, a tool or calculator to this list, e-mail BobF@DesignandBuildwithMetal.com.
Links
California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center |
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| 1516 Ninth St., MS-29 Sacramento, CA 95814 (800) 555-7794 (916) 654-4058 (outside CA) renewable@energy.state.ca.us www.consumerenergycenter.org |
The California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center went online in 1995 to offer the public a one-stop site on the internet for the latest information about energy resources and how to use them wisely in homes, vehicles and workplaces. It provides information about rebates and incentives, offers consumer tips and has a video section about the state’s Title 24 Energy Code. |
Cool Roof Rating Council |
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| 1738 Excelsior Avenue Oakland, CA 94602 (866) 465-2523 info@coolroofs.org www.coolroofs.org |
The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) was created in 1998 to develop accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance (radiative properties) of roofing products, and to disseminate that information to all interested parties. At the core of the CRRC is its Product Rating Program, which enables roofing manufacturers to have their products rated under a strict program administered by the CRRC. Those manufacturers are listed in a searchable directory on the organization’s website. |
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency |
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| DSIREinfo@ncsu.edu www.dsireusa.org |
Established in 1995, The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The chief components of the program are databases that can be accessed freely on the DSIRE website. These databases, one for Renewable Energy and the other for Energy Efficiency, provide comprehensive information on state, local, utility and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. |
Florida Solar Energy Center |
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| 1679 Clearlake Rd. Cocoa, FL 32922 info@fsec.ucf.edu www.fsec.ucf.edu |
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to serve as the state’s energy research institute. The main responsibilities of the center are to conduct research, test and certify solar systems and develop education programs. |
Galvinfo Center |
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| (888) 880-8802 info@galvinfo.com www.galvinfo.com |
The GalvInfo Center, a program of the International Zinc Association (IZA), was established in 1999 to serve current and potential users of steel sheet coated with zinc-containing coatings. The core activity of the Center is to provide technical information and support to direct inquiries about the application, performance and unique terminology of these products. |
International Code Council |
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| 500 New Jersey Ave., NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20001 (888) 422-7333 www.iccsafe.org |
The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council. |
International Lead Zinc Research Organization |
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| 2525 Meridian Parkway, Ste. 100 Durham, NC (919) 361-4647 www.ilzro.org |
The International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO) was formed in 1958 as a non-profit research foundation. Its sponsors include most of the major producers of lead, zinc and silver, and significant numbers of end-users of these metals from among the steel, automotive, die casting, battery, galvanizing and other industries. The results of ILZRO’s R&D efforts are communicated through a variety of forums, including research reports, technical seminars, expert consulting, internet sites and printed publications. |
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories/Heat Island Group |
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| Building 90, Room 2000 Lawrence Berkeley National Labs Berkeley, CA 94720 http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland /graphic.html |
This group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories conducted research to find, analyze and implement solutions to the so-called “heat island” effect. A major area of concentration for the group has been the development and advocacy of more reflective surfaces for roadways and buildings. A website detailing the research and findings contains a wealth of information on the heat island effect. |
Metal Buildings Institute |
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| P.O. Box 499 Shawnee Mission, KS 66201 (800) 866-6722 mbcea@kc.rr.com www.metal-building-institute.org |
The Metal Buildings Institute is a 501 c 3 Educational Institute founded for the primary purpose of improving the quality of in-place metal building construction. MBI provides educational and training programs to metal building contractors, erectors and students in construction programs for the direct benefit of specifiers, designers and owners. |
Oak Ridge National Laboratories |
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| Building Envelopes Program P.O. Box 2008, Mail Stop 6070 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (865) 574-9354 www.ornl.gov/sci/ roofs+walls/index.html |
The Building Envelopes Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratories focuses on improving the roofs, walls and foundations of buildings, and also the insulating materials that these systems contain. The program is interested in ways that heat, air, and moisture travel through the building envelope and the effects that various building materials have on energy consumption. The goal of this research is to identify energy-efficient building materials and envelope systems that will be adopted by the U.S building industry. |
Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues Inc. |
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| 4721 Covenant Way Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 726-7194 www.ricowi.com |
The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues Inc. (RICOWI) was established in 1990 as a non-profit organization to identify and address important technical issues related to damage and failures of roof systems as a result of weather-related events such as severe storms, hurricanes, etc. Since its inception, RICOWI has completed three important field investigations. To read overviews and/or download, visit the Technical Articles section of this website and scroll down to RICOWI reports. |
U.S EPA Energy Star Roof Products Program |
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| 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 (888) 782-7937 www.energystar.gov/ index.cfm?c=roof_prods.pr_ roof_products |
Solar reflectance is the measurement of how much of the sun’s rays are reflected away from the surface. Roofing materials with a high solar reflectance rating have been shown to be more energy efficient than products with low solar reflectance ratings. The EPA’s Energy Star program recognizes roof products with high reflectance values because of the positive impact those systems have on lowering building energy needs. More information about Energy Star Reflective Roof Products can be found by visiting the Energy Star website. |
U.S. Green Building Council |
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| 1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste. 300 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 828-5110 info@usgbc.org www.usgbc.org |
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) promotes buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy. As a means of objectively evaluating and recognizing environmentally responsible building projects and construction teams, the organization has developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. It provides credit for the use of building products that are recyclable and made with high concentrations of recycled content, and for materials that are energy efficient. |
Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS) |
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| 301 Butler-Carlton Hall University of Missouri-Rolla Rolla, MO 65409 (573) 341-471 ccfss@umr.edu http://campus.umr.edu /ccfss/ |
The Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS) was established in 1990 under an initial grant from the American Iron and Steel Institute. It provides an integrated approach to handling research, teaching, engineering education, technical services, and professional activity. The Center brings together the technical resources of interested parties, i.e. university researchers, steel producers, product manufacturers, consultants, building officials, government agencies, and others with a common goal of continued improvement of cold-formed steel design and construction. |
Whole Building Design Guide |
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| National Institute of Building Sciences 1090 Vermont Ave., NW, Ste. 700 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 289-7800 www.wbdg.org |
The Whole Building Design Guide is an informational website that offers government and industry practitioners access to up-to-date information and guidance on designing from a ‘whole buildings’ perspective. One section of the site is the Construction Criteria Base—an extensive electronic library of construction guide specifications, manuals, standards and other essential documents that would be needed to compete for construction contracts involving any of a number of government agencies. |
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Didn't find the organization you were looking for?
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Tools & Calculators - Non-Proprietary |
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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Calculator |
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This calculator allow the user—by providing verified reflectivity and emissivity values—to quickly find a given roof product’s Solar Reflectance Index. SRI is the amount of total solar energy reflected away from a roof’s surface. It is expressed as a percentage from 0 to 100%, or as a decimal from 0 to 1.00. Roof products with a SRI of 78 for low-sloped roofs and 29 for steep-sloped roofs can receive 1 point in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-NC Version 2.2 Sustainable Sites Credit 7.2, Heat Island Effect: Roofing. |
LEED Solar Reflective Index (SRI) Calculator |
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This calculator allow the user—by providing verified reflectivity and emissivity values—to quickly find a given roof product’s Solar Reflectance Index. SRI is the amount of total solar energy reflected away from a roof’s surface. It is expressed as a percentage from 0 to 100%, or as a decimal from 0 to 1.00. Roof products with a SRI of 78 for low-sloped roofs and 29 for steep-sloped roofs can receive 1 point in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-NC Version 2.2 Sustainable Sites Credit 7.2, Heat Island Effect: Roofing. |
Energy Star Roofing Comparison Calculator |
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To link directly to the calculator, go to Energy Star Roofing Comparison Calculator. |
This Energy Star Roofing Comparison Calculator is intended to roughly estimate the savings an Energy Star-qualified reflective roof can provide on a typical building. Projections are based on modeling simulations developed by the Department of Energy. |
Department of Energy Cool Roof Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to DOE Cool Roof Calculator. |
By inputting the verified reflectivity and emissivity values of a proposed roof system, this Department of Energy Cool Roof Calculator shows the annual cooling and heating savings that would be realized when compared to a black roof. Differences between non-black surfaces can be seen by printing out separate estimates for each and then manually comparing them. |
RSMeans QuickCost Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to RSMeans QuickCost Estimator. |
Select from more than 50 building types in 930 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The RSMeans Quick Cost Estimator enables users to quickly calculate an estimated value of total project cost localized to a selected area. The calculations include add-on costs itemizing low, medium and high estimates for Archtectural Fees and Contractor’s Overhead and Profit. |
Square Foot Building Replacement Cost Comparative Tables |
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To see the tables, go to Square Foot Building Cost Comparative Tables. |
Published by Saylor Publications Inc. and posted online as a demonstration of products and services, these tables provide ballpark square foot replacement cost estimates for residential construction and 65 different categories of commercial, industrial and institutional construction in six comparative classes ranging from economy to luxury. |
REScheck |
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To learn more about the Department of Energy’s Building Energy Codes Program, click Energy Codes Program. The REScheck program can be used online, but is available for free download too. To use the online version, click REScheck online. To download, click REScheck download. |
Offered by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of its Building Energy Codes Program, REScheck is designed to simplify and clarify code compliance with the Model Energy Code (MEC), the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and a number of state codes as they relate to residential construction. |
COMcheck |
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To learn more about the Department of Energy’s Building Energy Codes Program, click Energy Codes Program. The COMcheck program can be used online, but is available for free download too. To use the online version, click COMcheck online. To download, click COMcheck download. |
Offered by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of its Building Energy Codes Program, COMcheck is designed to simplify and clarify commercial and high-rise residential energy code compliance. It addresses both trade-off and prescriptive approaches, and allows the user to easily determine which is the most cost effective for the situation. |
Electricity Rates (ERATES) Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to Electricity Rates Calculator. |
ERATES (Electricity Rates) is used to calculate the monthly and annual electricity costs for a facility, building or system under a wide range of electric utility rate schedules. Both kilowatt-hours (kWh) usage and maximum kW demand during peak periods can be included in these costs. Most typically, this information would be used to support engineering-economic studies that assess the cost-effectiveness of energy conservation measures or measures to shift electricity use from on-peak to off-peak time periods. |
eVALUator Software |
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To download the software, go to eVALUator Software. |
Developed and offered by Energy Design Resources, eVALUator is a Windows-based software program that calculates the lifecycle benefits of investments that improve building design. It analyzes the financial benefits from buildings that reduce energy cost, raise employee productivity, and enhance tenant satisfaction. It also provides building owners, developers, tenants, architects, engineers, and facility managers with the financial information necessary to make sound decisions about building improvements. |
SkyCalc Skylight Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to SkyCalc Skylight Calculator. |
Developed and offered by Energy Design Resources, SkyCalc is a simple computer tool that helps building designers determine the optimum skylighting strategy that will achieve maximum lighting and HVAC energy savings for a building. |
Zinc Coating Life Predictor |
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Developed by Dr. Gregory X. Zhang at the Teck Cominco Product Technology Centre, the Zinc Coating Life Predictor is a software program that estimates the corrosion rate of zinc in various environments. The program’s calculations are based on models developed using statistical methods, neural network technology and an extensive worldwide corrosion database. Information needed to use the program effectively includes temperature, airborne salinity, sulfer dioxide concentration, relative humidity, rainfall and sheltering condition. |
Hot-Dip Galvanize or Paint: Online Life-Cycle Cost Calculator |
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To use the online calculator, go to Life-Cycle Cost Calculator. |
The Life-Cycle Cost Calulator is a tool for determining the best corrosion protection system for a given project over the course of its projected service life. Information required to use the calculator would include unit of measure (English v. Metric), currency designation, coating system being considered (e.g. two-coat epoxy zinc/polyurethane), surface preparation method, project size (tons or square feet), application method (spray or brush), project design life, and service environment (e.g. severe heavy industrial C5-1). The impact of inflation is accounted for using established financial industry equations. |
NRCA Wind-Load Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to www.roofwinddesigner.com. |
Developed by the National Roofing Contractors Association, in cooperation with the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association and the North/East Roofing Contractors Association, the Roof Wind Designer calculator provides roofing professionals a means of accurately determining roof systems’ design wind loads for common building types. Determinations made by the calculator are the result of information input by the user, including roof area, building location and configuration, roof area dimensions, mean roof height and slope, and exposure and occupancy information. |
Metal Roofing Cost Calculator |
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To use the calculator, click NE Metal Roof Calculator. |
This tool calculates a ballpark figure for any metal roofing project in the New England region of the United States. The bottom-line figure for the project changes with the choice of materials used, size of the roof, slope and complexity. Figures reflect hiring skilled professionals who have the necessary tools, insurance and workers' compensation required by the state. |
Tools & Calculators - Manufacturer-Specific |
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Owens Corning Commercial Metal Buildings Energy Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to Owens Corning Calculator. |
Developed by Owens Corning, the Owens Corning Commercial Energy Calculator demonstrates how building owners can improve the envelope and/or lighting and HVAC systems performance in their metal buildings to qualify for tax deductions under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition, it estimates the payback period for any combination of thermal efficiency measures within the metal building. |
ASC Steel Deck Delta Grip Design Aid |
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To use the calculator, go to ASC Delta Grip Design Aid. |
Developed by ASC Steel Deck, the ASC Delta Grip Design Aid is a software program that helps architects and engineers specify steel decking by determining the most efficient deck profile and attachment system for a given job, based on the installed costs. |
Flex-Ability Concepts Flex-C Trac Arc Length Calculator |
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To use the calculator, go to Arc Length Calculator. |
Developed by Flex-Ability Concepts, The Flex-C Trac Arc Length Calculator is used to determine the linear footage of Flex-C Trac needed for a given curved wall application. The calculator can be used to determine the radius and arc length (if the chord length and chord height are known), the chord height and arc (if radius and chord length are known), or the chord length and arc (if radius and chord height are known). |
SnoBlox-SnoJax Snow Guard Spacing Tool |
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To use the spacing tool, go to Snow Guard Spacing Tool. |
Developed by SnoBlox-SnoJax, the Snow Guard Spacing Tool calculates estimates and layouts for snow loads up to 80 psf. Estimates are based on rectangular roof areas only. |