NYS Builders/architects/engineers -- generic REScheck software vs. NYState version?

Factual Questions
1

So, I’m getting ready to build a house. I’m doing a lot of the work myself (for $ reasons and for the sheer love of design/building and control-freak factor of DIY). I spoke with my local Building Inspector, who told me the house needs to pass an energy analysis (among everything else).

So I go through the NYS code site and finally come upon a national energy efficiency code software program called REScheck. ( http://www.energycodes.gov/rescheck/ ) But two problems:

  1. NYS has its own version of the software
  2. That version is Windows-only. I have all Macs, so I can use the generic, DOE Mac version of the software but not the NYS-specific one.

So my question: How different is the NYS code/software from the generic? Am I setting myself up for serious trouble later if I just use the generic?

2

I see that they also have a Web version, which does not yet fully support the NYS code, so same problem/question.

3

Anyone? No builder types? Guess I’ll have to go over to Taunton Press’s forums…