PHPP for step-by-step retrofits

PHPP 9

Improved optimisation for step-by-step retrofits

The English version of PHPP 9, the tried and tested tool for designing energy efficient buildings, was released in October 2015. This version included several new innovative features such as heat recovery from shower water and profitability calculations. The practical use of the tool is facilitated by means of automatic verification and plausibility checks. Different options for a particular measure can now be entered in one PHPP file and tested with reference to their respective effects. This allows energy balance to be calculated making it possible to depict improvements in efficiency due to individual refurbishment steps. In addition, the EnerPHit criteria for retrofits can now be applied internationally without restriction, with building component requirements suiting relevant climate zones.

For many years, the PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) has provided architects, designers and energy consultants with the possibility to optimise a building design on the basis of clear figures. The Excel-based calculation tool serves not only as a reliable planning aid but also as verification of compliance with the internationally applicable criteria of the Passive House Standard and the EnerPHit Standard for retrofits.

You can download an example of a PHPP file used in the energy balancing of a step-by-step retrofit or browse other downloadable EuroPHit materials.

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Report: Optimisation of the PHPP for old buildings with high energy consumption

The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is a easy to use, reliable and well-proven design tool for highly efficient buildings such as Passive Houses or NZEBs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate its validity for existing buildings with a high energy demand, in order to make sure that it is suitable for calculating the effects of step-by-step renovation. A comparison of PHPP results with results from dynamic simulations revealed that, although some algorithms were developed with highly efficient, well-insulated buildings in mind, the PHPP can be used for this purpose with sufficient accuracy. No need for changes was detected.

Download the report