Passive House Planning Package Research Articles

Assessing the validity of simplified heating and cooling demand calculation methods: The case of Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM)

To align the buildings sector with the 1.5°C climate change trajectory, enormous improvements in energy efficiency are needed. It is therefore crucial that the tools used to evaluate buildings’ energy use undergo robust testing. This paper tests, for the first time, the outcome of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and an author-modified version of the Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM), following the Building Energy Simulation Test (BESTEST). The results show that while the validity of the modified-RTSM is slightly superior to that of the PHPP, both tools pass less than 35% of the cases—necessitating further calibration and challenging the widely-held belief that the PHPP is ‘validated’. As the PHPP and the modified-RTSM present a relatively simple and quick way of evaluating buildings’ energy performance, calibrating their methodologies so they pass the BESTEST cases could put them at an advantage over the fully dynamic and resource-intensive tools.

Evaluating Passive Housing Strategies in Extreme Climates: A Case Study of Dubai Using PHPP and IESVE Models

The increasing global emphasis on sustainable architecture necessitates precise building energy modeling, especially in regions marked by extreme climates. The focus of this study is to evaluate the potential and practicality of passive housing strategies in climates similar to Dubai. In this study, we employed the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) to create a meticulous representation of the Dubai environmental conditions, ensuring that detailed architectural elements and HVAC systems were captured to provide the most energy-efficient architecture. To validate the accuracy of the model, consumption data from 2020 was used as a benchmark, reflecting the observed hot water and electricity consumption. Additionally, we developed a linear state-space model using IES Virtual Environment software (IESVE) to capture the dynamic thermal behaviour of the proposed building. We assessed the merits of the Passivhaus model in harsh climates and compared them with those of various space calculation methodologies. The model showed significant congruence with the actual consumption data and external temperature metrics for 2020. Furthermore, the state-space model, along with its various state variables, inputs, and outputs, aligned well with the real-world observations. The results indicate that the Passivhaus model possesses significant potential to reduce carbon emissions, highlighted by a detected 10% variance in energy consumption during the simulated summer peak. Differences in space calculation methodologies were also determined, emphasising the necessity of context-driven architectural evaluation. This study provides invaluable insights into the energy dynamics of contemporary buildings and emphasises the transformative potential of passive housing in extreme climates.

An industry case study using parametric modelling to facilitate Passive House design

A Passive House’s airtight, well-insulated building envelope can lower operating energy use but also increase the possibility of overheating during the summer. The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) Excel modelling tool for Passive Houses treats the entire structure as a single thermal zone; this simplification may be in part to blame for the instrument’s poor capacity to forecast the risk of overheating. The current study offers new information on two subjects. First, we compare PHPP’s overheating evaluation method to that of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers’ (CIBSE) ‘TM59’ standard, which involves conducting dynamic energy modelling at the room level. Our results support the idea that PHPP underestimates overheating. In the analysed case, glazing solar heat gain coefficient, and air change rate were some of the most crucial factors affecting compliance. Second, we highlight the usefulness of parametric design for compliance.

Compressive characteristics of resin translucent cement mortar (RTCM) used in the external walls to rationalize the energy spent inside the building

Translucent concrete (TC) is a green and sustainable material allows the light to transmit through itself by means of plastic optical fibers (POFs) or resin material embedded in concrete components. This study highlights the compressibility characteristics of resin translucent cement mortar (RTCM) and the possibility of using this material in the construction of external walls to rationalize energy expenditure within the building spaces to create a green sustainable environment inside the building. Compressive strength characteristics of RTCM, compared to that of translucent concrete containing POFs, is investigated in this paper. Furthermore, it is required to identify a theoretical approach for using RTCM in external walls of the building and its relationship to energy conservation, and then determining the effects of its use through a practical study on a test sample with using Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) program in the field of energy to measure the amount of energy expenditure. It’s found that adding a small amount of epoxy resin (ER) to the plain mix will raise the compressive strength, any extra amount of the ER will reduce the compressive strength. Finally, the study proved the possibility of using RTCM, with high efficiency, instead of bricks in the external walls of the building because of its ability to rationalize the energy spent in the building compared to the bricks.

Optimizing the Passive House Planning Package simulation tool: A bottom-up dynamic approach to reduce building performance gap

The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) simulation tool is the only authorized software in Australia for the Passivhaus (PH) certification. Despite its key role in this certification scheme, previous studies have reported significant gaps between the simulated and actual performance. To address this limitation, this study introduces a bottom-up approach to building performance simulation based on a dynamic method combined with advanced appliance profiles. This study uses two-year monitored data in a PH-certified student accommodation building in Australia and validates the proposed bottom-up approach in both annual and monthly granularity. The results show that the level of reliability and robustness of the PHPP tool is substantially improved for three PH criteria (i.e., overheating frequency, space heating energy demand, and primary energy renewable) and three operational variables (i.e., indoor temperature, plug load, and lighting power density), all within the ranges of error allowed by ASHRAE’s Guideline 14–2014. Based on the proposed approach, a set of stepwise retrofit actions was put in place to further improve the energy efficiency and occupant thermal comfort in the case study building.

Održivo stanovanje: Analiza energetske učinkovitosti u Turskoj u usporedbi s austrijskim građevinskim standardima

This study aims to investigate the energy-saving potential in the housing sector and encourage the employment of energy-efficient applications in Turkey by adapting the current European building techniques, policies and building standards in the Turkish system. First, the building standards applied in Austria and Turkey were comparatively discussed. Secondly, an energy performance analysis was performed using a PHPP Tool (Passive House Planning Package) and Konya climate data to study a typical detached house in Konya. Several optimisation scenarios that apply the Austrian regulations were conducted to form a base case Scenario. As a result, the energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction potentials, which can be provided using Vienna’s building code considering the structural practices and energy techniques, were revealed. The findings shed light on how the building standards and structural practices can contribute to economic and ecological balance. Consequently, the study emphasises revising the Turkish building standards and improving the current policies to ensure high-quality and sustainable housing designs.

Assessment of mussel shells building solutions: A real-scale application

The construction sector is a key generator of greenhouse emissions, so the use of alternative low-emission building materials is a growing tendency. This work describes and analyses an innovative sustainable building that includes mussel shells in all its constructive elements. This material is a by-product of the canning industry that is nowadays landfilled. Mussel shells were used as aggregate in the concrete strip footing (foundation) and in the exterior and interior coating mortars (walls), and as loose-fill material for the whole envelope insulation (floor, walls, and roof). The results from both the laboratory and the constructive process were useful to improve the solutions and to develop a building with low energy consumption. Finally, the energy demand of the building was assessed using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software and the blower door test was carried out to measured air tightness. It can be concluded that mussel shell materials meet the requirements of Passive House standard for energy efficient buildings: simulation results showed a primary energy consumption of 86 kWh/(m2yr), that is a 28.3% lower than the value fixed by the standard.

Experimental Application of Bioclimatic Design Strategies for The Reduction of Cooling Energy Demand in Office Buildings In Tropical Hot-humid Climate

Energy consumption in buildings remains a major driver of global warming and is highly impacted by climate change. A fast-growing sector in the construction industry is office development; consuming energy (mainly for heating, cooling, air-conditioning and lighting) 10-20 times more than the residential sectors. It was implied in recent literature that a continuous increase in development means a continuous rise in energy use and building carbon footprint. The study experimented with the innovative design of an office building which explores bioclimatic design concept, optimization of the efficiency of systems and use of renewable energy to determine their impact on cooling energy demand and building carbon footprint. The study developed an experimental model and simulated it through computer simulation using the passive house planning package (phpp) to investigate cooling energy demand within the tropical warm-humid climate of Lagos, Nigeria. Simulated result of the experimental model of office building showed a reduction in cooling demand by 4.42% to achieve passive house standard. The study encourages the implementation of bioclimatic design strategies in the design of office buildings by the building professionals.

Passivhaus

Passivhaus or Passive House buildings are low-energy buildings in which the design is driven by quality and comfort, hence achieving acceptable levels of comfort through post-heating or post-cooling of fresh air. Additionally, Passivhaus building design follows the Passivhaus design criteria, as described in the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). This article aims to introduce the Passivhaus background, development, and basic design principles. Finally, it also presents a brief description of the performance of Passivhaus buildings.

Opportunities and Limitations of Building Energy Performance Simulation Tools in the Early Stages of Building Design in the UK

This research investigates the use of Building Energy Performance Simulation (BEPS) tools in the early stages of building design in UK architectural practices with a particular focus on the barriers and opportunities to their effective application and further uptake. Two primary methods of investigation were undertaken; the first was a wide survey among UK architects and architectural practices, where the responses of 418 participants were electronically gathered and analysed. A deeper understanding of the issues was developed through an analysis of the process of low-energy building design using semi-structured interviews with six representatives of well-established architectural practices in the UK. The findings reveal that while there is an increasing understanding of the importance of BEPS involvement at the early design stages, there was limited evidence of actual early implementation of BEPS tools other than a few well known but specialised tools such as Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) which were used mainly for domestic energy performance evaluation. However, many practices surveyed showed interest in achieving higher standards than the “basic” regulatory backstops, which has resulted in Passive House and BREEAM seeing increasing use in domestic and non-domestic projects respectively. Although there has been a significant increase in the development and availability of tools and methodologies for assessing building energy performance our study shows that the focus for future research needs to be shifted from the “tool development” to looking at methods of implementing and using such tools in practice at the early design stages.

Energy Performance Evaluation for Exterior Insulation System Consisting of Truss-Form Wire-Frame Mullion Filled with Glass Wool

Heat loss and gain through opaque envelopes of buildings are major factors that affect the overall cooling and heating loads in buildings. The government has enforced regulations to strengthen the thermal transmittance requirement level as a major means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. In addition, the thermal bridge is considered to be one of the major factors in heating load of buildings. In this study, truss-form wire frame was developed in order to minimize thermal bridge of steel mullion in exterior insulation system. In the case of thermal transmittance test for specimen of 0.145 W/m2 K as design value, the value of the steel pipe was 0.190 W/m2 K and the value of the truss-form wire frame was 0.150 W/m2 K, respectively. This means the other is much smaller than the one in thermal bridge. For four cases, annual energy performance analysis was calculated using Passive House Planning Package (PHPP)—ideal condition without thermal bridge, steel pipe mullion without insulation in the rear side, steel pipe mullion with insulation in the rear side, and truss-form wire-frame mullion filled with glass wool. As results, the annual heating energy demands were 15.68 kWh/m2, 25.42 kWh/m2, 16.78 kWh/m2, and 16.09 kWh/m2, respectively.

Influence of Atlantic Microclimates in Northern Spain on the Environmental Performance of Lightweight Concrete Single-Family Houses

The use of lightweight concrete for the construction of single-family houses has become increasingly popular in Spain. In this paper, single-family houses with different shape factors and window-to-wall ratios are analysed from both a thermal and environmental perspective using Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software to calculate the energy demand. The study has been carried out for different Atlantic microclimates (coastal, inland, and mountain) in northern Spain. What most affects the thermal energy used for air conditioning is the variation of the microclimates, so the study focuses mainly on this aspect. Operational energy for heating has decreased greatly via the use of high degree of insulation and hence the next task is to decrease the total energy consumed taking into account the embodied energy. Impacts on Primary Energy and Global Warming Potential are calculated using a cradle-to-grave approach. The energy use for heating and domestic hot water is analysed for different thicknesses of insulation under three energy supply scenarios: electricity only (for 2018 and with the Spanish decarbonisation plan for 2030); heat pump plus electricity; and natural gas boiler. Even for houses with a good level of insulation, the ratio of operational-to-total impacts varies significantly: from 46% to 87% for primary energy and from 31% to 75% for global warming potential, depending on the shape factor of the house, the microclimate and the heat supply scenario. By applying future environmental policies, electricity can become a more environmentally friendly option than natural gas.

Optimization Design Method Based on Energy Balance Calculations for Passive House

The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is a design tool for energy efficiency for architects and engineers. It uses a quasi-state energy consumption calculation method given by ISO 13790 to calculate the heating, cooling, primary energy demand and renewable energy production of buildings. Based on the technical requirements and energy demand goal of Passive House, this paper analyzes the energy balance calculation model of PHPP software, and developed a Matlab program to find the optimal design parameters. Validated by applying the program to typical projects, the calculation result of the program has acceptable precision, thus can be used for rapid comparison of a large number of passive energy-saving plans, to optimize the design of Passive House based on predicted energy performance.

Multi-stage optimization and meta-model analysis with sequential parameter range adjustment for the low-energy house in Korea

The demand for low-energy building in the market is growing in Korea. However, transition of the market is slow mainly due to shortage of relevant information regarding the selection of energy saving design and technical elements with their subsequent impact on energy performance. Recent development of optimization tools has tried to integrate energy performance simulation with conventional architectural design process. However, these new optimization techniques such as stochastic optimization, sensitivity analysis, and meta-model analysis failed to provide sufficient knowledge base for all stakeholders during the design process despite their potentials. The objective of this study was to test an integrated process of optimization analysis and information production. An integrated automatic simulation framework was established with Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and modeFrontier. Sequential adjustment of ranges of influential parameters was then performed until the median value of heating demand in randomly constructed design of experiment (DOE) cases reached two target performance levels. 2D plot charts for influential parameters in each target performance level were obtained based on meta-model analysis satisfying low-energy target objects.Main findings of this study are as follows: 1) Technical parameters are more influential than design parameters. Thus, it is necessary to establish technical levels for selected primary parameters such as SHGC and linear thermal transmittance; 2) The influential priority of parameters changes through eight simulation phases. Thus, the reliability of the sensitivity analysis is largely dependent on the defining realistic and feasible ranges for every planning parameter; 3) In the case of newly-introduced parameters and technologies, the proposed methodology of multi-stage optimization analysis for advising technical level has potential to provide enough information regarding the selection of appropriate technical levels and the interrelationship among other parameters.Comparative analysis of simulation results and experts’ cognition was conducted. Results of analysis show that education for thermal bridge free design is required and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of glazing should be addressed more seriously. The final design decision advisory 2D charts of influential parameters in two performance target levels showed potential of knowledge platform for all stakeholders during the design process. Although this study simulated and tested the potential of multi-stage optimization based on heating demand of the prototype rural house, the methodology could be expanded to the multi-objective optimization, including cooling and lighting consumptions.

Evaluation on Overheating Risk of a Typical Norwegian Residential Building under Future Extreme Weather Conditions

As the temperature in the summer period in Norway has been always moderate, little study on the indoor comfort of typical Norwegian residential buildings in summer seasons can be found. Heat waves have attacked Norway in recent years, including in 2018 and 2019. Zero energy buildings, even neighborhoods, have been a hot research topic in Norway. There is overheating risk in typical Norwegian residential buildings without cooling devices installed under these uncommon weather conditions, like the hot summers in 2018 and 2019. Three weather scenarios consisting of present-day weather data, 2050 weather data, and 2080 weather data are investigated in this study. The overheating risk of a typical Norwegian residential building is evaluated under these three weather scenarios. 72 scenarios are simulated in this study, including different orientations, window-to-wall ratios, and infiltration rates. Two different overheating evaluation criteria and guidelines, the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and the CIBSE TM 59, are compared in this study.

Сравнение результатов энергетического моделирования жилого дома с помощью разных программных средств

The article considers the following software tools for calculating heat losses and energy consumption: Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and DesignPH, EcoDesigner STAR, TRNSYS, and MagiCAD Room. The calculations were carried out for one particular object — a residential house with an area of 205 m2 built in the Moscow region. The BEM packages used for the analysis are described. Their advantages and disadvantages, as well as specific features of modeling are noted. The process of interconnection between the building energy model (BEM) and its information model (BIM) is considered. Comparison of the results from modeling the power performance of the object with the same thermophysical properties of its enclosing structures has shown that several BEM-packages should simultaneously be used in designing buildings, because each package is unique in its own way and provides important information, and comparison of the calculation results makes it possible to ascertain that the modeling is correct in nature. The results from calculation of heat losses by heat transfer obtained in all packages have been found to be approximately the same. The calculated heat inputs from solar radiation estimated in EcoDesigner STAR are higher than those estimated in PHPP. The calculated internal heat releases obtained in all packages are different, because each package uses its own methods for specifying internal heat releases. The main disadvantage of the EcoDesigner STAR and TRNSYS packages is noted, namely, impossibility to specify the recuperator thermal efficiency, which leads to excessively high thermal loads on the ventilation system. The MagiCAD Room package does not take into account heat release and heat input from solar radiation; therefore, it can only be used for calculating heat losses and selecting the space heating devices.

Study of the possibility of implementation in Finland of the Passivhaus concept in order to reduce energy consumption

Passive building has been defined by Wolfgang Feist, Passivhaus Institut, as being the building that demand for heating must not be more than 15 kWh/m² year, and total consumption of primary energy should not be more than 120 kWh/m² year. In this paper we strive to study at the concept of ’passive house’ in the Finland. Using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software 2007 calculate the heating requirements for such a House, depending on the latitude and climate conditions in the locality. For the study were selected 6 cities from Finland placed to different latitudes and climatic areas. To determine the possibility of implementing the concept ”passive House” must be determined: required heating, cooling demand and primary energy demand. In order to implement this concept should not exceed maximum limits.

Comparative analysis of Passivhaus simulated and measured overheating frequency in a typical dwelling in Ireland

ABSTRACT Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) simulations are crucial in balancing a reduced space heat demand and reduced overheating in Passivhaus dwellings. This paper identifies the PHPP simulated overheating frequency (OF) for a dwelling in Douglas, Cork, Ireland, constructed in 2015. The measured indoor temperature is also recorded over a 12-month period. A comparative analysis of measured and simulated overheating is carried out, with two overheating thresholds of 25°C and 24°C. The simulation estimates an OF of 0.00%, for a typical year (at 25°C). The simulation relies on a dwelling average temperature, where the equivalent measured OF for the test year is 2.64%, derived from a volume-weighted mean indoor temperature (T vm). At a reduced threshold of 24°C, the measured OF is 4.67%. Measurements within 6 independent zones identify 52.61% of readings above 25°C are eliminated by using T vm. The representation of overheating as a percentage of the year is shown to distort the effect of overheating, while the T vm value overlooks variations in zonal temperature. This paper recommends that a more robust assessment tool is developed within PHPP, to predict OF for passive house dwellings, while adopting this methodology for dwellings of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) standard.

Passive house vs. passive design: sociotechnical issues in a practice-based design research project for a low-energy house

ABSTRACT Building performance simulation tools such as the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) can be invaluable for improving energy-efficiency in housing design. However, achieving improved energy performance is also a sociotechnical issue, and how this is dealt with during the architectural design process seems less well studied. This collaborative design research project for a low-energy prefab house with an industry partner, a manufacturer of Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), is used as a case study to show that it is possible to achieve high energy performance while addressing specific socio-technical concerns within an Australian volume homebuilding market. A key issue that emerged in this project was the perceived tension between passive design expectations in Australia and those promoted through the Passive House software tool.

Earth-sheltering effect on dwelling in cold climate: simulation-based and theoretical approaches

A number of equal but variously submerged samples of a detached residential building are assessed with the intention to trace an impact of earth-sheltering on the building energy conservation ability under cold climatic conditions. Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is used to carry out this. Additionally, an assessment of the building thermal comfort and profitability is performed when considering two contrasted samples of it – non-deepened and deepened as much as possible. The study results support the basic understanding of earth-sheltering expediency as a type of sustainable construction and show that maximal use of earth as an additional insulating layer provides 44.4% less heat requirements (compared with the non-deepened sample). Moreover, earth-sheltering measures are able to reduce a form factor impact on energy loss by 50%. Their cost, as the study reveals, can be compensated by means of investing the saved energy expenditures for less than 20 years. Lastly, earthen insulation assists to rise an operative temperature inside the building by 0.3oC.