Renewable Energy in a Passive House: New PHI Classifications

While "Net Zero Energy" is a seemingly simple concept, in reality calculating the energy balance of a building requires complex accounting. Photovoltaic panels produce most of their electricity during summer days, while buildings consume energy all the time, especially during cold nights. The Passive House Institute (PHI) takes Net Zero to the next level by accounting for energy storage requirements and making sure that wasteful buildings can't simply add huge PV arrays to claim "Net…


Blowerdoor protocol for verification of 0.6 ACH50 for Passive House

By Floris Keverling Buisman,  Four Seven Five Automated blowerdoor test according to EN13829 with DG700 manometer controlled by laptop Building air-tightness that is below 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 pascals pressure (0.6ACH50) is a simple target that the Passive House Institute (PHI) requires for new building certification.  (A retrofit may meet 1.0ACH50 for EnerPHit certification.)  This is a measurement of air flow and not much input or calculations are required…. Just…