PHPP version 8 out now
The new version of the software for the planning of Passivhaus buildings is now available, offering many benefits over its predecessor. PHPP 8 includes facilitated data entry and incorporates the latest results on the integration of renewables in building energy concepts. PHPP 8 further includes findings from the Passivhaus Institut’s recent research on high performance buildings in various regions in the world; additional calculations combined with newly validated algorithms ensure suitability for all climates, including those with cooling and dehumidification requirements.
Another substantial planning aid will follow later this year- the newly developed designPH, a 3D design plugin for the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP).
“With its latest features, the PHPP 8 keeps pace with new developments in the field as well as the increasing global distribution of energy-efficient building,” says Dr. Wolfgang Feist, founder and director of the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany. The improvements include a central list of all Certified Passivhaus Components and the incorporation of electricity yields from photovoltaic systems. Comparative studies with dynamic building simulations have shown that the revised algorithms in PHPP 8 not only work for Central European locations but also deliver excellent results for cold, warm-temperate, hot-humid climates.
With its detailed manual, the PHPP, as developed by the Passivhaus Institute, has long provided a reliable basis for the design of energy-efficient buildings. As such, the PHPP is also accepted as proof of compliance with the Passivhaus criteria for subsidy programmes and low-interest loans in many countries. All calculations in the Excel-based software tool remain visible, clear and understandable for professionals wishing to gain special insight to its workings. With the Passivhaus Planning Package, architects, designers and energy consultants the world over can optimise their designs and components systematically and on the basis of hard figures.
The PHPP 8 also places a greater focus on the increasingly popular combination of Passivhaus and renewables – a great help in the light of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) as well as other similar legislation worldwide. In addition to the solar-powered hot water generation already covered by previous versions, the PHPP 8 allows for the calculation of energy outputs from photovoltaic systems, heat pumps and geothermal probes. A procedure for estimating the solar heating supply has also been integrated into this new version.
The designPH plugin, due for release later this year, will further optimise creative planning with a Trimble SketchUp-based tool allowing users to model their Passivhaus projects in 3D. It will thereby not only simplify the process of entering data into PHPP but also provide preliminary feedback on the performance of a design. Once released, designPH will also be available online through the Passivhaus Institute.
More information on the 3D tool can be found on Passipedia, the Passivhaus online resource passipedia.org
The new release can be purchased online through the Passivhaus Institut or local distributors. Registered PHPP users (version 2007 or newer) receive a €30 discount on the standard price (€160). All those having purchased the PHPP 7 in 2013 receive a €60 discount.
iPHA members receive a discount on the designPHplugin for Trimble Sketchup which can be purchased together with the new PHPP.
Send in Passivhaus story and win a brand new PHPP8!
Passivhaus buildings may be known for their drastically lower energy use and associated energy costs, but it is the level of comfort they offer that their occupants appreciate most. If you already enjoy the benefits of a Passivhaus, either at home or at work, have built one yourself or have heard from others who wouldn’t trade their comfortable home for anything in the world, the iPHA invites you to share these experiences by sending in a real life Passivhaus story. The best submissions will be published on Passipedia; authors of the top three stories will win a new PHPP8!
Submission requirements:
- Passive House story: Text document, 500-1,000 words
- Images: At least two, exterior/interior exposures, surroundings, residents, etc. (at least one must show the building) with a resolution of 300dpi (format: eps, jpg, png)
- Signed publication consent form
Prizes:
3 Passive House Planning Packages PHPP Version 8 (2013) - EN
Submission deadline: 30 September 2013
Send in your stories to info@passivehouse-international.org, with the subject line "PHPP competition - Passivhaus story"