PHI has released an extensive catalogue of 600 timber frame thermal bridge calculations, plus a results file in Excel format that shows the resulting PSI values. The goal was to create a timber thermal bridge catalogue that was manufacturer independent—and which included varying construction thickness and U-values so that intermediate values could be interpolated (using the Excel file). The catalogue …
Essential to manage risks from moisture in CLT buildings
There are some advantages to being laggards in adopting new building products and methods. CLT is more common in Europe and has a longer history of use there. Damage and failures have occurred even in buildings less than five years old. It’s making insurers nervous and some are applying higher premiums to CLT constructions. Some key lessons about protecting against …
Aggregate heat loss testing (coheating) standard released
Good news: a European Standard for heat load testing has been released. I hope it will lead to more research that measures the performance gap (if any) between the heating load predicted by design stage energy modelling and as-built performance. Heat load testing is also known as co-heating testing, it’s a measure of a building’s thermal performance. The standard uses …
Streamlining Passive House design
There’s some anticipation about the release of easyPH, understandable given its promise to make Passive House design easier. Here’s some advice for new designers about how to streamline and simplify Passive House design, some of which is applicable to either PHPP or easyPH. Firstly, make sure you’re familiar with the subset of projects that can be designed using easyPH. This …
easyPH tool aims to simplify Passive House design
A new tool for Passive House designers aims to simplify the entry of data into the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software. Called easyPH, the beta version is bundled with PHPP 10.6. If coupled with modelling in designPH, easyPH will save a lot of time and should reduce stress for new Passive House designers, particularly if you review and follow …
Making certified Passive House tradesperson training even better
Ideas on how to make certified Passive House tradespersons training even better: that’s one of the things I took away from the THRIVE 2024 Passivhaus Conference in Melbourne. UK architect Julia Bennett gave a presentation called “Tackling Challenges in Passivhaus construction: Notes from the UK” and given Sustainable Engineering Ltd delivers training to the Passive House community in New Zealand, …
Highlights from the 2024 Thrive Passivhaus Conference
The Thrive 2024 Passivhaus Conference in Melbourne last week was great—here are my highlights. It was well worth nipping across the ditch for two days. (Was I really the only person from New Zealand in attendance?) I estimate there were about 320 people there, plus those at the trade show, a big turnout. Here were the top three sessions for …
Earthbuilding Standards x3 out for consultation
Three revised New Zealand Earthbuilding Standards are out for public comment. This is a great opportunity—very time limited—to review the content of the draft standards without having to purchase them. These are only available until 26 May 2024. Download the files here. There is general background on the Earth Building Association of New Zealand (EBANZ)’s website, available here. These standards …
Three steps to mitigate condensation risk in wall assemblies
Significant changes are proposed to minimum Code requirements for commercial buildings in Australia and I’ve been particularly interested in measures to mitigate condensation risk in walls. It’s important New Zealand Passive House designers and architects focus on those measures aimed at the parts of Australia with heating-dominated climates similar to ours. The report findings are worth reading, but here’s a …