HPCD summaries released by BRANZ

If you haven’t already reviewed the technical draft of our High-Performance Construction Details (HPCD) Handbook, BRANZ has just published two great summaries that pull out the high-performance wall and roof...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Does what it says on the tin

A study in the UK of 97 certified Passive House projects shows predicted heating demand was accurate in both flats and houses. Measurements were recorded for over a year of...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Apr 2021

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Toward net-zero building: put this paper on your reading list

Advances Toward a Net-Zero Global Building Sector is a BIG tech paper, happily published with open access so people outside of academic institutions can actually read it. See below for...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Retrofit alert: know when fire-rated components are called for

Fire rating of the building/windows is not something we usually need to worry about in new, detached single-family homes, as the clearance to the property boundaries is sufficient. But during...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Oct 2020

  • General Notes
    /
  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Local MVHR only 40% efficient, says BRANZ test

We go to great lengths to maintain the certified level of MVHR efficiency in the high-performance building projects we consult on. We recommend or specify cross-counter flow heat exchangers with...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Oct 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

BRANZ sees the light on mechanical ventilation

Holy sh*t. Talk about a big shift in perspective. Let’s repeat that: “BRANZ now recommends that residential buildings are mechanically ventilated and are built to an airtightness target.” This comes...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Oct 2020

  • General Notes
    /
  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Technical guidance for Formance SIP in Passive House projects

SIP manufacturer Formance has released a technical bulletin for designers focused on how to specify or calculate Formance panel performance for certified Passive House projects. The bulletin is based on...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Oct 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Understanding DataTables and Variants

Tech Tips with Toby Variants is a handy tool when using PHPP to model multiple design options within the one PHPP file. Suppose you’re trying different window frames, glazing or...

by Toby Brooke

Updated: Sep 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Mechnical ventilation is a no-brainer

Fresh air is good for people but also the buildings   I grumble about BRANZ, but the scientists working there are good people trying to fix problems with how we...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Even a ‘green grid’ has a carbon cost

We can’t solar panel our way out of climate change: energy demand must fall as well. And especially in the winter, when less solar energy is available! This alone is...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Nov 2023

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Reality check: PHPP accuracy in the real world

I’m sometime asked just how accurate PHPP’s models are. This great paper quantifies it. “Are the energy savings of the passive house standard reliable? A review of the as-built thermal...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Top 10 tricks for PHPP speed and ease

Tech Tips with Toby PHPP is the software Passive House designers use to model the performance of buildings—before they are built. It’s a front-end on an Excel spreadsheet. Now, most...

by Toby Brooke

Updated: Jun 2021

  • Certification Guidance
    /
  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

External insulation facade solutions: thermal facade clips

I’ve been asked about improving the performance of larger buildings. This often requires an external insulation facade solution but getting it right is not always obvious. I’m a fan of...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

New design choices possible in Queenstown and Wellington

Thermal comfort targets have been revised by the Passive House Institute for use in PHPP. Passive House certification requires that windows and doors meet specified thermal comfort targets*. This requirement...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jun 2021

  • Certification Guidance
    /
  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Attend the North American PH conference virtually

The North American Passive House Network annual conference will be a great event—and way cheaper than normal due to being virtual. The bad news is the timing sucks for Australia...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Owl Woods PH nails a design-stage retrofit for performance

Check out a beautiful project from across the Tasman, the Owl Woods Passive House. It’s the 10th certified Passive House in Victoria, Australia and it’s won or still a finalist...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

  • General Notes
    /
  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More

Great Passive House primer (includes eye candy and clear diagrams!)

This is a lovely summary of Passive House, written up as a Q&A with an American architect. There’s mention of an intriguing North American connection to the genesis of Passive...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

  • General Notes
    /
  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More
Image

Passive House (Passivhaus) Hospitals

Passive House Hospitals can have a 40-50% reduction in total energy use of the building, using efficient technologies already available, when compared to a conventional new hospital building. I’ve been...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

  • Technical Notes
    /
Read More