For Passive House calculations members of iPHA can use their tool to generate files for PHPP An indicative climate file can be generated here with this tool. Remember that the file is defined for the northern hemisphere and must be altered using the Climate data tool for the Southern Hemisphere. https://www.building.govt.nz/getting-started/climate-change-work-programme/resources/weather-files-aotearoa-new-zealand The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has released updated weather …
To advance Passive House, stop myth-busting and start reframing
Presentations by Jess Berentson-Shaw from The Workshop were a highlight of this and previous year’s PHINZ conferences. She offers science-based advice on how the Passive House community can most effectively influence the adoption of a building standard that creates warm healthy buildings and solves a lot of social problems. In 2019, when she first delivered a keynote address, I’d just …
ByggaF standard addresses moisture risks in a systematic process
I field questions often that go something like, what is the best way to build a CLT roof or an ICF window install or handle a three-way junction between heavy cladding, slab edge insulation and a thermally broken aluminium sliding door. My answer to all these questions is very often the same: It depends. I say this knowing it’s not …
Temperature extremes impact personal productivity
This idea that productivity at work is linked to comfortable temperatures has been studied for many years. There’s plenty of data we can draw on to make the case for designing work environments to the Passive House performance standard, which makes thermal comfort mandatory. Offices are one thing, but warehouses, factories and stores are typically less well heated or cooled …
Ways to earn continuing education credits
Did you know your PHINZ/APA membership gives you access to leading international educational material from iPHA? And if you watch iPHA’s webinars live or very soon after, you’ll earn Passive House continuing education (CE) credits. Passive House qualification renewal This is very helpful for Passive House designers/consultants/tradespeople who want to renew their qualification but don’t qualify via the project method …
Why new H1 requirements impact rammed earth construction
The improvements introduced in 2023 to the H1 Energy Efficiency requirements of the New Zealand Building Code have implications for those wishing to build their homes from some natural building materials, in particular rammed earth. Rammed earth has featured in some high-profile architectural builds in recent years, like the NZIA 2023 award winner in Otago pictured above. Rammed earth has …
designPH course now available on-demand
You can supercharge your designPH skills and improve your Passive House energy modelling whenever it suits you: our short course is now available on-demand. This is particularly useful for anyone wanting to complete the prerequisites for sitting PHI’s PHPP Expert exam*. Our team leans heavily on designPH software because it makes our energy modelling and consulting work faster and more …
PHINZ conference highlights solutions to NZ winter energy problem
PHINZ’s annual conference has just finished in Wellington—it was a great weekend and a welcome opportunity to catch up with colleagues-friends. The programme dived deeply into carbon emissions and how to slash them—embodied as well as operational emissions. Various presentations reinforced a series of important facts: Net zero targets/emission caps can’t be met without significantly reducing the total carbon associated …
Roofing detail provides for ventilation and adequate insulation
This detail is a good example of how to have a thin roofline but still sufficient insulation for an R6.6 roof. The advice may vary for a specific project, but in general it’s much more robust to ventilate under the metal roofing using an above sheathing ventilation setup. This can be done with 40mm of thickness if a slim profile …