The latest Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) standard, expected to be released early next year, contains a prescriptive path option that could reduce the cost of certification.
Passive House 2021+ is expected to include the ability to achieve certification without a requirement for a Passive House consultant and the attendant modeling that goes with it. The Prescriptive Design Review checklist is four pages plus footnotes. It is similar to ENERGY STAR rater checklists.
The new Prescriptive Path provides an online calculator that requires a few entries to determine minimum R-values and maximum window U factor. These provisions include a window U factor maximum of .25, R-31 for cantilevered floors, R-61 for roof or ceiling insulation, and R-20 for slabs and floors over unconditioned space. Alternatively, one can provide a calculation that meets the same overall UA as the prescriptive requirements. This allows for tradeoffs.
Related Stories
Hotel Facilities | Jan 13, 2016
Hotel construction should remain strong through 2017
More than 100,000 rooms could be delivered this year alone.
Market Data | Jan 6, 2016
Census Bureau revises 10 years’ worth of construction spending figures
The largest revisions came in the last two years and were largely upward.
Market Data | Jan 5, 2016
Majority of AEC firms saw growth in 2015, remain optimistic for 2016: BD+C survey
By all indications, 2015 was another solid year for U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Market Data | Jan 5, 2016
Nonresidential construction spending falters in November
Only 4 of 16 subsectors showed gains
Market Data | Dec 15, 2015
AIA: Architecture Billings Index hits another bump
Business conditions show continued strength in South and West regions.
Market Data | Dec 7, 2015
2016 forecast: Continued growth expected for the construction industry
ABC forecasts growth in nonresidential construction spending of 7.4% in 2016 along with growth in employment and backlog.
