Passive House

Consultation

Specific Aspect Limited Scope Consultation

Building Envelope and Component Analysis and Opinions

 

  • Review / analyze proposed building envelope assemblies and penetration details for vapor condensation mitigation.
  • Compare, analyze and provide opinions on various building components (thermal bridge mitigating framing systems, insulation types, air barriers, and vapor retarders, windows/doors, air-tight exhaust, and intake louvers, kitchen appliances, shading devices and dimensions, ERV / HRV’s, HVAC equipment, combination space, and water heating equipment, solar water heating systems, low energy pumps, lightning and lightning controls, renewable energy harvesting systems)
  • Review/summarize applicable building code or energy conservation code requirements applicable to protect climate zone.
  • Prepare a total building and room-by-room ventilation schedule. Provide opinion for system size and per-conditioning of OA.
  • Obtain/organize information for materials and equipment/systems that will require routine maintenance for best operation.

Complete Concept To PHIUS+ Certified Project

Introduction and Project Requirements

 

  • Determine project team members and the goal of meeting the PHIUS+ standard.
  • Summarize Passive House energy performance criteria applicable to the project’s specific climate.
  • Share and familiarize process toward PHIUS+ per-certification (after construction documents and energy model match) and certification (after QA/QC and matching construction documents and energy model to completed construction)

Establish responsibilities of project team members

Client

Leader/Inspirer – for whom the project is realized – keeps their own and other team member’s eys on the prize.

Architect/Building Designer

Preparer of drawings and other documentation of design, including updates through completion of construction

 

  • Information to be adequate to allow comprehensive energy modeling inputs by CPHCSM
  • Drawing set(s) to be to scale and include not less than site plan (including orientation, topography, location and elevation of neighboring buildings, location of trees or other items casting shadows on building), floor plans (with thermal envelope defined), exterior elevations building sections (with thermal envelope and continuous air barrier defined), details of thermal envelope junctures, details at air tight assemblies at windows/doors and component connections and HVAC plans/diagrams/notes.
  • Cut sheets and/or specifications for building envelope air barrier and insulation(s); space heating/cooling systems; service water heating systems; and other energy-using appliances and lighting
Rater / Verifier

QA/QC testing, inspection, and verification during construction

 

  • If to be a PHIUS+ certified project complete site inspections (USDoE ZERH plus PHIUS+ required checklists) and testing during construction in coordination with project team
  • Verify net air volume calculated by the CPHCSM
  • Conduct building air pressure leak tests (depressurization and pressurization CFM50 or CFM75)
  • Conduct ventilation and service/domestic hot water systems commissioning
Builder

Construction and coordination/scheduling of subcontractors and testing/verification by Rater

 
  • Maintain outline of project requirements and dates/results of verification site visits and tests
  • Cooperate with Building designer, CPHCSM, Rater and Verifier for execution of construction in accordance with design documents, modifications affecting the energy model, and site visits/testing/commissioning by Rater
  • Sign declaration that constructed building conforms to design and other documentation
CPHCsm

Creator and updater of energy model, coordination of and submittals and verification information to PHIUS

 

  • Confirm applicable climate data set from PHIUS for use in energy model.
  • Using information supplied by designer, prepare preliminary energy model (include sketchup 3D virtual model)
  • Complete hygrothermal analyses of building envelope assemblies proposed by designer
  • Recommend design modifications based on preliminary energy model results and building envelope design
  • Update energy model using more detailed information in cooperation with project team.
  • Calculate gross building volume and net air volume in coordination with designer.
  • Submit ‘passing performance’ energy model and matching design/construction drawings and specifications to PHIUS for pre-certification via uploading to PHIUS database.
  • Enter project description in PHIUS + database and Feedback Document.
  • Respond to requests from PHIUS – coordinate project team additional information requirements.
  • Correspond with designer, PHIUS, Contractor and Rater during construction.
  • Coordinate submittal of Rater tests and commissioning and Contractor construction supervisor declaration to PHIUS. If a PHIUS + project, PHIUS certified Rater will submit their inspections, tests and commissioning directly to PHIUS.
  • Submit construction progress and final completion photographs to PHIUS.
  • Submit other documentation as appropriate to document calculations, installations or final results to PHIUS.
  • Post verification results of final energy model near building’s main electric panel