Passive House Planning Package (PHPP)
The new PHPP 10 is now available!
The PHPP is the building energy modeling software used to design Passive House buildings and it is an essential part of the building design process.
The energy modelling software for Passive House and Low Energy buildings
The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is an MS Excel-based energy balance and efficiency design tool for highly energy efficient buildings and retrofits, which provides all relevant calculations and verifications in a clear and simple way. With PHPP version 10, several new functions are released in addition to feature extensions.
With the PHPP you can create a complete building model and use it to determine the energy performance of both the whole building and its individual elements. Every design change will be instantly displayed and you will be able to efficiently rule out non-compliant designs and optimize the building performance.
The reliability of the calculation results and ease of use of this planning tool has already been experienced by several thousand users. In the context of accompanying scientific research in several completed projects in various climates, measured results were compared with the calculated results. In the process, a high correlation could be demonstrated between the demand calculated using the PHPP and the consumption ascertained through scientific monitoring projects. With careful planning of building efficiency, there will be no performance gaps.
The main features of the PHPP software are:
- Determine the most suitable form of the building and the impact of design choices on energy efficiency
- Calculate the required performance level of individual components such as wall insulation, windows, etc. and their influence on the energy balance of the building in winter and in summer
- Calculate the heating and cooling load, the frequency of overheating and dehumidification demand
- Determine the size, layout and required performance of mechanical systems
- Calculate the demand for renewable primary energy (PER) per year and the primary energy demand (PE) of all energy services in the entire building
- Evaluate different design options based on the life-cycle costs
- Verify whether the building meets certification criteria for Passive House, PHI Low Energy buildings and EnerPHit retrofits
What's new in version 10?
NEW: Risk assessment to ensure summer comfort
The calculation of he overheating frequency was supplemented with a stress test for summer comfort when passive cooling concepts are used. Summer comfort and the frequency of overheating are greatly dependent on the behaviour of occupants in the building, which influences factors such as air exchange via windows in the summer, night ventilation, temporary shading or internal heat gains.
Besides a set of pre-defined risk parameters, the manual input of different user behaviours is also possible
New: Comparison with monitoring data
In the worksheet MONI, the PHPP calculation can be adjusted to actual boundary conditions such as weather data or room temperatures, in a given measurement period in order to make the actual consumption values comparable with the calculation results in the PHPP. Several results in PHPP, like heating demand, energy demand for domestic hot water or electricity, can thereby be compared to monitoring results
New: Room Data tool and Record tool
The Passive House Planning Package PHPP 10 contains a new external too, the so-called Room Data tool. The Room Data tool allows the systematic determination of essential input variables for the PHPP providing assistance especially for complex projects. It can easily be extended and adapted depending on the requirements of the project. The calculated intermediate results can be transferred into the PHPP.
This file contains templates for secondary calculations to the PHPP in different worksheets. It also serves to document changes in the calculations, which is very useful for communication among those involved in the project.
Apart from this, the file also includes the Record worksheet which is a systematic record of changes during planning, and their impact on the main energy efficiency results of the building, thus making them traceable.
The full list of all new features in the Passive House Planning Package version 10, you can find in this article.
Variant calculation with data entry for renewables of PV or solar thermal
This worksheet was supplemented with input variables for renewable energy generation from solar thermal systems and photovoltaics. Thereby it is also possible to include renewable energy sources into the EnerPHit Retrofit Plan, ERP, and thereby demonstrate the achievement ot he EnerPHit classes Plus or Premium for staged retrofits.
Project overview
This project overview has been redesigned and further developed, including new result charts, and a column to export data which enables the transfer of relevant information into the Passive House project database.
New component categories for heat pumps and combined ventilation and split units
New certified components categories have been added to PHPP. In addition to heat pumps you can now enter combined ventilation and split units.
In the worksheet cooling, the seasonal energy efficiency ratio of the cooling units can now be determined more accurately based on the device properties. Other types of operation, e.g. combined supply air and recirculation cooling via the ventilation system were added.
Data entry of window systems and curtain wall façades
The input of transparent components was extended and now also allows the input of windows with multiple panes or curtain wall façades in a single row. In this way, values for threshold profiles or the geometry of different frame sections can also be entered.
PHPP 10 comes with an extensive online manual
Buy the Passive House Planning Package version 10
PHPP 10
The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is an easy to use planning tool for energy efficiency for the use of architects and planning experts.
After you purchase PHPP 10, you will receive a link to download the software and access the digital manual.
INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE: an online manual.
$219 excl. tax
$200 excl. tax
Frequently Asked Questions
If your questions aren’t covered below, you can contact us or chat with us.
The PHPP is provided as an MS Excel workbook in xlsx / xlsm format. System requirements are Microsoft Windows XP (or higher) and Microsoft Excel 2007 (or higher). On the Macintosh, the PHPP works from Excel for Mac 2011 (or higher). As far as the authors are aware, the PHPP can also be used with the current versions of OpenOffice or LibreOffice. However, depending on the platforms used and their programming, the functionality of the calculation tool or the implemented macros may be restricted.
PHPP is only ever issued as a single user license including an extensive manual. With the purchase of this license the user receives a registration number with which the license of the PHPP has to be registered. Only through this registration do users get access to the download of the PHPP, the online flipbook of the manual and to updates of the calculation tool, component and climate data, as well as an upgrade discount when purchasing a new version of PHPP or designPH
Yes, PHPP10 is fully compatible with designPH2.
Yes, the fee for the PHPP tool is one-time. Future software upgrades are paid extra.
If you are upgrading from an older version of PHPP, you will get a discount. Please send your PHPP code to support@passivehouseschool.com and we will send you the discount code.
Students and iPHA members get a 10% discount.
If you are an iPHA Member, please send an email to support@passivehouseschool.com with a link to your iPHA membership to provide you with a discount code.
If you are a student, please send your proof of enrollment to support@passivehouseschool.com from your student email address.