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Energy Assessment: Recommended PassivHaus consultant?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorMarkBennett
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009 edited
     
    I'm looking for a good PassivHaus consultant to help assess some of the details around our proposed new-build, in particular at this point related to PHPP modelling, passive solar gain, likely duration of heating season, details of shading system to prevent summer over-heating, window selection (2G for solar gain/3G for lower loss trade-off) etc.

    Later it could spread into other topics around PassivHaus or the higher levels of CSH.

    Is there anyone on the forum who can offer this service, or can anyone recommend a consultant for me?

    Edit - located just east of Bath.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009
     
    Hey Mark, that my territory too - let us know if you find someone.
    • CommentAuthorMike George
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009 edited
     
    If you want someone speciffically PHPP qualified then I'd suggest looking on the AECB website http://www.aecb.net/forum/

    Otherwise maybe go down Tony's route and avoid all of the PH fees http://www.tonyshouse.info/
  4.  
    Posted By: fostertomHey Mark, that my territory too - let us know if you find someone.


    Will do. Found one website that looks good so far but not made contact yet. Also in touch with one energy consultant in Bristol, no direct PHPP experience but experience up to CSH L5. Meeting him in a couple of weeks to discuss the project and see how it goes.

    Will whisper the details.
  5.  
    Posted By: Mike GeorgeIf you want someone speciffically PHPP qualified then I'd suggest looking on the AECB websitehttp://www.aecb.net/forum/" >http://www.aecb.net/forum/


    Will do.

    Posted By: Mike George
    Otherwise maybe go down Tony's route and avoid all of the PH feeshttp://www.tonyshouse.info/" >http://www.tonyshouse.info/


    I'm pretty confident that the basic structure is right - it's some of the design details around passive solar gain, heating season and summer shading I need to sort out fairly quickly. While I'm confident I could get up to speed and do it myself I don't really have the time and need some answers on the shading (how big it needs to be and what it will look like) before we can put a planning application in. (Planners want to see more detail than normal at the planning application due to the house being out of character with the rest of the street and being in a highly visible location.)

    I don't trust SAP and want some more accurate modelling, hence PHPP. Most of the consultants seem to just be interested in boring SAP calculations - easy and profitable, but they run the risk of being left behind in the long term.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009 edited
     
    Do you have a local/county/regional Energy Performance Assessors Association, like e.g. http://www.dchi.org.uk . I addressed their monthly meeting and found them v surprisingly clued up, aware of the shortcomings of what they presently do, and impatient to improve their game. Some were tinkering with full Thermal modelling software. That was 6 months ago - probably more so since. Worth asking them.
  7.  
    Posted By: fostertomDo you have a local/county/regional Energy Performance Assessors Association, like e.g.http://www.dchi.org.uk" >http://www.dchi.org.uk. I addressed their monthly meeting and found them v surprisingly clued up, aware of the shortcomings of what they presently do, and impatient to improve their game. Some were tinkering with full Thermal modelling software. That was 6 months ago - probably more so since. Worth asking them.


    Nothing that I can find obviously. I'll keep my eyes open.
  8.  
    Whoops - thought that would be only backchannel, as I'm not sure that we're supposed to make individual recommendations on the site. Sorry if I've contravened rules!
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009
     
    If it came out in pink for you, it was indeed a Whisper. I can't see what you're referring to, don't worry.
  10.  
    Posted By: yclairejenkinsWhoops - thought that would be only backchannel, as I'm not sure that we're supposed to make individual recommendations on the site. Sorry if I've contravened rules!


    Don't worry - I can see it (in pink) and Tom can't so it was a whisper!
    • CommentAuthorStuartB
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009
     
    What is PHPP? Not in glossary.
  12.  
    Posted By: StuartBWhat is PHPP? Not in glossary.


    PassivHaus Planning Package.

    Basically a clever spreadsheet put together by the PassivHaus boffins to allow you to model a house according the the PassivHaus standard and see whether it complies or not, and model changes to see how it could be improved.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009
     
    I believe you can buy PHPP from the AECB but a search of the site returned nothing :(

    Fortunately, google knows better :) http://www.aecb.net/carbonlite/phpp.php

    Think of it as a 'design tool' or even a 'design guide'.
    • CommentAuthorpmusgrove
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009
     
    I have been using PHPP for the last couple of years and find it easy to use and very enlightening. You do need to spend some time working out exactly what is happening and a basic knowledge of German helps but it is well worth whatever it now costs. One word of caution and that is in building up the u-values. With good levels of insulation thermal bridging becomes critical so spend time thinking through that.
  15.  
    Hmm, there is also a demo spreadsheet available here: http://www.passivhaus.org.uk/index.jsp?id=672

    It has many of the calculations disabled but gives a good idea of the type of data that needs to be input. Looks like it will take a little while to gather all the data and get accustomed to it but is probably manageable. Perhaps I should consider doing the initial analysis myself.

    Even at £140 for the license it would work out cheaper than getting it modeled by a consultant and easier for me to play around with options.
    • CommentAuthorstephendv
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009
     
    Mark, I'd highly recommend getting a copy of the PHPP. It's really useful trying out different construction or design details to see how they'd affect the overall efficiency of the house. Particuarly good when working to a budget as you can play with the different variables, e.g. will it be cheaper to put more wall insulation, or to upgrade the glazing to achieve the same level of efficiency?
  17.  
    Keep an eye on the CarbonLite Programme for PHPP Training courses -
    http://www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php

    Mark
  18.  
    Posted By: Mark SiddallKeep an eye on the CarbonLite Programme for PHPP Training courses -
    http://www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php" >http://www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php

    Mark


    Mark,

    these might be good, but there are several courses and they are very expensive for a self-builder doing a one-off house.

    Is good support available on the forums?

    Thanks,
    Mark.
  19.  
    Hi all,

    having looked at the PHPP demo I've decided it's not too scary and that I'll probably spend as much time supporting a consultant as doing it myself. This will also allow me the relative ease to try different setups to see what the effect is much more quickly than with a consultant.

    So, I've sent off an order for PHPP, despite the astounding cost for spreadsheet.

    I'll let you know how I get on.

    Cheers,
    Mark.

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