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U value calculator app – Now released on Android #Passivhaus
Finally after months of development and testing, our U value calculator app UValue is released on Android.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ANDROID VERSION OF THE APP You can also download the app by clicking on the App icon to the right.
Below are a few screen grabs that show the key features:
• Scalable high resolution graphics for all Android phones and tablets
• Ability to enter your own materials, thicknesses and conductivities as opposed to searching in scrolling lists
• Calculates for floors, walls, roofs and ceilings and adjusts the interior and exterior thermal resistance values accordingly (in accordance with DIN EN 6946 Section 5, Chart 1.)
• This release is on Android, iOS released Easter 2015
• Includes settings for underground wall, rain screen or warm/cold roof constructions
• Information/settings screen
• Ability to reset all values or delete individual lines
• Adheres to Passivhaus methodology of calculating U values (excluding thermal bridging – see below)
• Links to TeachPassiv.com and additional Passivhus resources, news & FACT SHEETS
• This version totally free of charge
Screen grab showing main screen with unfilled data
Screengrab showing main screen with data entered & resultant calculation
Screen grab of settings/information screen
Why did we create the app? I was looking for a simple U value app that gave the ability of quickly entering data, allowed a quick comparison between different constructions/insulation and supplemented the PHPP U value calculations (the app is not intended to replace PHPP). I found that the app didn’t exist and we (myself and my coding maestro son Conor) decided to fill the gap in the market.
The app is free of charge and is used as a marketing aid for TeachPassiv.com and the architecture and Passivhaus Design Practice Mark Stephens Architects
The app does not currently take account of thermal bridges, this is going to be addressed in a subsequent version.
If you find any bugs or inaccuracies in the app, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@teachpassiv.com
You can read the Privacy Statement regarding the app HERE
The app is not supported or endorsed by the Passivhaus Institute, does not replace the U value calculations in PHPP and is for entertainment purposes only e&oe.
New Fact Sheet on #Passivhaus TEAMWORK! added
A new Fact Sheet on Passivhaus TEAMWORK! has been added to the FACT SHEETS section of website
Passivhaus is cheaper than standard build @encraft_uk @Kate_de @phplusmag mentioned
A recent study by Encraft shows that taking into account the whole life cost of a house, Passive House construction is 2-5% lower than traditional construction methods.
CLICK HERE for the article and HERE for the full article.(788kb)
This article concurs with the article posted by Kate de Selincourt last year for Passive House Plus magazine that explains how the perception that Passive House is more expensive has come about.
CLICK HERE for the post & link to article by Kate de Selincourt
It should be remembered that both pieces of research are UK based and that in Ireland (where the Building Regulations are much closer to Passive House standards), the cost saving differential is much greater.
New #Passivhaus Fact sheet added – Passive House Tradesperson course @Target_Zer0 & @passiveacademy mentioned
A new fact Sheet has been added to the FACT SHEETS section of website
Or alternatively CLICK HERE to download the Passive House Tradesperson Fact sheet.
Passive House Tradesperson Courses mentioned in the fact sheet are provided by TargetZero and Passive House Academy
Excellent post by @ElrondBurrell ‘On what the Passive House standard is NOT’
Link to excellent post below by Elrond Burrell on what this Passive House standard is NOT:
Passivhaus Primer: Airtightness Guide @BREWatford mentioned
Passivhaus Primer: Airtightness Guide
Click below for excellent guide on:
‘Airtightness and air pressure testing in accordance with the Passivhaus standard‘
From Passivhaus.org.uk
How Brussels moved from UK style building regs to making #Passivhaus mandatory; Ireland could do same?
I saw this tweet by @MariaSfyraki recently on the Passivhaustrust website outlining how Brussels have moved from a UK style Building Regulations to mandatory Passivhaus. Is this something Ireland should consider?
Click HERE to open the document
#Passivhaus Fact Sheet 16 – #PHPP Hitting Airtightness Requirements
This Fact Sheet (below) focusses on Airtightness and it’s relevance in PHPP
Fact Sheet No. 16 – PHPP ‘ Airtightness – Hitting the target’ – Click to download pdf (907Kb)
#Passivhaus Fact Sheet 15 – #PHPP Hitting Primary Energy Requirements
This Fact Sheet on ‘Hitting Primary Energy Requirements in PHPP’ was harder to write than that on Space Heating Demand as there’s a lot of variables concerning frequency of use and energy consumption figures; I have however tried to keep it to the single sheet (in line with all the other FACT SHEETS in the FACT SHEETS section and also to provide information for those new to Passivhaus as well as the more experienced practitioners (who I know read the blog and I welcome any corrections from these highly skilled readers). Link below to Fact Sheet No. 15:
#Passivhaus analysis of integrating timber beams into the airtight layer
Interesting document HERE on how timber beams should be integrated into a Passivhaus airtight construction.
Fact Sheet 11 – Case Study 1: Passivhaus Cavity Wall insulation UK/Ireland
Fact Sheet 11, The first of the Case Studies looks at comparisons & differences to Passivhaus cavity wall insulation between UK and Ireland:
Fact Sheet No. 11 – Case Study – Cavity Wall Insulation – Click to download pdf (334Kb)
Again this is included in the FACT SHEETS section of web site
#Passivhaus Fact Sheet No.10 out on Thermal Bridges
Fact Sheet Number 10 is out on Thermal Bridges:
Fact Sheet No. 10 – Thermal Bridges – Click to download pdf (321Kb)
Again this is included in the FACT SHEETS section of web site
#Passivhaus professionals reach over 4000 in world ! via @phplusmag
If there’s any evidence that Passivhaus is not a fad is that the number of Certified Passivhaus Designers/Consultants (of which Mark Stephens Architects are one) now reaches over 4000 as reported by Passive House + Magazine
For the full article and details CLICK HERE
Fact Sheet No. 9 – Enerphit for Passivhaus retrofitting projects is out!
The latest Passivhaus Fact Sheet (No. 9) on the Passivhaus Enerphit Standard (276Kb) is ready to DOWNLOAD
Again this is included in the FACT SHEETS section of web site
Fact Sheet No.5 Ready – Passivhaus Construction
We’ve added Fact Sheet No.5 on Passivhaus Construction to the FACT SHEETS section.
Now that’s the ‘Fundamentals’ dealt with, it’s time to get technical…
Fact Sheet No.4 on Passivhaus design is out: @ParsonsWhittley @zowark featured
Fact Sheet Number 4 on Passivhaus Design is out, next one will be on Passivhaus construction…
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET ON PASSIVHAUS DESIGN (1Mb)
Special thanks to:
Zeno Winkens for
Clauson House Co. Wexford, Winkens Architecture
Isover Energy Efficiency Award 2013 WINNER
Finalist Irish Building and Design Awards Sustainable/Green Project of the Year 2014
Finalist The Green Residential Building Green Awards 2013
http://www.winkens.ie/lownrghse.htm
and
Chris Parsons of Parsons + Whittley Architects for the 3 dwellings at Burnham Overy Staithe for Hastoe
You can download the Fact sheet HERE or via the FACT SHEETS section where you can download the previous sheets.
TeachPassiv #Passivhaus Fact Sheet No. 3 out: The Passivhaus Design Team
Fact sheet No. 3 out now: The Passivhaus Design Team
Details who you should appoint and why to build your ultra-low energy Passivhaus.
#Passivhaus Fact Sheet No. 2 out: Common Passivhaus Misconceptions
Fact Sheet Number 2 is out, click on link below & is also added into FACT SHEETS section:
Fact Sheet No.1 – What is a Passivhaus?
After hearing that I have passed my Certified Passivhaus Consultant/Designer exam; I am now focussing on developing the TeachPassiv website. This starts with a series of ‘Fact Sheets’ on Passivhaus design, methodology & execution. And where best to start is at the beginning with ‘What is a Passivhaus’:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET ‘WHAT IS A PASSIVHAUS’ (245Kb)
Welcome
Welcome to a brand new web site developed by Mark Stephens Architects to impart knowledge and information on the design and construction of Passivhaus buildings.
TeachPassiv 