Introduction to main features

Microsoft have had the facility to add custom buttons on a ribbon (toolbar) in Excel for some time. Tim Martel and the AECB have teamed up to create one for PHPP which speeds up common tasks and extends what PHPP can do. No special PHPP is needed. PHribbon includes Cradle to Grave Embodied CO2:

Features Beginners might like  Features Advanced PHPP users might like
Climate easier selection of climate region using a more detailed map map shows what counties are in what region, the address of the site defines the region
U-values library of typical constructions to start from
(R-values for the US version)		 library of typical constructions that you can copy from previous projects and edit
Lambda values list of common lambda values
(R-values/inch for the US version)		 lambda 90/90 vales & link to BBA certificates useful for certification
Orientation tool very simple way of entering bearings of each wall Draws outline of building as a crosscheck (if you have entered wall lengths)
Wall Shading quick to enter, this part of PHPP easily missed gives absorbtivity and emissivity of a range of common materials
Window tool enters different window styles quickly, in mm or m,
calculates the d-reveal, and enters the other info
  • advanced formulas option will adjust the d reveal if you change window details later, if your design changes
  • you can now use formulas in the dimensions you enter, e.g. instead of the window width 2400 you can enter =600+1800
D reveal tool  an alternative to the window tool, calculates the d reveal and d over if you have already filled out the Windows and Components tabs
  • you can use formulas in dimensions, as in the window tool
  • there is an option to use an advanced formula which will  update the d reveal and d over if you change the window frame type later
CheckPHPP runs through a standard check for PHPP and gives you a list of what is OK and what needs attention
  •  you can customise the checks you do, add your own checks, remove them or just temporarily ignore some
  • update option allows you to make changes to several PHPPs
Summarise PHPPs List results for recent PHPPs you have done useful to summarise a large development where you have many individual PHPPs for different blocks.

Build PHPP

Climate Select the climate region using county boundaries
U-values Enter U-value assemblies and refine with λ-values. Both with editable libraries and links to BBAs.
Areas Enter the orientation of walls, draws the outline of your building to check your wall entries (if you’ve included wall lengths), second tab with further wall info.
Window Tool Enters the dimensions, ‘1’s and ‘0’s, and enters dreveal and shading
Ventilation Enters the sheltering info from a menu
Protect Sheets Protects all the heat loss sheets, use if you unprotected them while editing
Check PHPP Takes you to cells with common items to check, keeps a record of your response, customisable

Window Tool

The window tool helps you add windows by entering much of the data for you. On the windows tab it enters the dimensions, ‘1’s and ‘0’s and name and quantity. On the Shading tab it puts together a specific formula for the d reveal, and d over. The advanced formulas option for the d reveal can accommodate updates to the width of the whole window, width of each pane, changes to the frame selection and changes to frame dimensions.  This minimises the amount of work you have to do as the design evolves. Some window styles allow you to change the quantity of middle panes (these are marked with blue shading). You can now choose, for example, a 3 pane window and change the quantity of the middle pane to 10 if they are all the same, to get a 12 pane window. The d reveal will still be correct if you change the quantity of any pane.

A new D reveal tool calculates the d reveal (and d over) where you already have the window tab and frame information entered.

Daylight Factor

This exports window information to a daylight factor spreadsheet by Mark Siddall of LEAP. It helps you plan window sizes which give enough daylight without over-provision. Good windows have 5x the heat loss of a good wall so it is important not to over size them.

Embodied CO2

The PHPP already has quantities of 75% of the materials of the building, this button makes it relatively straightforward to obtain lifetime CO2 using an extensive list of hundreds of EPDs. The calculation is for the full lifetime Embodied CO2 suitable for design stage estimates of RIBA 2030 challenge (though an official RICS calculation requires more). Read more 

  • PAS2035 – on its way soon will be a tool to calculate the Improvement Option Evaluation required in PAS2035 for retrofits
  • Compatibility – all tools are compatible with  earlier versions of PHPP: 9.3, 9.1 and 8.5 as well as 9.6. Copy constructions from older projects, estimate retrofit costs or Embodied CO2
  • Retrofit Costing – links to rates of master PHribbon list, allowing you to update results automatically if you change the rates in the master list. Read more
  • Certifier Export – a new button creates the summary certifiers need to send to the Passivhaus Institute
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