Concept 1: Design Stage Approval
The first of the three new concepts comes into play during the planning phase of the retrofit project. It establishes a preliminary and independent approval of energy efficiency relevant planning before construction begins. This Design Stage Approval procedure offers all parties involved – from the occupants to the architects to the funding bodies – the certainty that the targeted efficiency can actually be achieved. The Design Stage Approval concept for efficiency planning is already being used on a trial basis in the scope of outPHit’s pilot projects.
Concept 2: Renovation System Certification
The actual energy consumption of a refurbished building is also influenced by the quality of the components used. High levels of energy efficiency are best reached when all building elements used work well together. Prefabricated building modules, as used in outPHit projects, make renovation faster, but cannot be reworked on site. outPHit’s second quality assurance concept thus establishes a certification for renovation systems. The whole house renovation system certification concept for entire buildings facilitates compliance with the EnerPHit standard.
Concept 3: Verified Building Performance
The third quality check developed in outPHit is executed after a project has been commissioned. Architects, engineers and other construction stakeholders typically do not receive systematic feedback on the success of a retrofit. This is changed by the certification scheme on "verified building performance”. By verifying the energy efficiency of the building post construction, actual energy consumption in an occupied state can be certified and adjustments to building services settings can be made as needed.
"Lack of feedback on energy consumption in refurbishment projects is a missed opportunity to learn and optimise the construction industry. Verifying building performance will change that. Together, all three newly established concepts are a crucial step in ensuring the quality of deep renovations,” explains outPHit project manager Jan Steiger.
