Achieve Phius CORE COMM

Phius CORE COMM is Phius' performance standard for non-residential buildings. It is rooted in passive building concepts and best practice, setting the industry standard baseline for net-zero building design.

The Phius CORE standard utilizes a three-prong framework:

Co-Requisite Programs & Other Quality Requirements

Nonresidential projects shall use the eligibility criteria for the EPA ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program (MFNCP), EPA Indoor airPLUS, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home and follow the checklist requirements for those programs. These well-respected programs provide a baseline quality framework for design and construction inspection to ensure the projects are not only energy efficient but also durable, comfortable, healthy buildings.

Space Conditioning Load Limits

The Phius standard sets performance thresholds to regulate investment in passive conservation strategies. Targets vary based on climate, building size, and occupant density and are set on for annual loads both peak and annual loads. Reduced peak loads provide comfort, thermal resilience during power outages, and reduced mechanical system sizes. Reduced annual loads provide lower annual operating costs for the building. Project-specific targets can be calculated using the Phius 2021 Performance Criteria Calculator.

Calculate Project Specific Targets

Source Energy Use Limit

Source Energy is Phius' metric used to assess the total energy use of the building. Source energy takes into account the amount of energy required to provide energy to a building site including losses in extraction, production, and transmission. The Phius CORE net source energy limit varies based on building size and occupant density and can be calculated using the Phius 2021 Performance Criteria Calculator.

Calculate My Project Specific Target

Phius CORE COMM provides

Comfort

Superinsulation, high performance windows and efficient mechanical systems create a comfortable, quiet building.

Safety

Phius-certified buildings go through a rigorous quality control process, ensuring safety for the environment and the building occupants.

Affordability

Phius projects require minimal to no additional upfront costs, while guaranteeing substantial energy cost savings in the future for building owners and tenants.

Resilience

Phius buildings have been proven to be more resilient in the event of natural disasters, such as wildfires, extreme heat and cold events and sustained power outages - providing a place of shelter when needed.

Long-Term Durability

The holistic design of Phius buildings and attention to detail in the enclosure make them uniquely built for the long haul.

Health

Superb indoor air quality is a prerequisite for Phius certification – you can count on a healthy environment. Healthy indoor air improves working conditions and cognitive performance.