For residential projects, the Phius standards build upon 3rd party programs such as ENERGY STAR, EPA Indoor airPLUS, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home. These well-respected programs provide a baseline quality framework for design and construction inspection. For retrofits, some requirements are not mandatory and some retrofits do not apply, see Phius Certification Guidebook for details.
The Phius standard sets performance thresholds to regulate investment in passive conservation strategies. Targets 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.
Open the Phius 2021 Performance Criteria Calculator
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. Source energy use can be 'net' out on an annual basis with renewable energy. The Phius ZERO REVIVE 2021 net source energy limit is 0. On-site and off-site renewable energy offsets qualify to meet this target, though some options are weighted higher than others. See Certification Guidebook Appendix A for more details.
Superinsulation, high performance windows and efficient mechanical systems create a comfortable, quiet building
Phius-certified buildings go through a rigorous quality control process, ensuring safety for the environment and the building inhabitants.
Phius projects require minimal upfront costs, while guaranteeing substantial energy cost savings in the future.
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 outages.
The holistic design of Phius buildings and attention to detail in the enclosure make them uniquely built for the long haul.
Superb indoor air quality is a prerequisite for Phius certification – you can count on a healthy environment.