Akira Living has extensive experience in computer generated energy modelling with the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and DesignPH software.  The software renders a 3D model of the house, which is useful during the design stage to get a digital tour and make revisions if required.  The energy model outputs data on where the house is losing heat energy and why.  The energy model is useful for optimizing heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system sizing and evaluating the cost effectiveness of various design choices (orientation of the house, window locations, amount of insulation in the walls, etc).  And most importantly, the energy model provides an accurate estimate on how the real house will perform if built to the same specification.  The energy model outputs data on monthly energy consumption to predict future operating (utility) costs.  Design choices directly affect energy consumption to heat or cool the house, which increases or decreases utility costs.  Essentially, we can put a value on a seemingly small or large change that will help a client make an intelligent design choice, that’s Akira Living.

A building enclosure tailored to suit the project’s specific climate is just as important during the summer months to maintain cool indoor conditions and reduce the occurrence of overheating.  The energy model can predict the occurrence of overheating in every house to make intelligent choices early in the design stage.  An airtight super-insulated building enclosure works more efficiently than installing active systems such as air conditioning units.  It is similar to a good quality camping cooler designed to reduce ice melt, which also depends on an airtight super-insulated enclosure.  Would you buy a poorly insulated camping cooler if you knew the constant expense of adding more ice?  This is an example of active system cooling that will end up costing more to use.  A cooling system is usually not necessary to maintain cool indoor conditions in a Passive House.