1. •Assignment of an accurate HERS Index to buildings that meet the Passive House building energy standard; HERS Index scores are required by a wide range of federal, state and utility incentives, rebates and tax credits
   

2. •Rigorous quality assurance—recognized by RESNET, the leading energy rating organization in the United States. That means confidence for owner, design team, code and compliance officials, and financial institutions.
   

3. •Eligibility for LEED for Homes points, Energy Star certification, and recognition in other national, regional and state green building programs
   

4. •Listing on the PHIUS quality-assured passive house project database. The database lists project that meet passive house performance requirements, have been assigned an accurate HERS index, and undergone extensive passive house-specific onsite third party verification.
   

The PHIUS+ certification program shifts the focus from design verification to stringent Quality Assurance/Quality Control on site performed by highly skilled and specialized raters. This is the best way to assure that predicted performance and quality expectations on the envelope are actually going to be met. The QA/QC program can help qualified projects earn significant financial incentives based on the passive house adjusted performance assessment through HERS.

How PHIUS+ Works

Here’s an overview of the process:

1. 1.A project submitter—typically a PHIUS-registered Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)—uploads a specified list of drawings and schedules—including a complete Passive House Planning Package (PHPP*) for the project—to the PHIUS certification database.
   

2. 2.PHIUS reviews the plans. Typically, the review includes back-and-forth communication with the submitter.
   

3. 3.If the plans meet requirements, the project receives Pre-certification status. At that point, the project team chooses a RESNET-qualified PHIUS-approved rater for the project. 
   

4. 4.The PHIUS+ Rater reviews plans, performs on-site inspections at important junctures, and completes the final testing—including the blower door and ventilation commissioning protocols.
   

5. 5.The rater provides full QA/QC reports. If the finished project performs to Passive House standards, it receives final certification as a PHIUS+ Certified project. All projects automatically receive a HERS Index and may qualify for other energy ratings (Energy Star, LEED for Homes, etc.).
   

Getting Started

If you are a designer or builder interested in submitting a project for PHIUS+ certification, we suggest that you:

1. •Note that a fully completed Passive House Planning Package (PHPP*) is mandatory to begin the process. PHIUS recommends that a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) completes the PHPP.
   

2. •Request the PHIUS+ and Passive House Certification Packet. To request a packet and other information by emailing: certification@passivehouse.us
   

Carefully review those documents; if you decide to pursue PHIUS+, they include instructions on the next steps.

* PHPP is a trademark of Passivhaus Institut of Darmstadt, Germany, with which PHIUS has no affiliation. The PHPP product may be acquired through licensed representatives in North America.