What is the EnerPHit Standard?
The EnerPHit standard is a retrofit certification designed for energy-efficient renovations of existing buildings. While similar to the Passive House standard, EnerPHit focuses on achieving high energy performance in situations where full Passive House upgrades are not possible. This makes it an ideal choice for retrofitting older buildings. Key elements include improving thermal insulation, maximizing airtightness, and using efficient heating systems to reduce energy demand. The goal is to create comfortable, energy-efficient spaces that significantly lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions while maintaining the integrity and functionality of existing structures.
EnerPHit also emphasizes sustainable practices by integrating renewable energy sources and improving indoor air quality, ensuring that the living environment is not only energy-efficient but also healthier for occupants. The standard is particularly important as it helps address the growing demand for eco-friendly renovations, providing a clear pathway to reducing the carbon footprint of the existing housing stock and improving long-term building performance.
In essence, EnerPHit offers a practical solution for upgrading buildings to modern energy standards, helping achieve environmental goals and offering significant cost savings through reduced heating and energy consumption. The standard is applicable to both residential and commercial properties, providing a flexible and scalable approach to energy-efficient building renovations.
There are three different levels of EnerPHit Certification:
EnerPHit Classic: The basic level of certification for retrofits meeting the core EnerPHit criteria.
EnerPHit Plus: An advanced level that requires additional energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.
EnerPHit Premium: The highest level of certification, demanding the most stringent energy performance and renewable energy requirements.
The specific level achieved depends on two main factors:
The Primary Energy Renewable (PER) demand of the building
The amount of renewable energy generated on-site
Estimated Carbon Emissions Reduction by Sector
Retrofitting Ireland’s building stock to the EnerPHit standard could potentially lead to substantial reductions in carbon emissions, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals. The EnerPHit standard, developed by the Passive House Institute, is specifically designed for retrofitting existing buildings to achieve high levels of energy efficiency.
According to Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings accounted for approximately 12.3% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, with residential buildings responsible for 9.7% and commercial/public buildings for 2.6%. Retrofitting to EnerPHit standards could dramatically reduce these emissions. Studies have shown that EnerPHit retrofits can achieve up to 75% reduction in energy demand for heating, which translates to significant carbon emission reductions.
The impact of widespread EnerPHit retrofits in Ireland could be substantial. For instance, a study comparing conventional retrofits to EnerPHit standards revealed that EnerPHit retrofits could reduce operational carbon emissions by up to 94%. This level of reduction, if applied across most of Ireland’s building stock, would make a considerable contribution to the country’s goal of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.
Moreover, the benefits of EnerPHit retrofits extend beyond just operational emissions. The whole-life carbon impact of buildings retrofitted to EnerPHit standards is significantly lower than conventionally retrofitted buildings. One analysis showed that EnerPHit retrofits could reduce whole-life carbon emissions by 60-65% compared to conventional retrofits. This comprehensive approach to carbon reduction aligns well with Ireland’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
EnerPHit Case Studies
