About Passivhaus

Why do we need Passivhaus Training? Well, what is a Passivhaus?

Passivhaus is a low energy design standard, that achieves exceptionally comfortable buildings with minimal carbon emissions.

Some of the key characteristics of a Passivhaus include:

• Excellent levels of thermal comfort
• Very low energy demands
• Provision of consistent fresh air throughout the building
• High levels of insulation
• Airtight design resulting in draught free construction
• Low energy costs
• Minimal/low thermal bridge levels

A Passivhaus has rigorous design standards and can be certified to prove the building has been designed to the assured Passivhaus criteria. Local weather data is used to ensure the building is in tune with its location.

Passivhaus Certification

Passivhaus certification is an independent process that ensures Passivhaus standard for complete buildings, building components and building designers and contractors. Certification can be seen as the formal assessment and approval of the quality of a project, or component.

Types of Certification

The different types of certification include buildings (to be a certified Passivhaus), components (a building component that has been approved by the Passivhaus Institute), or people (designers, consultants, tradespersons that have carried out specified training courses).

Today, we will focus on the types of certification for people!

Certified Designer

Certification for designers or consultants who have expertise to design and deliver Passivhaus buildings. These people will have completed a Passivhaus training course to ensure full understanding of the Passivhaus principles and requirements. The qualification must be renewed every five years. There are also advanced qualifications such as Trainer, PHPP Expert, and others.

Certified Tradespeople

A certified tradesperson is someone who has a key understanding of Passivhaus principles such as airtightness. The tradesperson must have taken a Passivhaus Tradesperson training course. There are also advanced qualifications including Retrofit Expert and Site Supervisor.

Certifiers

In order for a building to receive Passivhaus certification, it must be signed off by an independent certifier. Certifiers have in depth Passivhaus experience, an expertise in PHPP, a Passivhaus Designer/Consultant qualification and a Passivhaus Certifiers qualification.

Passivhaus Training UK

We have put together a list of some of the places where you can take your Passivhaus Training Course in the UK.

Other Complementary Passivhaus Training

Below we share some other organisations that provide training that would compliment your Passivhaus learning and increase knowledge of some of the main Passivhaus principles.

Passive House Institute Training Courses