Frequently Asked Questions
Courses
Which course should I take?
To learn the core principles of the Passive House Standard, you may have a look at the Passive House 101 online course.
If you are a building professional and want to learn how to design a Passive House/EnerPHit building and/or become an accredited Passive House Designer/Consultant, we recommend you to take the dedicated Passive House Designer/Consultant course.
We also organize tailor-made in-house training programs for firms, governmental and non-governmental organizations interested in learning to design, build and construct according to the Passive House standard.
Are there any online courses?
Yes, the Passive House 101 course and the Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant courses are held online.
Are there any discounts for students?
Yes, we have special discounts for students. If you are a student, please get in touch with us to provide you with a special discount code.
Can I get a Passive House Trainer to come talk at my firm/university?
Yes, this is what we call an in-house training. Passive House School will provide a world-class curriculum, supply all necessary course materials and a qualified instructor who will personally fly out to your offices/university to work with you and your team. We can organize it in the form of a 1-day workshop or a tailor-made course. If you are interested in this option, get in touch with us.
Where can I get trained to become a Certified Passive House Designer?
The best preparation for the exam is the Certified Passive House Designer online course. This online course will help you acquire all the knowledge and skills needed to design and construct Passive House buildings and will fully prepare you to successfully pass the exam and become a Certified Passive House professional.
Can I follow only the course without doing the exam?
Yes, the course could be taken even if you don’t want to participate in the Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant exam. On the other hand, if you are planning to take part in the exam we strongly recommend you to take part in the Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant course.
Are there any online Passive House building guidelines?
You can get the ‘Introduction to Passive Houses’ booklet for free from our homepage. Furthermore, new online courses and materials are coming up very soon, so… stay tuned!
Exams and Certificates
Who can register for the exam?
Anybody can register for the exam. While it is not mandatory to have attended the Certified Passive House Designer course, it is strongly recommended to increase your chance of success. However, it is important to mention that in order to take part in the exam, you should have a PHPP. You will need your PHPP code for the exam registration in the Passive House Institute database.
Which material can I bring to the exam?
You can bring any printed course material and notes to the exam. To save time, consider doing a summary of the main Passive House formulas and requirements. We also advise you to bring markers for the design exercise, as well as a (scientific) calculator with spare batteries.
Are there any preparation courses to pass the exam?
The Certified Passive House Designer online course will fully prepare you to successfully pass the exam. Moreover, module 2 of the course is purely focused on the preparation for the exam.
What happens after my certificate expires?
By submitting a project documentation, it is possible to renew a certificate at any time, even if your certificate has already expired some time ago. You can also renew your certificate through credit points for continuing education.
How can I become an internationally recognized Certified Passive House Designer?
You can earn the international designation of “Certified Passive House Designer” in one of two ways: by taking the Certified Passive House Designer Exam or by submitting a project documentation.
What is the difference between a Passive House Designer and a Passive House Consultant?
Both titles are equal in terms of qualification with reference to the Passive House relevant knowledge. The requirements for attaining this certificate and for renewal are also the same. The only difference between Certified Passive House Designers and Consultants depends on your background, as far as Designers come from highly relevant fields. Consultants, on the other hand, can come from any background. Normally, Passive House Designers work in planning offices on the concrete implementation of the Passive House Standard, while Passive House Consultants usually contribute to its dissemination through their work as researchers or speakers, or as decision makers in government authorities.
A clear classification is not always easy due to the diverse educational qualifications, professions and the legal provisions relating to buildings worldwide. For this reason, the Passive House Institute has specified two possibilities for classification as a “Certified Passive House Designer”:
- Providing proof of an educational qualification which enables you to plan buildings or technical building systems independently. This educational qualification should have reached a certain level (e.g. diploma or bachelor degree) and have been attained in a specialized subject which primarily involves the planning of buildings or building services systems.
- Providing proof of membership in an institution, whose members are entitled to provide planning services which are subject to approval by a building authority (e.g. Chamber of Architects).
You qualify for the Designer title if you have the following educational qualification:
- Architect or interior designer
- Civil or timber construction engineer
- Building physicist
- Building and energy technology engineer
- Building contractor
- Master carpenter
- Certified technician for structural engineering, building construction, heating plumbing and ventilation technology or supply technology
If you have the following educational qualification, you qualify for the Consultant title:
- Degree in (analytical) chemistry, electrical engineering or manufacturing engineering
- Engineering degree in environmental technology and resource management
- Construction industry environmental safety technician
- Environmental engineer
- Gas, plumbing and ventilation systems technician
- Woodwork technician
- Certified technician for electronics
- Energy consultant
- Architectural draftsman
- Geometrician
- Woodwork technician for window installation
- Managing director
- Property sales manager/estate agent
- Economist
Note: You just have to provide a copy of the proof to your course/examination host or assessing body. The attained Consultant title can be changed into the Designer title, if such proof is only obtained and submitted later on (e.g. taking an examination during training). If no proof is submitted, the Consultant title will be granted upon successful qualification.