About this course
Passive House Consultant Mike Duclos teaches how to apply Passive House principles in the real world. With a brief nod to theory and computation, this course will mainly focus on tips, tricks, pitfalls, and what to expect when making Passive House a reality. Through case studies, videos, readings, quizzes, and Mike’s guidance you will enhance your ability to be a part of a Passive House project team, the most vital component of any successful Passive House project.
Through the lens of existing Passive House projects, expect to learn:
- How to pitch and promote the PH standard to stakeholders
- Considerations for client management in PH
- Budget evaluation and the feasibility of affordable PH
- How to evaluate the pros and cons of casement, fixed and tilt and turn windows, and other PH considerations
- Site evaluation examples, tips, and tricks
- Common pitfalls to avoid before, during, and after PH design and construction
- Avoiding common Passive House problems: thermal bridging, critters, moisture control, ventilation, etc.
- Climate considerations and implications
- How to assemble, manage and optimize your project team
- Identifying and minimizing project schedule risks
Course outline
6 modules
11 - 13 hours to complete
10:38 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 0 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 0 assignments
Orientation Materials
This is a self-study on demand course. This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
Module 1 • 12 assignments
Setting the Stage – Why Passive House and Why Now?
Module 1 • 12 assignments
Setting the Stage – Why Passive House and Why Now?
Topics: Historical context, review of the Passive House Standard, energy language primer, comparison of building rating systems, use of energy modeling to improve performance, how challenging is Passive House space heat demand, Passive House and HERS, case study: a 35+ year old super-insulated home.
- Introduction to Passive House in the Real World (05:46 minutes)
- Historical Background of Passive House (21:19 minutes)
- Historical Background of Passive House - Quiz
- Energy Language (26:14 minutes)
- Energy Language - Quiz
- Energy Modeling (24:20 minutes)
- Energy Modeling - Quiz
- Leger House - Video (16:50 minutes)
- Leger House - Quiz
- Energy Language Homework (.xls)
- Energy Modeling Homework - Rev. 1.2 (.xls)
- Week 1 Resources (.pdf)
Module 2 • 17 assignments
Enclosures, Assemblies, and Systems – Through the Lens of Existing Projects
Module 2 • 17 assignments
Enclosures, Assemblies, and Systems – Through the Lens of Existing Projects
Topics: Psychometrics, moisture control, thermal bridging, ventilation and case studies, environmental impact of insulation, and minimizing that impact, a Passive House in winter without heating, window strategies. Learn from case studies and examples how to optimize these elements of Passive House design, and construction.
Most of you have probably watched All About Windows and Passive vs Conventional Floor Planning, but if any have not, they are included here for convenience, it is a good idea to watch them before the remainder of the material. The All About Windows Q+A audio is optional.
- Lecture - "All About Windows" (56:00 minutes)
- 1-hour "All About Windows" Q+A audio recording (.mp3)
- Lecture - Passive vs. Conventional Floor Planning (01:00:47 hours)
- Article: Passive House Floor Planning
- Enclosures (39:47 minutes)
- Enclosures (10 questions)
- THERM And Thermal Bridging (12:32 minutes)
- THERM and Thermal Bridging (10 questions)
- Insulation (30:40 minutes)
- Insulation (11 questions)
- Ventilation - Theory (35:20 minutes)
- Ventilation - Theory (11 questions)
- Ventilation - Case Studies (26:11 minutes)
- Ventilation - Case Studies (10 questions)
- Interpreting Infrared images of buildings (.docx)
- Psychrometric Chart and Insulation (.xls)
- Week 2 Resources (.pdf)
Module 3 • 10 assignments
Air Tightness, Mechanicals, Lights, and Appliances
Module 3 • 10 assignments
Air Tightness, Mechanicals, Lights, and Appliances
Topics: Space heating and cooling approaches, reasons for/against solar DHW and alternatives, the importance of the DHW distribution system drainwater heat recovery, the importance of lights and appliances, with examples from PH in design and completed.
- Air Tightness (35:49 minutes)
- Air Tightness (10 questions)
- Air Source Heat Pumps (31:31 minutes)
- Air Source Heat Pumps (10 questions)
- Domestic Hot Water - DHW (36:08 minutes)
- Domestic Hot Water (13 questions)
- Lights and Appliances (17:30 minutes)
- Lights and Appliances (10 questions)
- Week 3 Homework (.xls)
- Week 3 Resources (.pdf)
Module 4 • 11 assignments
To Certify Or Not To Certify
Module 4 • 11 assignments
To Certify Or Not To Certify
Topics: Zero Net / Passive House inspired, climate-adapted and traditional standards, evaluation of project potential for PH, organizing a successful project team, common pitfalls, helpful tools and resources.
Case studies of Passive House inspired new homes, certified Passive House and Passive House inspired Deep Energy Retrofit.
Case studies of Passive House inspired new homes, certified Passive House and Passive House inspired Deep Energy Retrofit.
- Zero Net Energy, Passive House Inspired, Certified Passive House (44:52 minutes)
- 4.1 Zero Net Energy, Passive House Inspired, Certified
- Evaluating a project for Passive House potential (30:15 minutes)
- 4.2 - Project Potential for Passive House Certification
- Marketing Passive House (14:46 minutes)
- 4.3 - Marketing Passive House
- Organizing a successful Passive House certification project (39:59 minutes)
- Passive House Case Studies (31:26 minutes)
- 4.4 - Organizing a successful Passive House project
- Week 4 Homework
- Week 4 Resources (.pdf)
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
- Reporting Form for PHIUS CEUs
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- 8 AIA LU/HSW Credits
- 10.5 PHIUS CPHC CEUs
- 10 BPI CEUs
Author
Mike Duclos
Retired
Mike Duclos is a principal and founder of The DEAP Energy Group, LLC, a consultancy providing a wide variety of Deep Energy Retrofit, Zero Net Energy and Passive House related consulting services. Mike was an energy consultant on the Transformations, Inc. Zero Energy Challenge entry, and has worked on a variety of Zero Net Energy, DER and Passive House projects,...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 4 module course is delivered entirely online. This is a self-study, self-paced course and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes please visit our HeatSpring for Teams page to get a group discount.
Who should take this course?
If you are an architect, builder, homeowner, utility incentive program designer, government official, or anyone else interested in Passive House, this course is for you. You will learn how to be a productive and vital member of the Passive House project team. If you are a Certified Passive House Consultant but have yet to certify your first house, than this course is also for you. You will learn valuable tips, tricks, and resources to help troubleshoot future projects. You'll also review common pitfalls to avoid.