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New & noteworthy

Don’t miss these latest resources from the Passivhaus Trust.

Learn about airtesting high-rise blocks, choosing MVHR systems for 100+ home developments, and bespoke non-domestic settings. We offer in-depth case studies and topic-focused sessions, led by expert practitioners.

Advanced
10 credit points
£28 – £160 + VAT

2024 Large and Complex Passivhaus

Full masterclass series

Video

Explore the optimal timing and strategic implementation of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) in retrofit projects. Delve into the implications of ASHP installation at different stages of fabric improvement through modelling typical retrofit scenarios. Gain practical insights using PHPP to estimate energy demand and running costs, ensuring informed decisions in developing efficient retrofit plans.

Advanced
2 credit points
£28 – £40 + VAT

Heat Pumps in Retrofit

Retrofit masterclass series

Video

This short guidance note gives a comprehensive overview of the considerations that must be factored in when designing and specifying an air-to-water heat pump system.

2024

Free

Air-to-water heat pumps

The basics of energy efficiency

Publication

This document provides comprehensive guidance on the maintenance and management of individual Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units in multi-residential developments.

2024

Free

MVHR Maintenance

Good Practice Guide

Publication

This webinar accompanies our guidance “Air-to-water heat pumps” which simplifies critical design elements with a special focus on air-to-water heat pumps, shedding light on both common oversights and advanced considerations that can elevate building performance to meet diverse energy standards.

Intermediate
2 credit points
£28 – £40 + VAT

Heat Pumps in New Builds

How to build a Passivhaus series

Video

    Getting Started

    Often considered primarily as the exemplar standard for producing high-performance buildings, Passivhaus does indeed minimise energy demand, but it delivers much more. Passivhaus can slash building heating demand by 90% without compromising our health & wellbeing.

    2023

    Free

    Passivhaus Benefits

    Getting started

    Publication

    This six-part online course will lead you to an understanding of the fundamentals of the Passivhaus standard and how it can help deliver healthy, comfortable buildings as well as achieve pressing net zero targets.

    Introductory

    Free

    This guide highlights significant synergies between the priorities of social housing providers and the multi-faceted benefits of successfully building and delivering Passivhaus homes. The aim is to explain why social housing providers should be aiming for Passivhaus and how to successfully implement the Standard.

    2019

    Free

    Passivhaus Social Housing

    Maximising benefits, minimising costs

    Publication

    The Passivhaus Goes Personal campaign is aimed at anyone contemplating building their own home. Discover why building to Passivhaus is good for you!

    2016

    Free

    Passivhaus Goes Personal

    Getting started: Self-build

    Publication

    PHT costs & benefits guidance shows that innovation costs associated with early Passivhaus projects are now reducing as the methodology has become more widely adopted. Costs are expected to fall further once the Standard is adopted at scale.

    2023

    Free

    Passivhaus Costs Summary

    Primer

    Publication

    The Passivhaus Trust has previously published detailed guidance on Passivhaus and zero carbon and Passivhaus and retrofit. These four-page primers will give you a quick but comprehensive overview of the issues covered.

    2023

    Free

    Embodied Carbon Primer

    Primer

    Publication

    The Passivhaus Trust has previously published detailed guidance on Passivhaus and zero carbon and Passivhaus and retrofit. These four-page primers will give you a quick but comprehensive overview of the issues covered.

    2023

    Free

    The Passivhaus Trust has previously published detailed guidance on Passivhaus and zero carbon and Passivhaus and retrofit. These four-page primers will give you a quick but comprehensive overview of the issues covered.

    2023

    Free

    Operational Carbon Primer

    Primer

    Publication

      Delving into details

      As the adoption of Passivhaus continues to grow in the UK, we are watching more sizeable projects emerge with increasing complexities that bring new challenges. This on-demand mini-series covers some exciting, detailed case studies & the latest research on large & complex Passivhaus.

      Intermediate
      8 credit points
      £25 – £112 + VAT

      How to Build a Passivhaus: Good Practice Guide covers the essential topics that are key to successfully delivering a Passivhaus project. It reflects the most recent evolution of best practice approaches to designing and building to the Passivhaus and EnerPHit standards.

      2023

      Free

      How to Build a Passivhaus

      Good Practice Guide

      Publication

      A new tool to help streamline RIBA Plan of Work processes to optimise the delivery of Passivhaus projects, has just been launched.

      2023

      Free

      RIBA Passivhaus Overlay

      Getting Started

      Publication

      Explore the relationship between Passivhaus and embodied carbon. Get access to the on-demand recording of the popular webinar to learn more about the Trust’s Embodied Carbon paper, followed by engaging presentations from key experts. It is an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand from industry practitioners as they share real-life case studies and valuable lessons learnt.

      Intermediate
      2 credit points
      £19 – £28 + VAT

      This webinar accompanies our guidance “Air-to-water heat pumps” which simplifies critical design elements with a special focus on air-to-water heat pumps, shedding light on both common oversights and advanced considerations that can elevate building performance to meet diverse energy standards.

      Intermediate
      2 credit points
      £28 – £40 + VAT

      Heat Pumps in New Builds

      How to build a Passivhaus series

      Video

        Masterclasses

        Learn about airtesting high-rise blocks, choosing MVHR systems for 100+ home developments, and bespoke non-domestic settings. We offer in-depth case studies and topic-focused sessions, led by expert practitioners.

        Advanced
        10 credit points
        £28 – £160 + VAT

        2024 Large and Complex Passivhaus

        Full masterclass series

        Video

        Explore the optimal timing and strategic implementation of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) in retrofit projects. Delve into the implications of ASHP installation at different stages of fabric improvement through modelling typical retrofit scenarios. Gain practical insights using PHPP to estimate energy demand and running costs, ensuring informed decisions in developing efficient retrofit plans.

        Advanced
        2 credit points
        £28 – £40 + VAT

        Heat Pumps in Retrofit

        Retrofit masterclass series

        Video

        This series is for anyone interested in designing and delivering Passivhaus retrofit. Learn from expert practitioners to enrich your practical and technical knowledge about EnerPHit, the Passivhaus retrofit standard, and how to apply it to your projects.

        Advanced
        12 credit points
        £15 – £90 + VAT

        As the adoption of Passivhaus continues to grow in the UK, we are watching more sizeable projects emerge with increasing complexities that bring new challenges. This on-demand mini-series covers some exciting, detailed case studies & the latest research on large & complex Passivhaus.

        Advanced
        12 credit points
        £19 – £90 + VAT

          Good Practice Guides

          How to Build a Passivhaus: Good Practice Guide covers the essential topics that are key to successfully delivering a Passivhaus project. It reflects the most recent evolution of best practice approaches to designing and building to the Passivhaus and EnerPHit standards.

          2023

          Free

          How to Build a Passivhaus

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          We often take ventilation for granted; most buildings in the UK rely on draughts and leaks! Continuous fresh air & eliminating cold draughts is a key comfort factor for Passivhaus buildings. Often the steepest learning curve is reaching the airtightness target. Breathe easy with this new good practice guide.

          2020

          Free

          Demystifying Airtightness

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          Recent summer heatwaves and a heating climate have made us more aware than ever that the risk of overheating in both new and existing buildings demands attention. The Passivhaus Trust has developed detailed guidance accompanied by a PHPP plugin to address this risk.

          2021

          Free

          Keeping Cool: Avoiding overheating risks

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          Are you getting the most out of your insulation? Passivhaus buildings are renown for eliminating the performance gap and insulation is crucial to the fabric first approach. This guide provides insight into good practice for designing, procuring, storing and installing insulation materials.

          2017

          Free

          Insulation

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          A good practice guide to MVHR, written by Dr Mich Swainson, Sally Godber & Andrew Farr, and peer reviewed by Kym Mead, Rupert Kazlauciunas, Nick Grant, Alan Clarke, Alex Baines, Jon Bootland and Mark Siddall.

          2018

          Free

          MVHR for single dwellings

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          This short guidance note gives a comprehensive overview of the considerations that must be factored in when designing and specifying an air-to-water heat pump system.

          2024

          Free

          Air-to-water heat pumps

          The basics of energy efficiency

          Publication

          This paper introduces the challenges around moisture risk to borne in mind when tackling any retrofit project, and is essential reading for designers, as well as clients who are looking to inform themselves of the key issues and factors that will influence the project.

          2023

          Free

          Moisture and EnerPHit

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          This document provides comprehensive guidance on the maintenance and management of individual Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units in multi-residential developments.

          2024

          Free

          MVHR Maintenance

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

          This document provides guidance for the industry on how to produce effective User Guidance aimed at non-expert occupants for Passivhaus and low energy buildings

          2013

          Free

          Occupant Guidance Handbook

          Good Practice Guide

          Publication

            Technical Research Papers

            PHT costs & benefits guidance shows that innovation costs associated with early Passivhaus projects are now reducing as the methodology has become more widely adopted. Costs are expected to fall further once the Standard is adopted at scale.

            2019

            Free

            Passivhaus Costs

            Research paper

            Publication

            Each of the key chapters in Passivhaus Benefits is underpinned by detailed supplementary research, to be published in three supporting papers. The first of these, Health, Wellbeing and People Performance, is available to download now.

            2023

            Free

            Health, wellbeing & people performance

            Supplementary paper

            Publication

            To obtain a clearer picture of Passivhaus costs in the UK, AECOM, in conjunction with the Passivhaus Trust, has undertaken a research study into the capital cost of building to certified Passivhaus standards across a number of affordable housing projects in the UK, using a standardised cost tool to compare projects on a like for like basis.

            2015

            Free

            Capital Cost

            Research with AECOM

            Publication

            The integration of a steel frame for Passivhaus brings unique challenges. This paper draws on knowledge gained from the first steel frame Passivhaus projects in the UK to offer applied guidance and a best practice approach to high performance and Passivhaus steel buildings.

            2023

            Free

            Steel in Passivhaus Construction

            Technical paper

            Publication

            Discover how to minimise thermal bypass risks during design and construction in this detailed technical review.

            2022

            Free

            Thermal Bypass Risks

            Technical paper

            Publication

            The Passivhaus community is increasingly acknowledging and focusing on the issue of material choices and resource efficiency, demonstrated by the development of several carbon counting tools, including the embodied carbon PHribbon plug-in for PHPP.

            2022

            Free

            Passivhaus and embodied carbon

            Research Paper

            Publication

            The need for this Quality Assurance guide has arisen from the rapid growth of the Passivhaus Standard within the UK and the recognition that with the increased volume, scale and complexity of building projects, that it takes an increasingly well structured quality assurance system to maintain the required standards of design and construction.

            2015

            Free

            Quality Assurance

            Large & Complex Buildings

            Publication

            The Passivhaus Trust has been working with Rachel Mitchell, Bath University and WARM to analyse the performance of a number of certified Passivhaus dwellings in the UK.

            2017

            Free

            Post occupancy evaluation

            Research paper

            Publication

            This document with ATTMA provides the technical standard to be followed for the air tightness testing of Passivhaus and other low energy buildings as required as part of a Passivhaus or low energy building design.

            2023

            Free

            The Passivhaus Trust has developed guidance accompanied by a PHPP plugin to calculate more representative monthly average internal temperatures for existing buildings and an overall average for the heating season. These temperatures can then be used in the PHPP heating demand calculation to achieve a more accurate indication of energy demand.

            2021

            Free

            PHPP Periodic Heating

            PHPP Tool

            Publication

              Retrofit

              The Passivhaus Trust has previously published detailed guidance on Passivhaus and zero carbon and Passivhaus and retrofit. These four-page primers will give you a quick but comprehensive overview of the issues covered.

              2023

              Free

              This series is for anyone interested in designing and delivering Passivhaus retrofit. Learn from expert practitioners to enrich your practical and technical knowledge about EnerPHit, the Passivhaus retrofit standard, and how to apply it to your projects.

              Advanced
              12 credit points
              £15 – £90 + VAT

              Learn about moisture-safe design in retrofitting with the 2023 Moisture and EnerPHit Guide. This on-demand course delves into the complexities of retrofitting for energy efficiency while addressing moisture concerns in the building fabric and structure. Understand how to prevent moisture issues when retrofitting. Don’t miss insights from expert authors and expand your knowledge of retrofit moisture management for safer, healthier buildings.

              Advanced
              2 credit points
              £20 – £30 + VAT

              Managing Moisture

              Passivhaus Retrofit Masterclass

              Video

              This paper sets out why EnerPHit must form an essential part of our national Zero Carbon ambitions and advises how to develop an appropriate retrofit plan comparing different standards and guidance.

              2021

              Free

              Passivhaus Retrofit

              Position Paper

              Publication

              Discover the similarities between EnerPHit and PAS 2035/2030 and how the two standards complement one another in this new technical paper authored by PHT member QODA’s Dr Sarah Price.

              2023

              Free

              EnerPHit and PAS 2035/2030

              Position Paper

              Publication

              This paper introduces the challenges around moisture risk to borne in mind when tackling any retrofit project, and is essential reading for designers, as well as clients who are looking to inform themselves of the key issues and factors that will influence the project.

              2023

              Free

              Moisture and EnerPHit

              Good Practice Guide

              Publication

              There is an urgent imperative to decarbonise home heating, but we also need better housing that is more comfortable, healthier and cheaper to run. How do we enable heat pumps and fabric to work in synergy to maximum effect? This paper aims to answer the question by modelling heat pump installation at different levels of home retrofit.

              2024

              Free

              Heat Pumps in Retrofit

              Position Paper

              Publication

                Position Papers

                A widely adopted rule-of-thumb suggests that MVHR systems are only effective in more airtight buildings. This paper seeks to challenge this convention and suggests that MVHR systems are, in fact, desirable in nearly all domestic situations, either new-build or retrofit.

                2020

                Free

                The Case for MVHR

                Position Paper

                Publication

                The Passivhaus community is increasingly acknowledging and focusing on the issue of material choices and resource efficiency, demonstrated by the development of several carbon counting tools, including the embodied carbon PHribbon plug-in for PHPP.

                2020

                Free

                EPCs as efficiency targets

                Position Paper

                Publication

                This paper sets out why EnerPHit must form an essential part of our national Zero Carbon ambitions and advises how to develop an appropriate retrofit plan comparing different standards and guidance.

                2021

                Free

                Passivhaus Retrofit

                Position Paper

                Publication

                How do we ensure Zero Carbon targets result in zero emission buildings? Many cities and regions are moving towards a Zero Carbon goal for new housing to achieve genuine emissions reductions. This paper analyses the definition of a Zero carbon building, and compares a notional building regulations Zero Carbon building with a Passivhaus Classic and renewables .

                2019

                Free

                Passivhaus: the route to zero carbon?

                Position Paper

                Publication

                This paper provides guidance on quality assurance measures that are required to meet the Passivhaus Standard in the UK.

                2022

                Free

                Claiming the Passivhaus Standard

                Position Paper

                Publication

                Discover the similarities between EnerPHit and PAS 2035/2030 and how the two standards complement one another in this new technical paper authored by PHT member QODA’s Dr Sarah Price.

                2023

                Free

                EnerPHit and PAS 2035/2030

                Position Paper

                Publication

                This position paper responds to the report ‘Ready for Zero: Evidence to inform the 2025 Future Homes Standard – Task Group Report’ by the Future Homes Hub. It addresses modelling inacurracies and puts forward four key recommendations for consideration.

                2023

                Free

                PHPP is a proven tool for assessing overheating risk. It has already been deemed to satisfy Part O of the Building Regulations (England & Wales) by several Building Control services, and should be accepted as an alternative means of compliance in place of the ‘simplified method’ and the ‘dynamic method’ for single-family dwellings and simple building forms.

                2023

                Free

                Overheating, Part O, and PHPP

                Position Paper

                Publication

                Modelling undertaken by the Passivhaus Trust demonstrates that an all-electric certified Passivhaus Classic performs better than both options proposed for the Future Homes Standard (FHS) in the 2024 consultation, as well as providing many other benefits.

                2024

                Free

                There is an urgent imperative to decarbonise home heating, but we also need better housing that is more comfortable, healthier and cheaper to run. How do we enable heat pumps and fabric to work in synergy to maximum effect? This paper aims to answer the question by modelling heat pump installation at different levels of home retrofit.

                2024

                Free

                Heat Pumps in Retrofit

                Position Paper

                Publication

                  Certifiers Circle

                  For multi-residential or non-residential buildings the Passivhaus Certifier may require dynamic thermal modelling to adequately evaluate summer comfort and overheating risk. This guidance from the UK Certifiers’ Circle aims to establish a common approach to modelling, reporting and user handover in these scenarios.

                  2023

                  Free

                  Dynamic Thermal Modelling

                  UK Certifiers Circle Guidance

                  Publication

                  This paper serves as a starting point for discussions and agreements between project teams and certification bodies regarding roles, responsibilities, and expectations for achieving Passivhaus certification. The scope of services it presents is designed to be adaptable and applicable to various project types and scales.

                  2023

                  Free

                  Certifier Scope of Services

                  UK Certifiers Circle Guidance

                  Publication

                  This guidance note from the UK Certifiers’ Circle provides answers to frequently asked questions about what PER is, how it relates to other metrics used in the UK, under what circumstances a bespoke PER criterion might apply, and how to check if it does.

                  2024

                  Free

                  Bespoke PER

                  UK Certifiers Circle Guidance

                  Publication