Certified Passivhaus Designer Course

Build performance into every detail. Design for the future.

Course Features

Real World Projects. Real Learning. Real Results.

Go beyond the theory with immersive case studies from live Passivhaus projects. See how the standard is applied in practice. From detailing to delivery and across single family homes, large-scale housing and public buildings
Advance with the Industry’s Leading Qualification

Our course is fully aligned with the London Plan, Scotland’s Passivhaus-equivalent, and the RIAI’s Design for Performance guidance. It equips you to deliver real results, keeping you ahead of regulation and ready to lead on compliance, quality, and comfort.
Your Schedule. Our Expertise. Designed to Fit Your Life.

Our flexible, on-demand course puts you in control - no fixed times, no compromises. Learn at your pace, revisit content anytime, and build towards Certified Passive House Designer success with expert-led modules and live mentoring sessions.

See What Sets Our Training Apart

Discover why over 2,500 professionals have chosen Mosart’s Certified Passive House Designer course. Flexible. Practical. Proven.

Bonus Features

Enrol on mosart’s On-Demand Certified Passivhaus Designer course and you’ll also receive:

A full Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP 10) licence, worth €270, to use on all future projects.
Comprehensive exam-prep pathway: self-paced tutorials, timed mock papers and personalised feedback, plus the official Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam—all fees covered (combined value €800).
Membership of the mosart alumni group for peer support and knowledge sharing
12 month on-demand access to our resource library of recorded lectures, case-study walk-throughs and downloadable templates.

Course curriculum

1. Welcome to the course!
  FREE PREVIEW
1. Fundamentals of Passive House Design
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Delivering Comfort, Efficiency & Durability
  FREE PREVIEW
3. Diverse Exemplars of Passive House in Action
  FREE PREVIEW
4. The 5 Passive House Principles in Practice
5. Design Smarter with Compact Forms
6. What is Primary Energy Why does it Matter?
7. Module 1.1 Quiz 1
1. PHPP: The Essential Tool for Passive House Modelling
2. Optimising Heat Gains in Passive Design Success
3. Unlocking Better Thermal Performance
4. Precision Matters: Area Calculations
5. Understanding Key Influences on Heat Flow
6. Calculate Transmission Heat Loss Like a Pro
7. Module 1.2 Quiz 1
1. Boost Energy Efficiency by Optimising Insulation Continuity
2. Guide to Whole Life Carbon in Building Design
3. Maximize Performance with External Wall Insulation (EWI)
4. Potential for ICF in Passive Design
5. Timber Frame and Cellulose in Large Passive House Projects
6. Minimise Joints with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
7. Design Flexibility in Passive House Projects
8. Thermal Detailing at Floor Slabs for Comfort and Efficiency
9. Module 2.1 Quiz 1
1. Understand U-Values and Moisture Risks
2. Guide to Thermal Conductivity
3. Surface Thermal Resistance for Accurate U-Values
4. U-Value Calculation: Hands-On Practice
5. Module 2.2 Quiz 1
1. Mastering Thermal Bridging: Risks and Design Solutions
2. Detailing Balconies for Superior Thermal Performance
3. Thermal Bridging and Mould— How to Prevent It
4. Real-World Fix: How We Solved Parapet Heat Loss
5. Create High-Performance Junctions
6. Solve Door Junctions Using Structural Thermal Breaks
7. Build Without Compromise: Heat Loss reduction
8. Window Junctions That Work: Thermal Continuity
9. Module 3.1 Quiz 1
1. How to Quantify Thermal Bridges and Why It Matters
2. Reduce Heat Loss with Thermal Bridge Optimisation
3. Calculate Thermal Bridge Performance
4. U-Value and Airtightness Strategies for Opaque Assemblies
5. Module 3.2 Quiz 1
1. Airtightness, Vapour Control, and Passive House Explained
2. Smart Vapour Layer Placement & Leak Pathway Detection
3. Boosting Thermal Performance Through Wind Tightness
4. Navigating Airtightness & Ventilation Regulations
5. Choose Airtight Materials That Deliver Long-Term Results
6. Module 4.1 Quiz 1
7. Learn How to Install Airtight Membranes Like a Pro
8. Managing Service Penetrations in Airtight Layers
9. Ensuring Durable Airtightness Over Time
10. Using Service Cavities for Airtight Success
11. Airtight Window Detailing and Taping Techniques
12. Module 4.1 Quiz 2
1. How to Test Airtightness and Calculate Heat Loss
2. Find Hidden Leaks Fast: Smoke Testing Diagnostics
3. Importance of Running Preliminary Airtightness Tests
4. Master Passive House Exam True/False Questions
5. Visualise Airtightness: Powerful Analogies That Click
6. Module 4.2 Quiz 1
7. Airtightness Results for New and Retrofit Projects
8. Calculated Ventilation Infiltration Losses in Your Sleep
9. Beginner’s Guide to Mositure and Psychrometrics
10. See What the Eye Can’t: Thermal Imaging
11. Module 4.2 Quiz 2
1. Achieving Comfort and U-Value Performance with Windows
2. Understanding Performance of Window Frames
3. True Comfort: How Windows Make the Difference
4. Meeting Passive House Window Certification Standards
5. Calculating Window U-Values—Step by Step
6. Module 5.1 Quiz
1. Window Design for Daylight, Comfort, and Efficiency
2. Smart Shading and Solar Design: Large Building Case Study
3. Understanding Glazing and Light Transmission
4. Thermal Bridging: Spacer Bars and Smart Installation
5. Reducing Thermal Bridges at Rainwater Junctions
6. Module 5.2 Quiz 1
7. Ensuring Airtightness Where Windows Meet Walls
8. Balancing Window Losses and Gains
9. Window Energy Balance: Calculation Walkthrough
10. Case Studies in Action: Window in Universities and Offices
11. Inside Ireland’s First Passive House Office: Case Study
12. Module 5.2 Quiz 2
1. Breathe Better Indoors: MVHR and Air Quality Essentials
2. Manage Humidity and Ventilation for Healthier Spaces
3. Air Quality: Impact on Comfort, Health, and Performance
4. CO₂, Air Change Rates, and Performance
5. Ventilation Calculations: Sizing for Residential Buildings
6. MVHR Losses: What Designers Need to Know
7. Module 6.1 Quiz 1
8. MVHR Heat Loss Formula Explained
9. Tackling MVHR Loss Calculation with Confidence
10. Inside an MVHR: Components and Flow Paths
11. Selecting an MVHR: What to Look For
12. Risk Using with Non-Certified MVHRs
13. Ventilation Control Strategies: Optimising Performance
14. Positioning External Grilles for Maximum Quality
15. Module 6.1 Quiz 2
1. Ventilation Distribution Systems: A Practical Overview
2. Best Practices for Ventilation Ducting Design
3. Boost Thermal Performance with Duct Insulation
4. Positioning Ventilation Components for Safety and Efficiency
5. Case Study in Action: Installing a Manifold System
6. Kitchen Extracts Demystified
7. Module 6.2 Quiz 1
8. Smart Solutions for Variable Occupancy Spaces
9. Duct Sizing and Airflow Calculation Fundamentals
10. Duct Durability, Efficiency, and Material Selection
11. Fire and Smoke Safety in Ventilation Systems
12. Commissioning MVHR Systems in the Field
13. Module 6.2 Quiz 2
1. Heating Strategies for Ultra-Low Energy Buildings
2. Monitored Heat Use and Performance Gap Avoidance
3. Air Source Heat Pumps for Efficiency
4. Designing Heat Distribution That Works
5. Heating Through Fresh Air: How to Calculate Loads
6. Heating Through Fresh Air: How to Calculate Loads
7. Refrigerant Loops in Passive House Projects
8. Module 7.1. Quiz
1. Hot Water Without the Waste
2. Insulate Right: Pipework Design for Minimal Losses
3. Module 7.2. Quiz
1. Passive and Active Cooling Strategies for Summer Comfort
2. Overheating Risk: Assess Cooling Demands Across Climate Zones
3. Module 8 Quiz
1. Integrating Renewable Energy in Passive House Design
2. Solar PV in the Real World: Surplus, Shortfalls, and the Winter Gap
3. Module 9 Quiz
1. Delivering Passive House Quality: From Intent to Execution
2. Avoiding Common On-Site Mistakes in Passive Builds
3. Tools That Prove Performance: Onsite Testing & Commissioning
4. Module 10 Quiz
1. Passive House Certification: Process and Benefits
2. Demystifying Passive House Certification
3. Design Stage Assurance: Streamlining Pre-Certification
4. Avoiding Certification Pitfalls and Bottlenecks
5. Module 11 Quiz
1. The Economics Behind Passive House Performance
2. Cost-Efficient Passive House: Practical Design Tactics
3. Smart Building Investments Using Present Value Analysis
4. Calculate Returns with Present Value and Annuity Models
5. Module 12 Quiz 1
6. Making Sense of Real Energy Investment Returns
7. Comparing Standard and Passive Building Economics
8. Evaluating Energy Efficiency Measures
9. Module 12 Quiz 2
1. Project Setup and Climate Selection
2. Module 13.1 Quiz
3. U-Values of Opaque Elements
4. Module 13.2 Quiz
5. Building Form and Orientation, Thermal Bridging and Floor Slab
6. Module 13.3 Quiz
7. Window Components, Orientation and Shading
8. Module 13.4 Quiz
9. Ventilation and Heat Recovery Efficiency
10. Module 13.5 Quiz
11. Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Primary Energy Demand
12. Module 13.6 Quiz
13. PHPP Exam Preparation
14. Module 13.7 Quiz
1. Getting Started

About this course

€1.995,00
162 lessons
30 Hours of on-demand learning (30 CPD points)
Monthly, one-hour live workshop with a mosart Passivhaus expert
PHPP License, Free Exam Preparation Course & Official PHI Exam

Trusted by Industry Leaders

Ready to Design Buildings That Perform?

Join the professionals leading the shift to low-energy, high-impact architecture — and start your Passive House journey today.

Enroll today

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Everything you need to master Passive House design — on your terms.

20 Expert Modules

Covering every aspect of Passive House design - from building physics and airtightness to PHPP modelling and certification workflows. Practical, detailed, and real-world focused.
12 Months Access

Study on your terms with full access to all course materials for six months. Learn at your pace, revisit modules anytime, and fit study around your schedule.
Certification Ready

Built to help you pass with confidence. The course includes your PHPP software licence and exam prep essentials, so you’re fully equipped to succeed and apply your skills immediately.

MEET YOUR TUTOR

Tomás O'Leary - Globally Accredited Passivhaus Certifier and Trainer

Tomás O’Leary is a trailblazer in Passivhaus design and one of the most trusted voices in high-performance building. A natural educator, he’s trained thousands of professionals worldwide and helped shape Passivhaus training standards. He delivered the first certified Passive House in the English-speaking world and has spent over 30 years leading mosart at the cutting edge of sustainable architecture, consultancy, and education. His work bridges design innovation and climate impact — always with people and performance at the core.

Tomás O'Leary

Passivhaus Certifier & Trainer

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

This course is for built environment professionals who want to lead the transition to performance-led design and deliver buildings that truly work.

Architects and Designers ready to future-proof their skillset with the most rigorous energy standard in the world
Engineers and Consultants who want to deliver measurable results and align with emerging regulations
Developers and Project Managers seeking to understand what’s required to hit Passivhaus performance without compromising quality or cost
Policy-makers and Educators looking to embed the highest standards into policy, procurement, and curriculum

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING

“I feel I better understand the effect of the various design elements on building energy use. Examples being 'why the plant room should be closer to the facade, shading impacts of the external environment, selection of windows, thermal bridge detailing' amongst others.”

“Taking the Certified Passive House Designer course was a highly valuable experience. It provided a solid foundation in passive design principles and gave me the tools to approach energy-efficient building with much greater confidence. One of the key benefits was the clarity it brought to complex topics like thermal bridging and airtightness. The course helped me identify areas for further development. Overall, it’s been a major step forward in my professional growth and has inspired me to pursue more advanced passive house work.”

“Specific benefits gained is that I brushed up on some core building physics principles as well as a new-found appreciation of the energy and comfort benefits that are possible when implementing a well informed and holistic design approach coupled with quality construction execution as prescribed by Passive House. A challenge overcame is my understanding of thermal bridges - this is a subject that I have not come across in my career before and the course provided a good explanation of what they are and the foundation principles on how to calculate them.”

Certification

Achieving certification shows you’re ready to lead on Passive House design and opens doors to new projects, roles, and recognition.

Add international credibility to your CV
Build confidence in your design decisions
Show clients and employers you’re ahead of the curve

What To Expect

The online exam is structured to help you showcase your skills with confidence. You’ll have:

90 minutes to complete the assessment
15 carefully crafted questions across 7 key Passive House topics
A mix of Multiple Choice, True/False, and Calculation-Based problems
Just 50% required to pass

Not a Tech Expert? No Problem.

Before your exam, you’ll be invited to a free technical setup session with our team. We’ll walk you through the online process, test your system, and make sure everything’s ready so exam day runs smoothly.

CPHD On-Demand

Master Passive House design with Mosart’s on-demand CPHD course. Learn at your own pace with expert-led modules, real case studies, and practical tools. Designed for professionals ready to deliver high-performance, low-energy buildings.

Enrol Now: Free Preview

Real World Projects. Real Learning. Real Results.

Advance with the Industry’s Leading Qualification

Your Schedule. Our Expertise. Designed to Fit Your Life.

See What Sets Our Training Apart

Introduction

Module 1.1 Passive House Principles and Quantifying Heat Loss

Module 1.2 Passive House Principles and Quantifying Heat Loss

Module 2.1 Optimising the Opaque Building Envelope

Module 2.2 Optimising the Opaque Building Envelope

Module 3.1 Thermal Bridge Mitigation for Health and Efficiency

Module 3.2 Thermal Bridge Mitigation for Health and Efficiency

Module 4.1 Delivering Unsurpassed Airtightness and Vapour Control

Module 4.2 Delivering Unsurpassed Airtightness and Vapour Control

Module 5.1 High-Performance Windows - The Comfort Creator

Module 5.2 High-Performance Windows - The Comfort Creator

Module 6.1 A Breath of Fresh Air in Sustainable Building

Module 6.2 A Breath of Fresh Air in Sustainable Building

Module 7.1 Hyper-Efficient Heating and Hot Water Provision

Module 7.2 Hyper-Efficient Heating and Hot Water Provision

Module 8 Keeping Cooling in a Warming Planet

Module 9 Renewable Energy Contribution

Module 10 Passive House: The Ultimate Quality Standard

Module 11 Certified Passive House

Module 12 Quantifying the Economics of Passive House

Module 13 Hands-On Practice with the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP)

Exam Preparation

About this course

20 Expert Modules

12 Months Access

Certification Ready

Tomás O'Leary

90 minutes to complete the assessment

15 carefully crafted questions across 7 key Passive House topics

A mix of Multiple Choice, True/False, and Calculation-Based problems

Just 50% required to pass