Buildings shape the lives, health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Unfortunately, too many of the buildings across Canada often have significant problems: from drafty building envelopes, to mold and moisture problems, to inefficient HVAC systems. The Passive House standard has evolved over the years and now includes powerful tools, guidelines and certification pathways which can assist design and construction professionals seeking to retrofit existing buildings to be more comfortable, healthier and use less energy.  
 
This in-depth seminar will introduce participants to the Passive House retrofit ‘EnerPHit’ standards and highlight some examples of successful Passive House retrofits from around the world. We will discuss the basic principles of Passive House design, including thermal comfort, energy efficiency, durability and health – as well as some of the common tools and techniques for achieving these goals on retrofits. We’ll also review how the EnerPHit standard fits into the larger efforts at decarbonization across Canada. Anyone looking to rehabilitate an existing building will benefit from this course, and in particular this course is a crucial first step for anyone looking to certify a building as a Passive House EnerPHit retrofit.