Passivhaus building certification
We act as independent Passivhaus certifiers. We provide assessment and technical support to clients and design teams seeking to achieve Passivhaus or EnerPHit certification.
Quality assurance
Passivhaus Certification is a quality assurance process for the design and construction of low energy buildings. It is independent and impartial with the Certifier representing the best interests of the building and building owners, now and in the future.
Catching mistakes
Quality assurance accepts that everyone makes mistakes and looks to catch these early through checking. Small changes and errors throughout design and construction can have a big impact on the performance of the building in use.
Better buildings
Contributing to better buildings through construction advice, training, and sharing extensive experience between projects. Proven to work through feedback and monitoring.
Certification process
We get involved at each project stage to ensure everything is on track to meet the Passivhaus standards.
Find out more about each stage of the certification process.
Get a quote
Send an email to ✎ passivhaus.certification@etude.co.uk with the information below for the fastest response to your enquiry:
- Your name, contact details and role on the project.
- The client name and contact details. The Passivhaus certifier will be appointed directly by the client on the project.
- The stage the project is at, the headline programme, and whether you have planning permission or not.
- A brief description of the project.
- Some general arrangement drawings if available.
Latest projects
Passivhaus certifiers
Etude are Passivhaus certifiers accredited through the Passivhaus Institute, Darmstadt. We have been active as Passivhaus certifiers since 2015. Our Passivhaus certifiers are Will South, Naomi Grint, Steven Coulsting and Chris Worboys.
Etude have certified over 100 buildings to the Passivhaus building standard in the UK.
Passivhaus building certification FAQs
1) What is Passivhaus building certification?
Passivhaus building certification is an independent quality assurance process that checks a project’s design and construction against the Passivhaus standard. It helps ensure the finished building performs as intended, with low energy demand, comfort, and good indoor air quality. Passivhaus certification helps you reduce the risk of achieving excellent comfort, low energy bills, and low carbon emissions by reducing the performance gap between design and construction.
2) What is EnerPHit certification?
EnerPHit certification is the Passivhaus Institute standard for retrofit projects. It is designed for existing buildings where constraints can make full Passivhaus certification impractical, while still delivering excellent performance. You can certify existing buildings against the full Passivhaus standard as well if they meet the criteria.
3) What does a Passivhaus certifier do?
A Passivhaus certifier independently reviews the PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) and supporting evidence at key stages. They are a technical independent adviser working directly for the client throughout the project. We provide clear feedback, highlight risks early, and confirm whether the project meets Passivhaus or EnerPHit certification requirements.
4) When should we appoint the Passivhaus certifier?
Ideally at early design stage, when there is a concept design but before major decisions are locked in. This gets the best value from the Passivhaus certification process as early certification input is the best way to catch small issues before they become expensive redesigns or site changes. We recommend contacting us at the end of RIBA Stage 2, or at the very latest during contractor tender at the end of RIBA Stage 3 or 4.
5) Who appoints the certifier on a Passivhaus project?
The client appoints the Passivhaus certifier directly. This keeps the certification process independent and impartial, with the certifier representing the long term interests of the building and building owners.
6) What information do you need to provide a quote for Passivhaus certification?
Email us with:
- Your name, role and contact details
- Client name and contact details
- Current stage, headline programme, and planning status
- A short description of the project (new build or retrofit)
- General arrangement drawings if available
7) What is PHPP, and who is responsible for it?
Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) is the modelling tool used to assess Passivhaus performance. The Passivhaus designer or design team prepares and updates the PHPP. We review the PHPP submission and the evidence that supports the inputs.
PHPP software is available from AECB in the UK.
8) How does the certification process work, step by step?
We typically support projects through: appointment, design review, construction review, final review, then certification. At each stage we review the PHPP and evidence, provide comments, and confirm what is needed to stay on track.
9) What happens if you find issues during design or construction review?
That is common and useful. We flag concerns early, explain what needs adjusting, and confirm the evidence required. The aim is to resolve issues while changes are still straightforward, rather than discovering them at the end.
10) What are the most common reasons projects struggle to achieve Passivhaus or EnerPHit certification?
Failing airtightness, missing energy targets through late design changes, product substitutions (especially windows or ventilation), missing evidence, and decisions made without checking PHPP impact. A structured certification process reduces these risks by catching them early.