Passivhaus Institut

EnerPHit - certified retrofits with Passive House components

The use of Passive House components in refurbishments of existing buildings leads to extensive improvements with reference to thermal comfort, economic efficiency, absence of structural damage and climate protection. Reductions in heating energy demand of up to 90% have been achieved in a large number of projects.

Achieving the Passive House Standard in refurbishments of existing buildings is not always a realistic goal, one of the reasons being that basement walls remain as barely avoidable thermal bridges even after refurbishment.
For such buildings, the Passive House Institute has developed EnerPHit for certified energy retrofits with Passive House Components. This requires either a maximum heating demand of 25 kWh/(m²a) or alternatively the consistent use of Passive House components in accordance with the requirements for PHI certification of components. The heating demand calculated by the PHPP, and the quality of thermal protection of the individual
components are indicated in the certificate.

Detailed information about this topic can be found here: "EnerPHit Planners Handbook" (in German).

However, nothing will change for refurbished existing buildings which comply with Passive House criteria. They will continue to be certified in accordance with the method for new Passive House constructions.

The Passive House Institute itself carries out building certification in selected cases (Passive Houses and EnerPHit refurbishments), where the focus is on special and novel uses within the context of Passive Houses and on projects in different climate zones.

For more information contact us at: building.certification[at]passiv.de.

Certification criteria (residential and non-residential buildings) ( pdf 694 KB)