Passive House: Planning, Design and Construction Seminar
DISCLAIMER
Before purchasing, review the rules of your licensing or certifying entity. It is your responsibility to confirm this course meets your CE requirements. See the credit tab on the course page for details.
What’s Included: Full webinar recording, written course materials, expert instruction, a mandatory quiz, and a certificate upon completion.
Deliverability Timeline: All courses are generally available within 1-2 weeks after the live presentation.
CE Credits: AIA and/or LA/CES accreditation is available by request for courses recorded prior to March 11, 2026. All courses after that date include those accreditations by default, if applicable. With these accreditations, our courses qualify for credit in nearly all states for engineers, surveyors, architects, and landscape architects.
Learn more about the on-demand format in our FAQ or contact us at (715) 835-5900 or customerservice@halfmoonseminars.org
Agenda
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Morning Session: 8:30 – 11:45 am
Lunch (On your own): 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Afternoon Session: 12:45 – 4:30 pm
Understanding the Energy Efficiency of Conventional Construction
Facts and figures on residential energy use
History of energy-conserving residential construction
Building code requirements
Energy conservation incentives
Development of PHIUS+ 2018 design standard
Passive House Standard: Purpose, Principles and Development
History of certifying agencies in US: PHI and PHIUS
Passive House Standard: voluntary performance-based building envelope
energy standard
Energy calculations: how and when to perform them
Energy calculation tools: an introduction to tools and their functionality
Assembling a team to ensure quality and performance
Examining common design features of Passive Houses
Architectural Elements of Passive Houses
Siting, sizing and orientation
Super-insulated envelope with minimized thermal bridging
Efficient ventilation
Ultra-efficient lights, fixtures and appliances
Summer shading and cooling strategies
Winter solar gain and heat retention strategies
Integrating renewable energy technologies
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Passive Houses
Optimizing heat gains
• Passive solar heat gains
• Indoor environmental heat gains
Heating and cooling loads
Space conditioning
Renewable energy system integration
Energy-efficient appliances
Evaluating Passive House Case Studies
Adapting Passive House for Iowa
Case studies: in the planning process, under construction and finished projects
Credits
Professional Engineers
6.5 PDHs
Architects
6.5 HSW CEHs
6.5 AIA HSW Learning Units
Contractors
Non-Credit Continuing Ed.
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 PDHs to professional engineers and 6.5 HSW continuing education hours to architects in all states. Educators and courses are not subject to preapproval in Iowa and neighboring states.
This seminar is approved by the American Institute of Architects for 6.5 HSW Learning Units (Sponsor No. J885). Only full attendance can be reported to the AIA/CES.
HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida, Indiana (License No. CE21700059), Maryland, New Jersey (Approval No. 24GP00000700), New York (NYSED Sponsor No. 35), North Carolina, and North Dakota. HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved continuing education sponsor for New York architects.
This event also offers a non-credit continuing education opportunity to contractors. It has not been reviewed by any state contractor licensing entity for course approval.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire program. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.
Speakers
Michael Nolan
Horizon ArchitectureFounder of Horizon Architecture in Iowa City, IA
Mr. Nolan is a native of West Virginia and attended the United States Air Force Academy where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He served for more than 10 years as a pilot in both the F-16 and T-38 in assignments across the globe including combat missions as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Seeking a challenge that would meld his experience, technical expertise and passion for design, Mr. Nolan received a master of architecture degree from Virginia Tech. He earned his architect registration in Fall of 2012, just over two years after completing his degree.
Prior to founding Horizon Architecture, Mr. Nolan practiced architecture in a variety of firms, gaining extensive experience in a broad variety of projects. Projects include modernization to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC; the Moss Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech; and Gateway Ticketing Systems Global Headquarters in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Nolan founded Horizon Architecture to continue his mission of bringing thoughtful design and an unparalleled experience to his clients.
Horizon Architecture specializes in high-performance residential design. Mr. Nolan participated as an architect in the design of the Passive Aggressive House and Shafer Passive House, both in Wilton, Iowa. Horizon Architecture is currently designing and serving as a certified Passive House consultant for a new residence in Norwalk, IA.