Passive House Language and Mathematics
The PaLaMa Preparation Course for Tradespeople
About the course
One of the hardest things about learning a new subject is getting your head around the terminology and basic concepts. The PaLaMa Preparation Course is designed to take the stress out of your learning journey by getting you up to speed with the key maths concepts and language terms used in Passive House.
Many students worry about their maths skills in particular when beginning Passive House study. The PaLaMa course helps you to revise and address any gaps in your knowledge before the main certification course.
You will have access to course recordings to help you revise in private and improve at your own pace.

Course Content
Learning Objectives
Students should:
- Gain a basic understanding of the concept of Passive House
- Learn basic Passive House vocabulary
- Become familiar with the main Passive House formulas and mathematical concepts
- Refresh maths skills, including:
- Working with fractions
- Transforming formulas
- Working with units
- Transforming units
- Become familiar with the ‘magic formula’ that covers 80% of Passive House calculations
- Become familiar with SPA’s Passive House formula booklet. (The booklet is available exclusively to SPA certification course students)
Topics
- The Passive House Concept: Why Passive House?; energy management concepts; the Passive House standard
- The 5 components and principles of Passive House
- U-Value calculations
- Window calculations
- Airflow and air-quantity calculations
- The magic formula. Mastering heat transfer (The SPA advantage)
- General maths skills
Course dates & fees
April 2021
- Passive House Language & Mathematics Prep-Course
- Tue, 06.04.2021
- 09:00 – 13:00 AEDT (GMT+10:00)
July 2021
- Passive House Language & Mathematics Prep-Course
- Fri, 30.07.2021
- 09:00 – 13:00 AEDT (GMT+10:00)
October 2021
- Passive House Language & Mathematics Prep-Course
- Fri, 22.10.2021
- 09:00 – 13:00 AEDT (GMT+10:00)
Recordings only
- Passive House Language & Mathematics Prep-Course
- Access to course recordings for three months
Course details
Prerequisites
Teaching is at approximately high-school level. There are no academic prerequisites.
Materials required for class
PC, Mac or laptop, good internet connection (4 Mbps)
Recommended: Please pre-print your SPA formula booklet if you have been supplied one as part of The Complete Passive House Certification Package.
Materials provided for class
You will be provided with recordings of the live sessions which occur during your course. These will feature Daniel Kress or Julia Kiefer teaching the course and also responding to student questions.
Is this course for you?
This course is aimed at anybody who wishes to undertake the Certified Passive House Tradesperson course.
Access
Students will have access to course recordings for three months. The course includes four hours of live sessions with teachers. (Does not apply if Recordings Only option purchased.)
Teachers
What our students say
How it works
Save on your course fees and receive a certification guarantee by booking The Complete Passive House Tradesperson Certification Package now.