PHMN April 25, 2023 Monthly Meeting: Legislative Update

Please join us for our monthly meeting on April 25, 2023 at Noon on Zoom. Registration is required.

Our special topic this month is a legislative update specific to energy efficient building and discussion about particular bills to watch with guest speaker Sheri Hansen, Director of Communications, Advocacy & Public Outreach for AIA Minnesota.

We will also have a quick overview of the legislative process in Minnesota, and how we can use our voice to advocate for better buildings.

All are welcome. Bring your questions!

PHMN March 28, 2023 Monthly Meeting

Join us on Tuesday, March 28 at Noon CST via Zoom for our monthly meeting and get current updates on all things Passive House in Minnesota.

This month’s special guest is Alpen Windows. Learn about their offering of Passive House windows and bring your questions.

All are welcome. Sign up at the Passive House Network calendar.

Remember to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on all upcoming events. Select the Minnesota regional updates when you and you won’t miss a thing.

Passive House Builder Boot Camp 2023

NOT JUST FOR BUILDERS!

PHMN is proud to announce the second TwinCities’ certified Passive House Tradesperson Training. This course is transformational whether you are interested in Passive House specifically, or just looking to learn how to make really energy efficient, comfortable, economical and resilient buildings.

Builders, tradespeople, architects, engineers, realtors, developers, homeowners—all kinds of people have taken this class and learned the skill of energy efficient construction through Passive House techniques.

Make use of this special, in-person opportunity to step up your game! Get 2 days of classroom instruction, 2 days of hands-on learning, plus the available exam to become a Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT).

September 11-14, 2023 at MMS in Golden Valley (TwinCities), Minnesota.

Sign up by June 28 and you will receive a $100 discount.

Use the code displayed on the banner image. Note: Sign up deadline is August 28!


Questions: Please contact John Noterman.

Fall Season = Passive House Lecture Season

Have your pick at any of these upcoming and exciting events, open houses, and learning opportunities. Mark your calendar but make sure to check back as some of these events may be updated or revised.

September 21, 2022: Rochester Sustainability Series

Passive House: The Economic and Environmental Solution for a Sustainable Future

  • Speaker: Tim Delhey Eian
  • Venue: Online

October 1 – 2, 2022: MRES Sustainability Tour

Lexington Parkway Passive House Plus

Lexington Pkwy Passive House Plus by TE Studio

October 18, 2022: PHN Presents

Keep your Cool! Motorized Passive House Shades and Controls


October 18, 2022: Passive House Minnesota Meet & Greet

This is Passive House Minnesota’s monthly Meet & Greet (happy hour) where Passive House Minnesota members and others in the local PH community get together to discuss Passive House and drink marvelous beers, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. All are welcome — whether you are a Passive House practitioner, building owner, supplier, real estate agent, developer, or general supporter — we hope to see you there!


October 26, 2022: ASES Webinar Series

Passive House – The Economic and Environmental Solution for a Sustainable Future


November 2, 2022: Connect Conference

The Economic and Environmental Solution for Sustainable Real Estate.

Join us at Connect 2022! It’s a half day conference focused on green retrofits, new construction, renewable energy and green appraisals. You will broaden your knowledge and maximize your value to buyers and sellers. 


November 8, 2022: Upper Midwest Regional Home Performance Conference

Good Energy Haus – Minneapolis’ first certified Passive House Plus

  • Speaker: Tim Delhey Eian
  • Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington, 7800 Normandale Blvd, Bloomington, MN  55439, United States

November 9 – 10, 2022: AIA Minnesota – The Minnesota Conference on Architecture

1) Using Passive House to Achieve the AIA 2030 Commitment

2) Good Energy Haus – Minneapolis’ first certified Passive House Plus

  • Speakers: Marcy Conrad Nutt and Tim Delhey Eian
  • Venue: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 S Second Ave, Minneapolis, MN  55403

November 12-13, 2022: International Passive House Open Days

Good Energy Haus, 3406 Benjamin St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Good Energy Haus by TE Studio

December 17, 2022:  We All Need Food and Water

Get Involved This Summer and Fall!

URGENT: Help modify the Minnesota Residential Energy Code – both verbal and/or written comments accepted.

Attend the August 23, 9:30 am hearing of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry regarding Possible Amendments to Rules Governing the Minnesota Residential Energy Code  


Are you a Passive House Owner? Join the MRES Sustainability Tour.

The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) is looking for homes to feature on its National Solar Tour October 1 and 2. Sign up here. The MRES Sustainability Tour showcases homes and businesses in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin that feature solar installations, energy storage solutions, water-saving landscapes and more. Visitors can explore the houses virtually or in-person to hear solar-adopters share their planning and installation experiences first-hand, and learn about the cost-savings of sustainable practices and choices to fit their needs. 


Stop by and say hi!

Passive House will be at the 2022 Upper Midwest Home Performance Conference and Trade ShowNovember 7 – 8, 2022. 


Call for Speakers

The Getting to Zero Forum is coming to Minneapolis in 2023. Interested in being a speaker? The call for speakers is open now. We hope you’ll attend. 

2023 Duluth Energy Design Conference call for speakers – deadline is September 9, 2022. We hope you’ll attend. 


Get involved with your local AIA

AIA Minnesota’s COTE (Committee on the Environment) invited PHMN to support a new effort to emphasize building science with practitioners in Minnesota. A first successful call was held in August and COTE is looking for ideas and partners for this effort. Contact Deanna Christiansen at AIA MN with ideas, or to assist with the effort: christiansen@aia-mn.org 

Attend the 2022 AIA MN Conference November 9 – 11, 2022

There will be at least 2 Passive House lectures at this year’s local AIA Conference.


Passive House to the People – in 10 Minutes

We need your help! If you know of a local organization working on climate, clean energy, sustainability, or any of the same issues that Passive House is passionate about, please send the info to debora@passivehousenetwork.org. We’re organizing 10 minute intros to folks who know nothing about Passive House – but should. 

Supercharging Minnesota Affordable Multi-Family Housing Projects with Passive House

In June 2022, the Minnesota Passive House community came together to mount an effort and provide comment for the Minnesota QAP program, which awards points for development proposals for affordable multi-family housing in the state.

At present, Passive House projects qualify for a few points but are really only mentioned as a footnote.

The community is proposing to elevate the status of Passive House and award more points to Passive House projects in an effort to provide Passive House benefits to more people and create more equitable, sustainable, durable, comfortable, energy efficient housing.

Co-lead by Minnesotas’ Phius and Passive House Network chapters and endorsed by community organizations such as the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), as well as industry and practitioners, this comment submission demonstrates the vibrancy and energy in the Minnesota Passive House community.