BEO Science — Online Course
Thermal Bridge Modelling
to ISO 10211
Learn to calculate linear thermal transmittance (ψ-values) for building junctions and penetrations — and apply the results to Passive House certification, NZBC H1, NCC Section J, and Green Star compliance in New Zealand and Australia.
In Development
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This course is currently in development. We're working through the content, software walkthroughs, and worked examples — and we want to hear from you. Register your interest and we'll notify you the moment enrolment opens, with early-bird pricing for those on the list.
Course Overview
What the course will cover
A practical, tool-based course taking you from the theory of heat flow at building junctions through to producing ψ-values you can use directly in PHPP, thermal modelling reports, and compliance submissions.
What thermal bridges are and why they matter
How geometric, structural, and penetration bridges affect building heat loss. The relationship between ψ-values, U-values, and overall energy performance. Why Passive House certification requires explicit thermal bridge calculation — and what happens if you don't do it.
ISO 10211 — the calculation standard
Boundary conditions, material properties, geometric modelling rules, and result interpretation. What the standard requires and what the modelling software implements. Applicable in NZ, Australia, and internationally for Passive House and Green Star submissions.
Modelling software walkthrough
Step-by-step worked examples in industry-standard 2D thermal modelling software. Setting up the model, defining boundary conditions, running the simulation, extracting ψ-values and temperature factors (f-Rsi) for condensation risk assessment.
Common junction types — worked examples
Slab-to-wall, wall-to-roof, window reveals, balcony connections, parapet details, and penetrations. Modelling each junction correctly, interpreting the results, and identifying how to improve the detail to reduce heat loss.
Applying ψ-values to PHPP and compliance
How to enter ψ-values into PHPP for Passive House certification. How thermal bridge results feed into NZBC H1 modelling, NCC Section J energy analysis, and Green Star credit submissions. What certifiers and assessors need from your thermal bridge report.
Who This Course Is For
Built for building performance specialists
This is a technical course for practitioners who need to produce, check, or interpret thermal bridge calculations as part of their professional work.
Passive House Designers & Certifiers
Calculate the ψ-values your PHPP needs directly. Stop relying on generic catalogue values and understand the thermal performance of your specific details.
Architects & Building Designers
Understand the thermal implications of junction details early in design — before they're locked in. Produce thermally optimised details that consultants and certifiers can rely on.
Structural & Building Services Engineers
Assess the thermal impact of structural elements, tie rods, penetrations, and cantilever connections. Provide ψ-values that feed correctly into energy models and compliance calculations.
Energy Assessors & Compliance Professionals
Produce and interpret thermal bridge reports for NZBC H1, NCC Section J, and Green Star submissions — without outsourcing every calculation.
Standards & Compliance Applications
Where thermal bridge modelling applies in NZ and Australia
The course covers the calculation standard and its application across the key compliance and certification pathways relevant to practitioners in New Zealand and Australia.
Thermal bridges in building construction — heat flows and surface temperatures. The international standard for 2D and 3D numerical calculation of ψ-values and f-Rsi temperature factors. Adopted by Passive House Institut and referenced in NZBC and NCC energy compliance pathways.
Passive House, EnerPHit, and PHI Low Energy Building certification requires explicit thermal bridge input in PHPP. ψ-values calculated to ISO 10211 are the accepted method. Incorrect or missing thermal bridge data is a common source of PHPP recalculation requests from certifiers.
The H1 Modelling Method (Schedule Method alternative) and VM1 energy modelling pathway both require thermal bridge assessment for high-performance envelopes. Explicit ψ-value calculation to ISO 10211 is required when thermal bridges are significant contributors to total heat loss.
NCC 2022 Section J and the Whole of Building pathway (NatHERS / JV3) require thermal performance assessment of the building fabric. Structural thermal bridges — balconies, concrete slabs, steel connections — must be accounted for in the energy model.
Green Star energy credits and thermal comfort credits require demonstrated fabric performance. Thermal bridge modelling supports Energy credit submissions and provides evidence for temperature factor (f-Rsi) compliance for condensation risk.
The temperature factor f-Rsi — derived from ISO 10211 thermal bridge models — is used to assess surface condensation risk at junctions and penetrations. Required for NZBC H1 Schedule 2, healthy home standards, and any project where mould and condensation risk must be formally assessed.
Delivery
Online, self-paced, available internationally
Work through it when it suits you — return to it on every project
The course will be fully online and self-paced — no fixed cohorts, no travel requirements, no waiting for the next intake. Short, focused video lessons structured around real modelling workflows, with worked examples you can follow alongside the software.
Accessible from New Zealand, Australia, and internationally — wherever Passive House certification, Green Star, or local energy code compliance requires thermal bridge calculation to ISO 10211.