Course in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings
Online 300-hour course in energy retrofitting of existing buildings. 6 modules covering the Spanish Technical Building Code DB HE, Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on energy efficiency of buildings and CE3X. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings — studying from South Africa
Energy is a defining sector in South Africa, with Eskom operating the bulk of the national generation and transmission network and independent power producers increasingly contributing renewable capacity. Grid modernisation, renewable integration and distribution management create steady demand for engineers. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa oversees electricity regulation, while municipalities manage local distribution. Energy engineers typically work on generation, transmission, protection and system planning.
Fees for South Africa: R 14 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate energy and networks engineers, and would SEIUM count?
Energy engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA, and the electricity sector is regulated by NERSA. Utilities and networks often require registered professionals for certain work. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is for employers and the relevant body to decide, so verify this before enrolling.
Will this qualification help me find work with energy or network employers in South Africa?
South Africa's energy sector includes Eskom, municipalities, independent power producers and grid-related firms, which typically hire registered and experienced engineers. A private online qualification may support your application but does not guarantee a role. Check with target employers how they view it, and combine it with practical experience where possible.
How do I manage the workload, and can I get help with fees?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you need good English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so ask your employer whether they would support the cost.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Diagnose the energy performance of existing buildings using inspection and testing techniques.
Propose improvement solutions for the thermal envelope and thermal bridges.
Select thermal and renewable installations suited to retrofitting.
Simulate and compare packages of measures using recognised tools.
Apply the Technical Building Code to interventions on existing buildings.
Manage aid and financing for energy retrofitting.
Develop a complete energy retrofitting project.
Who it's for
- Energy retrofitting technician who wants to specialise in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings.
- Energy certifier who wants to specialise in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings.
- Technical architect for efficiency who wants to specialise in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings.
- Retrofitting project manager who wants to specialise in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings.
- Public funding consultant who wants to specialise in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings.
- Building energy auditor who wants to specialise in Energy Retrofitting of Buildings.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the building and retrofitting sector.
What you'll work with
- Technical Building Code DB HE
- Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on energy efficiency of buildings
- Royal Decree 390/2021 on energy certification of buildings
- EN 13187
- ISO 9869-1
- EN ISO 9972
- EN ISO 13788
- EN ISO 52016-1
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Construction typologies of the building stock1.2Thermal and moisture pathologies1.3Visual inspection and data collection1.4Infrared thermography to EN 131871.5Blower Door airtightness test1.6In-situ measurement of transmittance1.7Bill analysis and consumption profiles1.8Energy certification of the current state1.9Building energy passport1.10Workshop: thermographic diagnosis of a façade
2.1External wall insulation with ETICS (SATE)2.2Ventilated façades and internal linings2.3Insulation of roofs and floor slabs2.4Replacement of window frames and glazing2.5Treatment of thermal bridges2.6Condensation control using the Glaser method2.7Solar protection and gain control2.8Airtightness and continuity of barriers2.9Compatibility with heritage buildings2.10Practice: condensation calculation in a retrofitted wall
3.1Replacing boilers with heat pumps3.2Low-temperature emitters3.3Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery3.4Efficient domestic hot water production3.5Self-consumption photovoltaics in communities3.6Solar thermal in residential buildings3.7Individualised regulation and control3.8Individual consumption metering3.9Integration into existing district heating networks3.10Case study: retrofitting a community boiler room
4.1Energy modelling of the current state4.2Model calibration with actual consumption4.3Packages of improvement measures4.4Cost-optimal analysis of solutions4.5Non-renewable primary energy savings4.6Thermal comfort and summer overheating4.7Payback period and net present value4.8Recognised certification tools4.9Phased retrofitting and roadmaps4.10Laboratory: comparison of measures with CE3X
5.1Technical Building Code and DB HE5.2Requirements for interventions in existing buildings5.3Horizontal Property Law and community agreements5.4Retrofitting aid programmes5.5Tax deductions for energy efficiency5.6Energy savings certificates5.7Licences and municipal procedures5.8Retrofitting agents and retrofitting offices5.9Renovation Wave strategy5.10Case study: aid application file for a residential block
6.1Selection of the target building6.2Initial diagnosis and certification6.3Proposal of envelope measures6.4Proposal of installation measures6.5Simulation and final rating6.6Budget and financing plan6.7Works scheduling with occupants6.8Results verification plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CE3X, HULC (Unified LIDER-CALENER Tool), CYPETHERM HE Plus, DesignBuilder, THERM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for energy and thermographic diagnosis of a residential building, simulation of improvement measure packages, and processing of retrofitting aid. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Diagnose the energy performance of existing buildings using inspection and testing techniques.
Propose improvement solutions for the thermal envelope and thermal bridges.
Select thermal and renewable installations suited to retrofitting.
Simulate and compare packages of measures using recognised tools.
Apply the Technical Building Code to interventions on existing buildings.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That works out to an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with CE3X, HULC (Unified LIDER-CALENER Tool), CYPETHERM HE Plus, DesignBuilder, THERM. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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