From Challenges to Expertise: Becoming a Certified Passive House Consultant

Living in a 1984 tri-level home presented Janice and her family with more than their fair share of challenges. Inefficient heating and cooling systems, persistent mold, condensation issues, peeling paint, and even a family of chipmunks nesting in the walls drove Janice to pursue a better solution. Determined to create a healthier and more efficient home, she set out to design a space that would meet her family’s needs while tackling these common housing pitfalls head-on.


Over the past five years, Janice immersed herself in the world of high-performance homebuilding. From studying wall assemblies and advanced building materials to mastering the nuances of heating systems, heat pumps, air sealing, and ventilation, she left no stone unturned. Her research extended into concepts like thermal mass and solar heat gain, all with the goal of designing homes that prioritize energy efficiency and indoor air quality.


With the support of Riemco, Janice continued her education and enrolled in the rigorous program of the Passive House Institute United States (PHIUS) to become a Certified Passive House Consultant. Through this journey to understand the best way to build a home, Janice has come full circle and is currently in the process of building her own ‘Nearly Passive’ house as she continues to learn more from hands-on experience.


As an integral part of the Riemco family, Janice shares her passions and knowledge with her coworkers and our clients. We have the honor to call her our Director of Planning + Design, and our clients have the advantages of working alongside her as she understands their dreams and explores the best ways to build their home together.