Energy Auditor showing a customer a potential problem area of their home, using thermal imaging.
April 10, 2014

Winter's coming. It's already heating season. So how do you save money on heating costs? You've got to own your heat. Simple as that. You've paid for all that warm air already, so it doesn't make much sense to waste it now.

A simple enough premise - it's the application that gets complicated. We (and most building science experts) strongly recommend air sealing and insulation as high priority measures to make your home use less energy, make you more comfortable, and make the planet happy.

Air sealing can sometimes be done by a competent do-it-yourself-er, but insulation is trickier. It generally has to be done by a contractor, and for the most part can only be installed by getting inside walls that are now closed up. And unlike air sealing flaws, which you can often see just by scanning your basement walls, the quality of insulation in your house is, for the most part, difficult to assess. (Thankfully, the attic, which is the most critical spot for insulation, is the easiest to access).

This is an important point, because even if all insulation is created equal (a separate discussion), that doesn't necessarily mean that all insulation is equally well installed - which, in this case, may be just as important. Insulation only works when it's installed to specifications, and when it's in good shape. So even if there is insulation in your walls, even if you've seen it or paid for it or been told by your real estate agent that it's there, it may be sleeping on the job.

The best way to assess the quality of otherwise "invisible" insulation is a home energy audit from a qualified home energy auditor with an infrared scanner, which will reveal where there are problems with your insulation.

Another reason why a home energy audit is really a problem-solving exercise. After you have it done, you'll know where the issues are. Without it, your home might just remain an unsolved mystery... The Case of the Cold House and the Disappearing Dollars.

Increase your home's Indoor Air Quality today!

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Testimonials

  • Last year my company hired Sawgrass Home Solutions to do home diagnostic inspections on over a dozen homes. He completed detailed inspections using a blower door, duct blaster, and thermal camera on all of them.

    J. Erbel, Charleston, South Carolina
  • I want to take this opportunity to tell you what an outstanding young man and contractor Chris Albrecht of Sawgrass Home Solutions is.  He made this such a pleasurable transaction.  His work, attitude, honesty and recommendations are truly way above  average.

    B. Hogan, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
  • Sawgrass Home Solutions, LLC conducted a complete home energy audit for me; they modeled the results and gave me a detailed report. During their audit, they discovered areas around the house which were in need of repairs. Sawgrass made a number of the repairs, including a roof repair.... Read More

    J. Allen, Charleston, South Carolina
  • We are a residential contracting company, and Sawgrass Home Solutions provides us with IECC Compliance Testing services. They are courteous, prompt, and they have always done a professional job. They show up when they say they will and they do a great job.

    G. Premak, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
  • Sawgrass Home Solutions, LLC has tested several houses for me...they do a great job. Chris is very knowledgeable and he has all the right equipment to thoroughly and effectively address code compliance testing and home diagnostics. I highly recommend him for your testing needs!

    R. Johnson, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
  • It was a pleasure working with Chris Albrecht and Sawgrass Home Solutions for our home energy retrofit. Chris was easy to communicate with and responsive.

    C. Carnevale, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Thanks for the wonderful job you did repairing the moisture damage on our home on James Island. It looks like a new house now! You make home repairs seem like a walk in the park. I know we will be calling on you again and telling all our friends about Sawgrass Home Solutions.

    A. Scott, James Island, South Carolina
  • Over the past two years, Chris has served as project manager and carpenter on a variety of jobs at our residence on Church Street in downtown Charleston. His creativity and timeliness have been good and his enthusiasm for the work exceptional.

    R. Johnstone, Charleston, South Carolina
  • As a realtor, I am always careful when I recommend someone to one of my buyers. Without question, I would recommend Chris Albrecht to any of my clients. I have also had Chris do work for me personally and I was exceptionally happy.

    J. Wegner, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
  • Chris has worked on several projects for us over the years. He takes great pride in his work and strives for perfection. Chris has wonderful problem solving ideas for those "What do we do about this" encounters. He is dependable, trustworthy and a pleasure to work with.

    J. Anderson, Charleston, South Carolina