Do You Really Need Insulation? Einstein May Have Said No
Have you ever jumped to a conclusion without doing your homework first, and gone through failure because of it? I sure have. My customers are often hoping for the silver bullet – let’s just fix this problem with a simple, inexpensive solution (more insulation, please) and move on. The problem is, when you jump to conclusions, your odds of that conclusion being correct are not as high as we all would like to think.
That leads to unsolved problems – a room still too hot or cold, icicles still forming, mold forming again in the attic, etc.
I don’t like unsolved problems, and neither do my clientele. I was reflecting on this and came across this great quote from one of the dumber guys that has walked this earth, Albert Einstein. (Kidding.)
If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than 5 minutes. Albert Einstein
Basically, define the problem well and the solution is much easier to come to. Here’s a great article on techniques to help do that.
That’s not the whole problem or solution, though. Have you ever gotten between friends that are about to break up, and it devolves into he said, she said? Einstein had something to say about that, too.
You can never solve a problem on the level it was created. Albert Einstein
He was probably thinking about math problems that would give us a heart attack, but the principle applies to the he said, she said game too. Until you understand your friends’ upbringings, relationships with their parents, financial stresses, areas of conflict, and so forth, you are never going to actually help them solve their problem. In other words, you have to level up on the problem before you can fix it.
In the case of Home Performance, the Building Science and complex interactions between systems are too much for the average homeowner to understand. Heck, they are too much for the average Building Scientist to understand, which is why I have developed collaborative relationships to help in my weak areas.
Blatant Pitch Alert:
Energy Smart’s Comprehensive Home Performance Energy Assessment has a thorough process to be sure that the problem is indeed defined from a level higher before we even move towards the solution.
Not surprisingly, we start with asking a ton of questions to figure out more about what you are trying to solve, where those issues are, what is most important to you, and much more. That first part is actually free, if you qualify. (Give us a call to find out if you do.)
Then you may consider moving forward and having us create a detailed plan tailored to your specifications with 3 different solution paths for you to choose from.
By slowing down, defining the problem, stepping up to a higher level (the Building Science level), and taking our time to understand your needs and your home’s needs, we can accomplish something rather magical together – a solution.
Sound intriguing? Give us a call at 330-524-6495 to see if you qualify for a Free Home Performance Assessment. And feel free to comment below!
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