The great big box store has a fantastic new commercial, but is it enough to get people to start really doing things?
Doing a little detective work work, are you, Home Depot? The smartest “more saving- more doing- that’s the power of Home Depot” slogan is even more powerful than “You can do it, we can help.” Whoever they have as their marketing team is – sigh- impressive and smart and well- sigh again- on the ball. They even have a whole line of eco-smart products now… good job Home Depot. The newest commercial for this big box giant played five times in a two hour period on HGTV over the weekend. Yeah. Judge me. I was watching Sandra Rinamato. I have a thing for her and that Holmes guy- he’s pretty awesome and she calls people on their crap. I love it. So, over the course of a Property Virgins, Holmes on Homes marathon, shall we call it. I was forced to listen to the smart marketing of Home Depot and as much I love the fact that they are getting into the empowerment of the general public to do all of the things that they can (on their own- for the most part) to get to energy efficiency the question is, are they really getting people to energy efficiency.
They can supply the products, but they don’t supply the know how, and the education. People need to know what they actually need to be doing to get their home to that energy efficiency standard that they are being told that they need to achieve. If the folks who are going to the big box stores haven’t had the proper guidance, they might be creating an environment that is not the healthy indoor air-quality that they are hoping to achieve. In fact, it is possible to over tighten a home to the point that mechanical ventilation is needed. Most people aren’t going to really be able to achieve this on their own- but the “more saving, more doing” mind-set folks who hang out in big box stores might get it into their heads that they need to really seal things up- beyond just the typical air sealing and weather stripping that can provide a generous cost savings for the energy efficiency they want.
At what point do you call in the professional? It is good to get a diagnostic at the beginning, if you feel your home is having major leakage issues. It is good to call in a professional if you’re just not sure how to go about doing a project so that you make sure you are getting your home taken care of properly. If you want to start doing some simple diagnostics on your own. Certainly check out our DIY Home energy audit series that we did over the course of the summer, and then head to the Home Depot, or your favorite big box store to take action. If you ever want additional assistance once you get started… remember what their original awesome slogan used to say- you can do it, we can help- right… Someone was really good at putting inspirational action words together. I want to hug them.
Tags: air sealing, big box stores and green building, diy home energy audit, energy efficiency and do it yourselfers, green building projects, home depot's new commericals, indoor air quality, weatherstripping, when do you need a professional
