A home with air leaks and insufficient insulation loses energy and typically causes the heating and cooling system to work harder in order to keep the home at a comfortable temperature.  

Wade H. was interested in the cost and time it would take to properly air seal and apply insulation to his home.  Energy specialist Michael Tucker from Dr. Energy Saver went out to assess Wade’s home and give him an appropriate estimate. 

In one short day, the production team from Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva went out and installed two inches of closed cell spray foam insulation and well as insulating and air sealing 10” rim joists.  This work will definitely increase overall energy efficiency because the interior air will not be able to get out as easily, and heat transfer will be slowed.  Wade can now enjoy a more comfortable and healthy home for years to come.    

In the winter, it’s very easy to tell where air is leaking into your home.  Whether it’s around doors and windows or small openings around the house, these cracks allow the conditioned air to escape and cold air to get in.  Gregory P. contacted Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva and described that he had signs of moisture on his ceilings and possible ice dams, as well as insufficient insulation that may be the cause of these problems.

Energy expert Michael Tucker went out to assess the problem and recommended an energy efficient solution.  He concluded that attic insulation and air sealing, an insulated attic door, airtight insulated boxes over can lights, and spray foam insulation should be installed. Each of these would effectively seal the home’s outer envelope and reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

Gregory P. can now rest assured that ice damming will no long be a possibility because of the sealed air leaks and added attic insulation.  Additionally, his heating and cooling system will not have to work as hard to keep the home comfortable all year round.   

Over the years, Tom H. has replaced windows, siding, and the roof of his home.  He has also done other renovation work, but still the house is uncomfortable and drafty during the cold winter months.   Finally it was time to find a permanent solution for this undesirable situation. 

Tom H. searched online and found Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva- his local energy contractor.  Michael Alicknavitch is an energy specialist who checked out Tom’s home and determined that adding SuperAttic, spray foam insulation to the basement/crawl space, the SuperKnee Wall insulation and air sealing treatment, and the CleanSpace crawl space encapsulation system with SilverGlo would definitely solve his home comfort problems.

SuperAttic and SilverGlo are similar because they are both rigid foam insulation panels that fully seal and insulate the space they are in.  Each one is perfect for their application because it is not messy and will sufficiently and effectively slow the flow of heat.  Now Tom H. and his family can enjoy a comfortable, warm, and cozy home throughout the winter and not worry about drafts and heat easily escaping.  

Proper insulation is what separates the highs and lows when it comes to a homeowner’s electric bill.  When homeowner Curtis K. found that his electric bill was through the roof he wanted a reason why: was it poor insulation or was it just how high he keeps the thermostat?  Seeking professional assistance, Curtis began looking around for an expert.  After searching for some time on line, Curtis came across Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva, and after seeing their impressive credentials he called them to come out and evaluate his home.

Shortly after contacting them, Curtis was met by Delmarva representative Michael Tucker at his Newark, MD home.  After explaining his current situation to Michael, Michael began evaluating the house for heat loss.  He eventually made his way to the attic and found that the finished attic was poorly insulated and was letting heat escape.  Michael had only one solution for Curtis’s problem and that is the installation of Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation.  Closed Cell Spray Foam is an all-in-one insulation that doubles as an air sealant.  This type of insulation is ideal for any situation, even under the most extreme insulation requirements.  Curtis agreed to the product to be installed and Michael called in Delmarva’s Production Team One to complete the insulation installation process.  

Proper insulation can make it or break it when it comes to an energy efficient home.  Curtis’s home was once taking money out of his pocket that he didn’t realize, but thanks to the professionals at Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva, Curtis’s home is now energy efficient and will continue to be for years to come!

Wilmington, DE homeowner Tom H. found himself in a predicament when he felt constant drafts coming through his home, especially during the winter months.  After trying to replace the windows, the siding, and parts of the roof to stop the drafts, Tom decided he wanted a professional to come in and find a way to make his home more comfortable. Tom immediately went online to search for contractors in his area, and he was soon redirected to Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva whom he contacted.

Soon after being contacted, Delmarva sent out insulation specialist Michael Alicknavitch to talk with Tom and evaluate his home.  After greeting one another, Tom began to explain the problem he was facing to Michael and he showed him specific areas in the home where he felt a draft coming through.  Michael analyzed the specific areas and then asked to inspect the crawl space.  In the crawl space, Michael found that the insulation installed had deteriorated due to excess moisture that had accumulated in the crawl space over time.  After taking a look at a few other sections of the home, Michael began to explain solutions to Tom’s problem.  Michael recommended that specified areas of the home be insulated with SuperKneeWall insulation and other areas of the main floors be insulated and air sealed to prevent future drafts.  For the crawl space, Michael knew that the excess moisture had to be eliminated, so he proposed the installation of a CleanSpace encapsulation system. This system is installed along the walls and floor of the crawl space and prevents moisture from penetrating its surface and getting into the confines of the crawl space.  Finally, Michael recommended installing new insulation in the crawl space and air sealing it as well.  

Michael called in Delmarva’s Production Team One to complete the installation process.  Drafts are no longer a problem in this Wilmington home, thanks to the professionals at Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva. Tom is now finally comfortable in his home and can enjoy it to its fullest potential with friends and family for years to come!

Insulation trouble is a very annoying and possibly costly problem.  When Wilmington homeowner John M. and his wife noticed that one of their rooms was cold in the winter and hot in the summer, they decided to start looking around for a contractor. The couple found themselves at a local home show where they saw a vendor for Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva. John filled out a form requesting a free estimate.

Shortly after filling out the form, the couple was contacted by Delmarva who wanted to send out a representative to the couple’s home.  The couple was soon met by Delmarva representative Michael Alicknavitch to inspect their home.  John explained that not only did the specific room need improvement, but there was also possible work in the crawl space and ducts.  After inspecting the home, Michael agreed that John was right and began to explain products that would fix the couples problems.  In the crawl space, Michael noticed a build up of outside moisture, and for this he recommended the CleanSpace encapsulation system coupled with a CleanSpace drainage matting.  The CleanSpace encapsulation system is installed along the floor and walls of a crawl space and is designed to prevent outside moisture from penetrating into the confines of the crawl space.  The drainage matting is designed to drain all moisture within the crawl space to a sump pump or other installed drainage system.  Throughout the rest of the house, Michael recommended that the ducts be sealed, and the specified room be insulated with closed cell spray foam insulation.  This type of insulation is an “all in one” insulation and is ideal for any home, even with the most extreme problems.

After going through what exactly was going to be installed and how it was going to be done, Michael called in Delmarva’s Production Team One to complete the process.  John finds that he and his wife are no longer having insulation problems anymore.  Their home feels better than ever and it’s all thanks to the professionals at Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva!

Proper insulation is what separates the highs and lows when it comes to a homeowner’s electric bill.  When homeowner Curtis K. found that his electric bill was through the roof he wanted a reason why: was it poor insulation or was it just how high he keeps the thermostat?  Seeking professional assistance, Curtis began looking around for an expert.  After searching for some time on line, Curtis came across Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva, and after seeing their impressive credentials he called them to come out and evaluate his home.

Shortly after contacting them, Curtis was met by Delmarva representative Michael Tucker at his Newark, MD home.  After explaining his current situation to Michael, Michael began evaluating the house for heat loss.  He eventually made his way to the attic and found that the finished attic was poorly insulated and was letting heat escape.  Michael had only one solution for Curtis’s problem and that is the installation of Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation.  Closed Cell Spray Foam is an all-in-one insulation that doubles as an air sealant.  This type of insulation is ideal for any situation, even under the most extreme insulation requirements. Curtis agreed to the product to be installed and Michael called in Delmarva’s Production Team One to complete the insulation installation process.  

Proper insulation can make it or break it when it comes to an energy efficient home.  Curtis’s home was once taking money out of his pocket that he didn’t realize, but thanks to the professionals at Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva, Curtis’s home is now energy efficient and will continue to be for years to come!

Energy efficiency solutions not only keep your home well insulated but are also incredibly cost effective in the long run.  When Bear, DE homeowner Robert M. found that his attic’s insulation was wearing thin, he decided he needed a long lasting solution.  Robert began asking around at work and among friends and family for a reputable contractor. Shortly after he was referred to DES Delmarva by a neighbor who said they did good work.  Robert contacted them that same day for a free estimate.

Shortly after, Robert was met at his home by energy efficiency specialist Michael Alicknavitch who immediately took to his attic. Michael evaluated the situation and agreed that Robert’s insulation was wearing thin and needed to be replaced immediately.  Upon further inspection, Michael recommended that Robert have TruSoft blown-in insulation installed in his attic.  This type of insulation is ideal for insulating attic spaces.  With the recommendation agreed upon, Michael called in Production Team One to complete the process on Robert’s behalf.

After a short one day installation process, Robert’s attic is now more energy efficient than ever.  With TruSoft blown in insulation installed in his attic he should have no more energy problems for years to come!

Peggy H. of New Castle, DE discovered one day that the insulation in her home was becoming ineffective.  Knowing from prior knowledge that the source of this problem can be associated with the attic, Peggy knew  she needed professional assistance.  She was referred to Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva by a family friend and she went on their website to request a free estimate.  

She was soon met by insulation specialist Michael Brittingham at her New Castle house to evaluate her attic.  What Michael noticed was that her attic insulation was almost non-existent and needed to be replaced with a more effective, energy efficient solution.   First, Michael recommended air sealing the attic as a first level of protection.  Next, instead of traditional fiberglass insulation, TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation would be installed.  Finally, an attic zipper seal would be installed on the entrance ladder to ensure an airtight seal to keep it well insulated.  

With the recommendations agreed upon, Michael called in the assistance of Production Team One to complete the insulation installation process.  Now that Peggy’s attic is properly insulated, she no longer has to worry about heating bills and can sleep comfortably at night thanks to the professionals at DES Delmarva.

Brent J. is a New Castle homeowner who has a insulation problem.  Realizing that a lack of insulation leads to energy deficiencies and high costs, Brent decided he wanted professional assistance.  Brent took to Google to find a company when he came across Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva who he called that same day.

Delmarva representative Michael Alicknavitch was sent to Brent’s New Castle home to evaluate his insulation.  After analyzing parts of the home such as the attic, the garage and the basement, Michael realized that Brent’s attic and garage were poorly insulated.  Thankfully for Brent, Michael had the ideal solution.  After calling Production Team One to install the products, Michael walked Brent through the installation process.  Brent oversaw the crew install TruSoft blown-in cellulose insulation in his attic and his garage ceiling.  This dense pack insulation is an ideal and more suitable type of insulation than fiberglass due to its dense nature.  Along with this, the crew air sealed the attic and ceiling of the garage as an added layer of protection.

After a quick and easy two day installation, Brent’s home is now correctly insulated and he no longer has to worry about high costs or cold drafts, all thanks to the professionals at Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva.

When homes encounter high humidity inside of their basement, it usually leads to odd or musty odors seeping through the floor into your living space making your home stay very uncomfortable. Homeowners in Wilmington, Delaware were suffering from that problem. 

With humidity levels inside of the basement higher than what was expected, condensation began to appear causing those odd odors. After calling out Dr. Energy Saver who diagnosed the issues they were having inside of the basement, the production got to work. 

The first matter at hand involved removing the previous damp and foul smelling insulation inside of the basement. We then installed our high performance energy efficient dehumidification system inside of the basement to control the relative humidity levels inside. This prevents condensation from happening and also prevents the potential of microbial growth. 

After the work was completed, the homeowners noticed the odor was no longer. Overrall, another happy and satisfied Dr. Energy Saver customer! 

When checking the duct work in homes, it is proven that all duct work leaks. Stopping these leaks typically will have a lasting impact on how well you can control your heating and cooling inside of your home. But how to stop duct leakage is an on-going issue with homeowners.

Here in Wilmington, Delaware homeowners were experiencing just those conditions. With gaps inside of the duct work, not only did this cause their HVAC system to turn on more than it should causing higher electric bills, the leaks in the duct work caused debris, air pollutants, and other air quality issues to be blown inside of the home. Also, the house leaked so bad that they could not heat or cool one side of the home! Imagine living in a home where one side is too uncomfortable to even spend time in. 

Dr. Energy Saver was called to help solve the problem the homeowners were experiencing. We recommended Aeroseal which is a process that seals cracks and holes in new and existing air duct systems. Seeing the added benefits of how aerosealing your duct work could benefit you in savings off your fuel and electric bills, the homeowners agreed to the work. 

We tested their duct work before sealing up the holes and leaks. The home had 722.5 CFM(Cubic Feet per Minute) of leakage. That is equivalent to a 136.5 square inch hole which is about 433.5 refrigerators full of air loss every hour! After aerosealing their duct work, we reduced the leakage down to 25.5 CFM of leakage which is equivalent to a 4.8 square inch hole. Overall, Dr. Energy sealed up 95.5% of the duct leakage improving the overall homes comfort and health! 

We often get called because even when people THINK they are happy with their overall comfort and energy bills in their home, they have a sneaking suspicion these things can be improved.

When we talked with Yvonne she was just that type of person.  She was comfortable and she didn’t think her bills were high but on inspection we showed her all the areas in her attic that were unnecessarily leaking air conditioned air from the home.  During her subsequent Delmarva Power Energy audit she had a blower door number of 4109CFM (cubic feet per minute).  That was the number of her air loss.

After her work was done we ran another blower door and found out we improved that number by 46%!

Even when you don’t THINK there is room for improvement there often is!

Many newer homes are fitted with passive radon systems.  What a passive system does is it uses pressure differential (The Stack Effect) and air currents to draw radon gas out of the soil up and out of the home.  Many homeowners who have a passive system or purchase a home with a passive system may choose to make it an active system by adding a fan that will help draw the gas out more efficiently and effectively.

At Lawson Home Services, if you have a passive system, we still require a qualified representative to come out and examine the system.  We often see that passive systems have been installed incorrectly and/or that activating them isn’t beneficial to the customer.

Ultimately, if you have a passive system our representative will walk you through (1) if your system can be activated, (2) if it canNOT activated, why that is, or (3) why turning a passive system to an active system will lower your radon level.

We want you, the customer, to know what it is you paid us to do and why we are doing it.

For homeowners worried about their home’s exterior aesthetic we offer upgrades as well as assurances that we are doing our best to keep your home’s beauty and integrity.

Fasteners used on the outside of home are designed not to rust and we use a thick wall (schedule 40) PVC pipe that will not yellow or become brittle over time.  Finally, for those individuals who do not like the look of the fan on the outside of their home we do offer an upgrade that encloses your fan in a sleek box.

Our first priority is your health and safety, but we also do our best to maintain your home’s interior and exterior beauty while doing our work.

A technician from Lawson Home Services recently conducted the recommended routine maintenance on the dehumidification system that was installed in the crawlspace of this Wilmington, DE home several years ago.

Our technician conducted tests on the Sedona SaniDry™ dehumidifier and condensate pump to ensure their proper functioning. The technician cleaned and replaced the filter, as well as inspected all drain hoses to ensure there were no clogs and that they remained properly connected. Additionally, he tested the humidity levels in the air and the moisture content of the wooden structures in the crawlspace, both of which were found to be within ideal ranges.

Everything appeared to be in good condition within the crawlspace of this home. We plan to return in a year for the next scheduled maintenance.

An energy audit of this Wilmington, DE home, built in 1954, reveals many things typical of homes built before 1970.  Typically in these homes we see a lack of insulation, both in the walls and in the attic.  Outdated and inefficient heating and air conditioning systems is also found quite often. But by far the greatest source of energy loss is one of which most homeowners are totally unaware - AIR LEAKS.  The "blower door" test indicated the combined air leaks in this home have the same effect as leaving a standard size window open 6-inches, YEAR-ROUND!  Using an infrared camera (see picture) the auditor found there was no insulation in the walls of this home.  YIKES! Imagine how much the cost of heating and cooling have been for this unfortunate homeowner. 

Dr. Energy Saver recommends removing the nasty old insulation, then starting with a fresh clean attic floor so the tedious work of air sealing can be done properly. After the air sealing work is completed 17 inches of fresh, new, fire resistant TruSoft™ cellulose insulation is blown onto the attic floor. This upgrades the R-value of the insulation from R16 all the way up to R60, a four-fold improvement. That will surely bring down the cost of heating and air conditioning.