Ready to make your home or business more comfortable and energy efficient? Snug Planet is here to help.
Founded in October 2006, Snug Planet is celebrating its 10th year in business. The company started with a narrow focus on air sealing and insulating existing homes, but has grown into advancing homes and buildings of all shapes and sizes into net zero efficiency through air sealing, insulation, basement conditioning, and the installation of efficient, renewable energy heating and cooling systems. Snug Planet also works with builders and architects to plan efficient new construction.
A residential project with Snug Planet always starts off with an assessment at no out-of-pocket cost to the homeowner, thanks to a variety of state incentive programs.
“Houses are like people: they tell stories,” says Elisabeth Harrod, General Manager of Snug Planet. “Every home is different. One of the things that distinguishes Snug Planet from others doing this work is that we don’t use cookie cutter solutions. Our building scientists won’t make any recommendations without a thorough investigation.”
Snug Planet’s membership with the Chamber of Commerce has supported its growth from a small, in-home family business to their expansion into its own facility on Mecklenberg Road with more than 13 employees, all making a living wage.
Learning about other businesses’ policies and practices at Chamber networking events has inspired Snug Planet to provide new benefits for its employees, and Chamber trainings and resources have supported the company, especially through the launch of Obamacare.
“I wasn’t sure how Obamacare was going to impact my business and I didn’t want to take the time to figure it out,” says Elisabeth. “I was so grateful that I could just tell my employees to call the Chamber and talk to a navigator.”
By supporting community events like Ithaca Festival, Grassroots, and the State Theatre, Snug Planet is committed to making the community a better place for its employees and its customers. In her time on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Elisabeth supported the health and growth of our community by advocating for living wage policies and by positioning herself against fracking.
The Chamber has also provided a network of support for Elisabeth in her role of General Manager in a growing company. “Even though I have a team, it can be a little lonely,” she explains. “As an owner and GM, I’m not in the day-to-day as much. Often the challenges that float to my desk are new and we haven’t been in that situation before. I can pick up the phone and call the Chamber themselves or any other Chamber members and ask for support and advice.”
Check out snugplanet.com and take the first steps towards a more efficient home or business. Profile and photos by Allison Usavage.
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