Author: Foam Bear

Why Are Electric Bills Higher Than Ever In Florida? (& How You Can Combat Them)

Florida residents may have noticed a gradual increase in their utility bills. This isn’t just coming from nowhere, so what’s to blame? There are a great many culprits to point your finger at. We’ll let you in on the biggest offenders and what you can do to combat them in this eye-opening read! You can always count on Foam Bear Tampa to lend a helping hand with energy-saving solutions like high-quality spray foam and expert solar installation near you.

So, What’s Causing the Energy Bill Hikes?

We’re not here to get into politics. All you need to know is that recent developments have caused certain utility companies to change up their strategy, and that might reflect on your energy bills in Tampa.

Rising Natural Gas Prices

Florida hasn’t completely transitioned over to solar energy. Many residents are still using natural gas to power their homes or businesses. These property owners are facing the consequences of the rising cost of natural gas imports that are becoming rather scarce.

Hurricane Recovery Efforts

No one faces hurricanes like Florida does. With countless casualties each year, much of the funding is going towards hurricane recovery. In an effort to receive the funds for relief, the cost of some basic needs is increasing in price.

Adjusted Base Energy Rates

Both of the reasons listed above are driving forces behind utility companies raising their base rates. These companies include Florida Power and Light (FPL), Duke Energy, and Tampa Electric.

Energy-Saving Habits to Pick Up Around the House

One way to combat the rising price of electricity in Florida is by changing certain habits around the house. A little goes a long way! You just have to know what to do.

Setting your thermostat to a higher temperature (even by one notch) can decrease air conditioner usage, one of the leading causes of high energy bills in Tampa.

Replacing any outdated light bulbs with energy-efficient LED light bulbs can help you save a few bucks each month on electricity.

Only run large appliances when absolutely necessary. Wait until you have full loads before starting the dishwasher or washing machine.

Plugged-in electronics still use energy when turned off or set to standby. Completely unplug any devices not being used to prevent what we call “phantom energy” usage.

There are countless ways to reduce your energy bills during the summer months, but for the biggest impact when combating high electric bills in Tampa, it’s an even better idea to go with energy-efficient home upgrades!

Best Energy-Efficient Upgrades For Your Florida Home

A little investment can make the biggest difference. Opting for the most energy-efficient upgrades in Tampa can greatly cut down your electric bill by a good amount. And each month you save, the more you get back from return on investment (ROI).

Which energy upgrades are worth getting in Florida? Here are our top recommendations:

Spray foam insulation stops air leaks and insulates the home better with higher thermal resistance compared to other types of home insulation materials in Tampa. By closing up gaps in your walls and ceiling with high R-value insulation, you can offset high energy bills as soon as the first month of your home upgrade!

Did you know you can insulate your garage? Insulating your garage can help keep your home cooler in the summer.

Solar panel installation helps you avoid spikes in basic energy rates by reducing your reliance on Tampa’s main power grid. A solar panel professional can measure your home’s average energy usage and suggest the right number of panels to match your energy consumption.

Team Up With Foam Bear Tampa and Combat Higher Energy Bills With Premium Spray Foam Insulation!

Fight back against high energy bills with top-notch spray foam insulation and reliable solar panel installation from Foam Bear Tampa. Call (407) 334-9327 to ask for a free estimate!

How Spray Foam Helps Orlando Homes Meet Energy Efficient Standards

Florida’s energy usage is highly regulated. That’s a good thing, of course, considering the relentlessly hot weather and incredible population. We should be doing everything we can to help limit energy usage. But what’s the best way to meet energy efficiency standards for your Orlando home? There are countless ways to meet your energy-saving quota, but one of the best ways is to upgrade to spray foam insulation.

Keep reading to find out what top-notch spray foam can do for your home’s energy usage before reaching out to Foam Bear Orlando for a free estimate!

What Are Orlando’s Energy Standards?

Saving on energy in Orlando goes beyond avoiding the use of appliances during peak hours and swapping out all of your old light bulbs for LEDs. Every Orlando homeowner needs to bring their “A” game if we’re to make a real difference in bettering our ecosystem, and that’s why Florida has official regulations in place to help people lower their energy output.

Want to get serious about saving energy? Get to know these initiatives, organizations, and regulations:

The Better Building Challenge

One of the top initiatives in Florida, the Better Building Challenge aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by gaping percentages each year. How? By targeting the most common sources of everyday energy usage! For Orlando homes, that might be air conditioning usage.

Florida Building Codes

Property owners in Orlando abide by the Florida Building Code to stay up to par on all eco-friendly practices. Between new construction and home upgrades, all standards are constantly updated to ensure optimal energy savings at all times. These local codes apply to energy and water usage, with standards including the Florida Building Energy-Efficiency Rating Act.

Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy

Also known as BREWES, the Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy aims to improve larger buildings, specifically. BREWES actively tracks and reports energy and water usage for buildings that are over 10,000 square feet. Basically, the properties that undeniably impact the ecosystem.

ASHRAE Standard 90.1

This national standard is practiced by countless Orlando property owners in meeting the minimum requirements for energy efficiency. ASHRAE Standard 90.1 applies to new construction and encompasses components such as water fixtures, energy monitoring, lighting fixtures, and insulation.

Hurricane preparedness is another area met with standards that are exclusive to Florida. Meet both needs with one insulation when you choose spray foam for your Orlando home!

Where Does Spray Foam Fit Into Energy Efficiency For Orlando Homes?

Premium-grade spray foam insulation installed by approved suppliers greatly contributes to Florida’s many initiatives for mitigating and controlling energy usage in Orlando. Spray foam is better at meeting these standards compared to many other types of insulation materials, like low-performing rockwool insulation, for instance.

Spray foam has the advantage of offering many useful energy-efficient traits that are exclusive to expanding foam:

• Creates an air-tight barrier for reduced HVAC usage
• Provides better thermal resistance with a higher R-value
• Blocks out moisture to prevent mold and mildew
• Reduces air leaks by closing up hard-to-reach gaps

The benefits of spray foam in relation to energy efficiency have already been proven. This is why you can always find it on the list of approved upgrades when looking into energy-saving incentives for federal credit.

Homeowners in the area choose Foam Bear Orlando to ensure that they meet all local standards without fail when upgrading to spray foam insulation.

Make Sure Your Home Is Up to Energy Standards When You Call Foam Bear Orlando!

Do your part in creating a better Florida. Reach out to Foam Bear Orlando today at (407) 334-9327 to ask for a free quote on top-notch spray foam insulation near you! We install premium spray foam products in existing homes and new construction, making us your go-to team of insulation professionals that you can count on in any situation.