Summer on the Gulf Coast can make your electric bill climb fast. If you’ve ever wondered where your home is using the most power, you have a free tool you can use right now. Florida Power & Light’s Home Energy Survey, paired with the Energy Manager in your My FPL account, helps you spot waste, make smart fixes, and track results. In this guide, you’ll see how the survey works in Gulf Breeze, what to expect, and how to turn insights into lower bills. Let’s dive in.
What FPL’s Home Energy Survey is
The Home Energy Survey is a no-cost service for FPL residential customers. A trained technician reviews how your home uses electricity and gives you prioritized recommendations. You can usually choose an in-home or virtual visit, depending on current availability.
During the appointment, the technician looks for low-cost wins and longer-term upgrades. You also learn how to use your My FPL account’s Energy Manager to monitor usage by the hour or day. That way, you can see the impact after you make changes.
Why it matters in Gulf Breeze
Hot, humid summers drive air conditioning use across Santa Rosa County. In many homes, cooling is the largest electric load from late spring through early fall. If you tune up your HVAC, seal leaks, or adjust thermostat habits before the hottest weeks, you can avoid bill spikes.
Gulf Breeze also has a mix of older cottages and newer single-family homes. Older construction may have attic insulation gaps or duct issues. A survey can highlight those opportunities and help you budget for improvements.
How to schedule and prepare
You can request a Home Energy Survey through your My FPL account or by contacting customer service. Appointments are typically available as in-home or virtual visits. Virtual surveys let you walk the technician through your spaces using your phone or tablet.
Have your most recent electric bill and account number ready. If you are a newer resident, confirm that your address is served by FPL. Some Panhandle areas have different utility providers, so it is smart to verify service and program availability for your home.
Quick prep checklist
- Gather a recent electric bill or your FPL account number.
- Clear safe access to the thermostat, HVAC equipment, water heater, and attic.
- Note rooms that feel too warm or too cool and any recent appliance changes.
- Jot down your thermostat habits and typical occupancy pattern.
- Plan for about 30 to 60 minutes for an in-home visit, depending on home size.
What happens during the survey
The technician starts with a walkthrough of your main living areas. Expect a visual inspection of your outdoor condensing unit, air handler closet, thermostat location, attic access, doors and windows, and major appliances.
You may see quick diagnostic checks such as airflow observations, filter condition, signs of duct leakage, insulation coverage, and lighting types. If available through the program, the technician may install simple items like LED bulbs, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, or weather stripping. Availability can vary, so ask what is currently offered.
You’ll receive a written or digital summary that prioritizes no-cost steps, low-cost items, and larger projects. The report often includes estimated costs and next steps so you can plan upgrades over time.
Using Energy Manager to track savings
Your My FPL account includes Energy Manager, a set of tools that show your usage by hour and day. After your survey, use it to see when your home’s electricity use spikes. In many homes, usage jumps in late afternoon when indoor heat builds and people return home.
You can compare this week to last week, or this month to last year, and set alerts for unusual usage. If you shift laundry and dishwashing to cooler hours or adjust the thermostat a degree or two, you can confirm the results in your charts.
Common findings in Gulf Breeze homes
Every home is different, but local patterns show up again and again. Here are areas your technician may focus on:
- HVAC efficiency: Dirty filters, blocked returns, or a struggling condenser can raise bills. Smart thermostat settings and routine maintenance help.
- Attic insulation and air sealing: Gaps around recessed lights, ducts, or plumbing penetrations allow hot attic air to leak in. Proper insulation and sealing can stabilize temperatures.
- Ductwork losses: Leaky or poorly insulated ducts in a hot attic waste cooled air. Sealing and insulating ducts can make a noticeable difference.
- Water heating: Older electric water heaters or always-on recirculation can add steady load. Timers or efficient models reduce that base usage.
- Lighting and plug loads: Swapping to LEDs and using smart power strips cuts everyday waste.
- Behavior: Cooling an empty home, wide temperature swings, or constant override habits can add up quickly in summer.
Priority fixes you can tackle now
- Replace or clean air filters on schedule and keep returns unblocked.
- Set your thermostat to a higher setpoint when you are away and use a schedule.
- Seal obvious door and window gaps and add basic weather stripping.
- Switch remaining bulbs to LEDs and unplug rarely used devices.
- Run laundry and dishwashers in the morning or evening when possible.
Programs and next steps
The free survey is designed to surface the best opportunities in your home. For larger upgrades, ask about current rebates or financing, and whether load management programs are available. Some programs offer bill credits in exchange for cycling an A/C system during peak times. Availability can change, so confirm details with your technician.
After your visit, collect two to three contractor estimates for bigger projects like HVAC replacement, duct sealing, or attic insulation. Use Energy Manager to track your usage before and after each improvement so you can see which upgrades deliver the best value.
Privacy and what to expect
For an in-home survey, a technician will need access to equipment areas and, if safe, your attic. Always confirm identification and the purpose of the visit. Virtual surveys require a device with a camera and a stable connection.
Your usage data is tied to your My FPL account and is used to provide recommendations. Ask how your information is stored and how the survey report will be delivered. Many homeowners receive a summary the same day or within a few business days.
A simple 5-step action plan
- Create or log in to your My FPL account and confirm your service address.
- Schedule a Home Energy Survey, choosing in-home or virtual.
- Review Energy Manager to capture a baseline of hourly and daily usage.
- Complete the survey, then tackle the top two no-cost or low-cost fixes.
- Request contractor estimates for larger items and track results in Energy Manager.
Your local next move
If you are planning to buy or sell in Gulf Breeze, energy performance can affect comfort and long-term costs. Use the Home Energy Survey to get your home in great shape before listing or to evaluate a home you plan to purchase. Our team can also point you to trusted local pros for insulation, HVAC, and duct work so you can move forward with confidence.
Ready for practical next steps tailored to your home and your plans on the Emerald Coast? Connect with The Pat Williams Team to align energy upgrades with your real estate goals, then reach out to Unknown Company when you are ready to start the conversation.
FAQs
How much does FPL’s Home Energy Survey cost?
- The Home Energy Survey is typically offered at no charge to FPL residential customers, while recommended upgrades may require an investment. Confirm current details when you schedule.
What is the difference between in-home and virtual surveys?
- In-home surveys include a physical walkthrough and quick checks of equipment and insulation. Virtual surveys use video to guide you through the same areas when a home visit is not preferred or available.
How long does the survey take and when will I get results?
- Most visits take about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on home size and access. Many homeowners receive a written or digital summary the same day or within a few business days.
Do I need to change providers or plans to use Energy Manager?
- No. Energy Manager is part of your My FPL account and shows your hourly and daily usage, comparisons, and alerts so you can track changes after improvements.
I am new to Gulf Breeze. How do I know if FPL serves my address?
- Check your current bill or contact customer service to verify your utility provider and program eligibility. Service territories can vary across the Panhandle.
Can renters request a Home Energy Survey?
- If the FPL account is in your name, you can typically schedule a survey. For larger upgrades, coordinate with your property owner or manager before moving forward.
