FPU Blog

Here in Florida our highest energy cost is air conditioning our homes. Central air conditioning systems are highly complex with many various parts. In most situations you have the unit outside the home which is the compressor and cooling fan. Somewhere inside the home, often in the garage or attic is the second part referred to as the air handler. Within this unit is an inverted V shaped piping system known as the cooling coils. There also is a fan and blower motor inside this unit.

 

Topics: Energy Conservation, Energy Efficiency, summer, How To's, air conditioning

You can see a one minute video discussing the cost of pool pump operation from Florida Public Utilities Facebook page at the end of this article. This article will give you the tools to figure out the cost of your pool pumps operation. Many pools in Florida have two pumps, one to filter and one to power the vacuum. So, both pumps must be calculated to get your monthly cost.

Topics: Energy Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Pool Heaters, How To's

In the world of residential energy use there are two primary methods to reduce your utility costs. The first is energy efficient equipment. Upgrading air conditioning units, water heaters and lighting can save you valuable money. Other upgrades worth considering are added insulation, duct sealing and possibly in some cases new windows or adding a Low E window film to the south and west facing windows.

Topics: Energy Conservation

I have the privilege of helping our customers solve the riddles when they feel their utility costs are too high. It is often a challenge to really get to the bottom of a high bill, especially when on first look there is nothing out of the ordinary. I will tell you about three common areas that will cause your utility bills to rise. In each case, you will have some options to counter the impact with a conservation tip.

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Natural Gas, Energy Efficiency, natural gas appliances

 

I recently investigated a high natural gas bill at a large condominium association in South Florida. There are two major lessons I have learned over the years concerning pool heaters in the summertime. This will be a short but helpful article.

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Natural Gas, Energy Efficiency, Commercial, natural gas appliances, Pool Heaters, summer

 

You may have received an advertisement like this or similar. There are others who use our state government rather than the federal government to hide behind. There is no U.S. Solar Department that is related to the government. Some companies’ use these practices to give their business a look of being connected to the government hoping to earn credibility. This particular ad may be a total energy/utility scam. Some like this are fronts for a real business that uses questionable marketing practices.

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Natural Gas, Energy Efficiency

Well folks, it’s that time of year again! Temperature’s rising, kids are out of school and electric meters are spinning like a crazy. For most Floridians, this is the costliest time of year. So, let’s discover 8 major ways you can save money on your monthly utility bill and still have a fun summer with the familiy!

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Energy Efficiency, electric

I regularly get to observe the consequences when consumers fail to become energy skeptics. The sad reality is what many peddle as “Going Green,” only results in green going from your pocket to theirs. So, I offer you these five suggestions on how you can become savvier in your energy upgrades!

 

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Natural Gas, Energy Efficiency

Natural gas comes out of the ground through drilling. It is odorless and tasteless in its natural form. Natural gas is flammable when mixed with just the right quantity of air and when there is a means of ignition. Natural gas travels by pipeline from the well head, through processing and finally to our homes and businesses.

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Natural Gas, Energy Efficiency

When I think about the holiday season, my mind goes to smells of fresh baked cookies, and the delight of watching the flames dance in the fireplace in a nice warm home. It actually is nice to have a little cold weather in late December, especially for all of us who moved here from the northern climates.

Here are three great ways to maximize natural gas in your home for the holidays:

Topics: Energy Conservation, Residential, Natural Gas, Energy Efficiency