Don't let savings leak away
You might not even notice, but air and heat can needlessly escape your home through holes, leaks, and improper sealing. It adds up to wasted energy and a higher power bill.
Your home's heating and cooling system rely on a well-constructed and insulated envelope and duct system to keep it working efficiently. We offer advice — and an incentive — to help you keep your home comfortable year-round.
Ceiling Insulation
Adding insulation increases energy efficiency
Adding insulation to your home can reduce heating and cooling costs. Installing additional insulation:
- Keeps unwanted heat out during summer and helps keep heat in during winter
- Reduces the workload of your heating and cooling system
- Can result in additional savings on your electricity bill
Don’t know what type of insulation you have? Don’t worry, our Energy Experts an help when you schedule a free Home Energy Survey.
Ceiling Insulation Incentive Program
Save $300 on ceiling insulation
Ceiling insulation in your envelope spaces (such as attics and walls) and around your duct system protects your indoor comfort and keeps the outdoors out; which can help you save money on your energy bill year after year. Check the requirements below to see if you qualify for the incentive.
What are the incentive qualifications?
- Your home’s insulation must have a pre-verified current R-value of less than R-19 to receive an incentive. Date-stamped photo documentation showing the before and after R-value levels must be submitted to Gulf Power.
- Provide access to all attic spaces for Gulf Power Company or a Gulf Power Company Participating Independent Contractor (PIC) to determine incentive eligibility.
What is a PIC?
A participating independent contractor (PIC)* is an independent business you can hire to install your new ceiling insulation. These businesses have agreed to comply with Gulf Power Company’s program standards but are not employed by Gulf Power Company.
How do I redeem my instant incentive?
- Search for a PIC in your area by clicking the the “Find a Contractor” button above, and contact a contractor of your choice.
- Once you’ve chosen the PIC that is right for you, they will come and install insulation.
- Your $300 instant incentive will appear automatically as a credit on the invoice your PIC provides.
- Should you choose to install the insulation yourself (not using any professional insulation installer) — you will need to provide the date-stamped photo documentation showing the ‘before and after’ R-value levels and contact us to request the incentive. This option does not provide an instant incentive.
Ducts
Benefits of properly installed duct systems
The control and distribution of heated and cooled air in your home is carried out by the duct system. A properly installed duct system helps you live comfortably while using energy efficiently.
Locating ductwork during construction in conditioned versus unconditioned areas of the home can result in savings of more than 20% in heating and cooling costs. If you're installing a duct system in your home, it should be designed by an accredited professional using industry-recognized procedures. We'll be glad to double-check for you.
Repairing duct leaks in existing homes can result in heating and cooling savings of as much as 30%. That's a big savings for a problem that's inexpensive to locate and repair.
Building Envelope
Tighten your home's envelope
Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in a home's "thermal envelope" and HVAC ducts greatly improve comfort and indoor air quality. A tightly sealed system keeps warm and cool air in the home while keeping allergens, moisture and pests out.
You can have your home inspected to determine if you would benefit from an envelope retrofit, but it is best to build an energy efficient home from the start.
Additional resources
How to Install Batt Insulation
Duct System Installation Design
We recommend the following insulation specifications to ensure high efficiency and low operating costs:
- Use at least R-6 duct wrap on all ducts. If construction design permits, install ducts inside the conditioned area.
- Seal all joints with duct mastic, duct mastic tape or the equivalent.
- Install R-30 to R-38 attic insulation on as much of the system as possible.
- Select mechanical equipment with a minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 14.0.
- Insulate heater closet and caulk all seams to avoid drawing air in from the attic or unconditioned areas.
Duct System Upgrade Recommendations
Look for ductwork leaks in the air-handling unit and between the following components:
- Individual sections of ductwork
- Ductwork and boots
- Registers
- Ductwork and plenums
- Ductwork and return-air chamber
- Air-handling unit and plenums
- Support platform and return-air chamber
We recommend the following insulation specifications if you are upgrading your duct system:
- Install a minimum of R-6 duct wrap to uninsulated ducts and tape all joints.
- Mastic or seal all joints between ducts, supply plenum and heat pump and insulate against heat transfer.
- Seal heater closet paying special attention to pipes and wires that pass through walls.
- Seal off heater closet from the attic so the system can't draw unconditioned air from that area.
- Upgrade attic insulation to R-38 and cover as much of the duct system as possible.
*The list of participating independent contractors (PICs) is a compilation of businesses that have agreed to comply with Gulf Power Company's Program Standards, and is not a recommendation by Gulf Power Company of a particular independent contractor. The decision to select, hire and the management of the participating independent contractor is the sole responsibility of the Gulf Power Company customer. THE PIC IS NOT AN AGENT OF, OR JOINT VENTURER WITH, AND IS NOT EMPLOYED BY, AND DOES NOT WORK FOR, GULF POWER COMPANY; AS SUCH, THE PICS ARE NOT UNDER THE CONTROL OR SUPERVISION OF GULF POWER COMPANY BUT RATHER ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. GULF POWER COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY, GUARANTEE, OR PROMISE, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY SAVINGS TO BE ACHIEVED, THE SUITABILITY OR QUALITY OF MATERIALS TO BE INSTALLED BY, OR THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE PARTICIPATING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SELECTED AND HIRED BY THE GULF POWER COMPANY CUSTOMER.