Maximizing Tampa Bay Residents’ Energy Efficiency is Goal of New Home Energy Auditing Business

Pro Energy Consultant Franchise Owner Steven Belknap recently opened his home energy auditing business in Tampa. He says a home energy audit should always be the first step in making a home more energy efficient. Company's mission is to help homeowners save money, save energy and save the environment by going green and reducing their energy costs.

TAMPA, Fla. – April 5, 2010 –The top three home performance problems — comfort, excessive energy usage and poor indoor air quality issues — are best solved by a home energy audit, says professional home energy auditor Steven Belknap. Belknap, recently awarded a Pro Energy Consultants home energy auditing franchise, will serve homeowners in the Tampa Bay area.

“I’m well acquainted with the pleasures of living in Central Florida,” said Belknap, a resident of Tampa for 19 years. “Unlike those up north, we find ourselves more concerned with keeping our homes cool and crisp as opposed to warm and toasty.”

Pro Energy Consultants, the nation’s first home energy auditing franchise, acts as an unbiased, third party as it diagnoses home performance issues for homeowners. The company, backed by more than 10,000 energy audits, also offers homeowners a guarantee. If, at the end of the test, homeowners don’t feel they’ve received valuable information about their home, then the energy audit is free. To successfully diagnose home performance issues, the company’s energy auditors first undergo extensive training at its Cleveland headquarters, followed by eight weeks of distance training.

Belknap’s customers have found the energy audit beneficial.

“This evaluation brought to my attention several issues of which I was unaware,” said Corey Watson of Tampa, who’s worked in the energy efficiency and alternative energy industry since 2005. “I live in a 48-year-old home, and knew most of the issues at hand, but the quantification provided by the energy audit really opened my eyes as to the severity of this home’s inefficiency.”

“What impressed me most about my home energy audit was the ability to pinpoint precise locations of the weak areas,” said Tampa resident Wildflower O’Banion. “I’m amazed at how just addressing a few simple areas has dramatically improved the temperature control in my home.”

The energy audit starts with the homeowner explaining the specific home performance issues he or she has been experiencing. Next, an electronic blower door is installed in an exterior door. Once activated, the blower door allows Belknap to in essence take an “X-ray” of the home by using infrared thermal imaging to identify all the hidden building leakage areas. The entire process takes approximately one to three hours.

“The technology involved was impressive,” said Bradley Putt of Lutz.

“It really takes a comprehensive, diagnostic energy audit by a professional using sophisticated equipment to remove all the guesswork and pinpoint what’s causing excessive energy usage and major comfort complaints,” said Belknap. “It can also save homeowners from making unnecessary costly repairs, such as replacing a furnace or installing new windows.”

A detailed report with prioritized recommendations for maximizing the energy efficiency and comfort of the home is delivered to the homeowner within days of the energy audit.

“It’s great to have Steven as part of our team,” said Pro Energy Consultants Managing Partner Derek Sola. “Homeowners are looking for affordable solutions for solving their comfort issues and reducing energy usage.”

According to Sola, his company has experienced considerable growth since being founded in 2008. He attributes this to the nation’s increased focus on fiscal responsibility and energy conservation. For example, several states are beginning to subsidize and reward homeowners who make their homes more energy efficient. One state, Nevada, has passed legislation making energy audits mandatory in the near future. Many more states are considering similar legislation. In addition, many states will receive millions of dollars this year in stimulus grants for energy-efficient projects, including weatherization of homes.

For more information, residents in the Tampa Bay area can call (813) 545-9963 or 888-9PROENERGY (1-888-977-6363), or visit: http://www.proenergyconsultants.com

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About Pro Energy Consultants
Pro Energy Consultants’ proven system for conducting energy audits is backed by more than 15 years experience and more than 10,000 energy audits. The company’s mission is to provide customized, comprehensive and diagnostic energy audits designed to maximize the comfort and energy efficiency of homes and “light” commercial buildings while reducing energy costs. This mission not only sets the worldwide standard for energy audits but also established Pro Energy as the world’s leading expert on the subject. In October 2008 Pro Energy began awarding franchises — making it the first national franchise in energy auditing. Being the ideal “green franchise” opportunity, it has quickly grown to more than 50 franchises nationwide. The company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, call 888.9PROENERGY (1-888-977-6363) or visit

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