After doing an "Energy Audit" of my home, the sales rep for CM Builders of the Gulf Coast, Inc., a Mr. James Minsky, started throwing out numbers like a bingo announcer in heat. He was tossing around square feet, cost per unit, twenty-watt fans vs thir-watt fans, financing plans ("no payments for 17 months"), government rebates, tax incentives, state rebates, electric company rewards, etc.
All of this ended up to be an investment of $174 a month for 36 months to cut our energy cost by "...at least $175 a month forever." The package included a new solar powered attic vent fan, thermal barriers, new insulation, mastic on the ducts, a new window, hurricane film on all the windows, etc. and would qualify us for thousands in refunds and rebates which we could apply to the home loan he would arrange through GE Capital with whom I'd done lots of business.
He made the call from my kitchen table and I was immediately approved for more than enough. I signed the order and he quickly scooped up all his paperwork and scribbles and left. It was only then that my brain kicked in. $174 for 36 months is only a little over $6K. I called GE Capital and was informed that my payment would be $405 a month for 36 months.
I also noticed that there was no per unit cost for all the stuff I'd "purchased," just totals so I had no good way to compare prices or even judge whether or not I was being overcharged.
I decided to do a background check on the people involved here and it turns out that one is reportedly in financial hot water with foreclosures and the other was allegedly involved on some sort of stock scam back in the 90's. Be that as it may, these are not the sort of people with whom I wish to do business.
So, beware, if a door knocker from Florida Energy Management, Guardian Solar or CM Builders of the Gulf Coast, Inc. asks if you'd like to make an appointment for a "free Energy Audit," politely dismiss him. You'll be glad you did.