Sealed or unsealed: when a Florida energy calc needs a PE.
For single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses, Florida's energy code says no license or registration is required to prepare the compliance form. A seal comes in when statute or the building official requires construction documents by a registered design professional, or when your project or client asks for one. Multifamily buildings follow different rules.
- Code basis
- FBC Energy Conservation, 8th Ed. (2023)9th Ed. (2026) scheduled for Dec 31, 2026 · what changes1
- In this guide
- 3 sections + at a glanceWhat the code says · When a seal enters the picture · How our sealed tier works
- Reviewed by
- Designda Inc.Florida engineering firm license PE 39202 · verify
- Price
- $195 · $445 · $595Energy calc from · full package · sealed. Same in all 67 counties · price list
- Ready by
- 2–3 business daysExpedited: within 24 business hours, +$150. Clock starts when complete plans pass intake (3:00 PM ET cutoff) · how it works
- Evidence
- 5 primary sourcesCode sections and county checklists, numbered · references
What the code says
Section R103.1.1.1.1 is short: no license or registration is required to prepare the code compliance form for single-family residential dwellings, duplexes and townhouses.1 Multiple-family buildings are different; their compliance procedures follow sections 481.229 and 471.003 of the Florida Statutes, with an exception allowing certified commercial building energy raters for HVAC systems of 15 tons or less per system.1
Keep reading1 more paragraph
The building's owner, the owner's architect or another authorized agent certifies compliance before the permit is issued.1 That certification is a signature, not a seal. Counties layer their own signature rules on top: Charlotte wants the energy forms signed by the preparer and by the owner or agent, and Port St. Lucie wants the front and display pages signed.23
When a seal enters the picture
Construction documents must be prepared by a registered design professional where the…
Construction documents must be prepared by a registered design professional where the jurisdiction's statutes require it, and the code official may require it where special conditions exist.1 Counties also seal-gate the plan set itself: Manatee wants construction plans sealed by a registered Florida design professional, and Pasco requires sealed plans when repairs may affect structural stability.45 Neither of those rules, as written, applies to the energy form.
In our experience, builders choose sealed calcs for reasons beyond the code: a lender or client asks for it, a design team wants an engineer accountable for the loads, or a jurisdiction's reviewer has asked for it on a complex house. Ask the building department if you're unsure; we won't guess on its behalf.
How our sealed tier works
Our sealed package is $595 and covers the same energy calc and Manual J, S and D as the…
Our sealed package is $595 and covers the same energy calc and Manual J, S and D as the $445 full package. Sealed calcs are signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed PE of Designda Inc. (dba Pineland Engineering). Delivery is the same 2–3 business days from a complete intake.
At a glance
3 rows · Who may prepare the energy compliance form vs Source
| Project | Who may prepare the energy compliance form | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family, duplex, townhouse | No license or registration required | FBC-EC R103.1.1.1.1 |
| Multifamily | Per F.S. 481.229 or 471.003; certified commercial raters for ≤ 15-ton systems | FBC-EC R103.1.1.1.2 |
| Any project, special conditions | Registered design professional, if the code official requires | FBC-EC R103.1 |
Questions
3 answers · Does a Florida energy calc for a new house need a PE seal?
Does a Florida energy calc for a new house need a PE seal?
Not under the energy code itself: for single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses, no license or registration is required to prepare the compliance form. A building official can require documents by a registered design professional under special conditions, and some clients ask for a seal, so confirm before you order.
Who signs the energy compliance form in Florida?
The code has the owner, the owner's architect or another legally designated agent certify that the building complies before the permit is issued, and counties add their own signature rules: Charlotte wants the preparer and the owner or agent; Port St. Lucie wants signatures on the front and display pages.
What's the difference between your $445 and $595 packages?
The calculations are the same: energy calc plus Manual J, S and D. The $595 sealed package adds signing and sealing by a Florida-licensed PE of Designda Inc. The $445 package is signed as preparer. Both carry free revisions for plan-review comments on the same design.
County requirements and related guides
Sources
5 primary references · numbered to match the citations
- 012023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation (8th Ed.), Chapter 1 [RE]: R101.5, R103 compliance forms and certificationup.codes
- 02Charlotte County, Residential Single Family permit pagecharlottecountyfl.gov
- 03City of Port St. Lucie Building Department, Checklist for Single-Family Residence Permits (PDF, updated 9-29-25)cityofpsl.com
- 04Manatee County, One & Two Family Submittal Checklist, FBC 8th Ed. (PDF)mymanatee.org
- 05Pasco County, Permit Submittal Requirements: Residential New (PDF)cms1files.revize.com