Can we lower utility costs with energy efficient fixes?

Not only does that reduce energy costs, maintenance is also drastically reduced.

I feel like I'm stuck because I don't have the energy to focus on investing after 12 hours days.

A "good Samaritan" maintenance person may have done it to reduce energy consumption and didn't realize the tenants would be so severely affected.

VA loans don't typically include cash-out for remodels, but I believe there are some niche exceptions such as energy efficient upgrades.

You could always spend a little more energy, and email the bank asking them to add more rows for you.

OR Hire a really experienced Realtor that specializes in Investment Real Estate that has gained valuable contacts over the years that could provide you with access to their resources for free OR Work directly with a Real Estate Investing company with decades of experience that can provide you with access to their contacts for free2) Finding a deal: Here's a few ways to go about that - You or your agent can search the MLS and crunch numbers on property advertised on the retail market and hope to find a deal that all of the other real estate investors in Texas may have missed OR You can attend auctions and try to outbid all the other seasoned investors there only to realize if you win then that means you paid too much OR Have random wholesalers send you the one off deals they get under contract OR spend the time, money, and energy in trying to become a wholesaler yourself OR Work directly with a Real Estate Investing company that can send you the largest source of deeply discounted property sent directly to your inbox in the form of a daily spreadsheet.3) Estimating Rehab, Holding and other Costs: Read FLIP by Rick Villani and Clay Davis and The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs by J Scott.

Here's the link for ReVision Energy's solar hot water. 

My personal feeling is that it's a lot of risk, and you should focus all of your energy on your core business, not real estate.

You obviously will get better deals with fixer uppers but expect to put in some sweat equity whereas turn key will generally save you time + energy.