Apparently, in a post-housing bubble world, home buyers are finished with oversized McMansions.

Instead, they want smaller, more energy-efficient homes to actually live in — for a good, long time. Homes that keep them comfortable, responsibly.

A recent NARI tweet led us to a New York Times article saying as much. Article author Allison Arieff says that in our new economic reality, the “decades-long pattern of people moving to new, bigger houses as they got new, higher-paying jobs is in retreat.” She points to the 2009 BUILDER Magazine/American Lives New Home Shopper Survey, which supports her assertions.

Although the survey says people do still want amenities, they also want energy-efficient heating and cooling. In addition:

Perhaps recognizing that they’ll be staying in their homes longer, buyers are starting to look for universal design, ranging from wheelchair-accessible bathrooms to single-story homes — options that will allow them to “age in place” — in other words, move into a home they can grow old in. They want accessory dwellings (a k a granny flats) to accommodate rising numbers [of] children moving home after college and aging parents needing care. So far, the market isn’t offering many of these, a lack one can chalk up somewhat to inertia but also to legitimate obstacles ranging from zoning and code restrictions to difficulties with financing.

Question is, even after the housing market has recovered sufficiently (see yesterday’s dismal announcement from the National Association of Realtors) — will they be able to find homes that meet the new criteria? And what does this mean for us in the home comfort industry?

Some observations:

• Because the market isn’t offering people what they need and want in a home, we know that remodeling and renovating will undoubtedly rise. (We reported on LIRA’s 2010 growth predictions earlier this summer.) As an HVAC contractor or distributor, are you prepared to partner with the top builders and remodelers in your area? Have they been educated on recent advances in HVAC? Do they know you can now offer zoned heating and cooling in retrofit applications? Try hosting a Remodelers’ Lunch & Learn at your local distributor, and bring in the big guns to educate builders on all the newest ways you can keep your customers comfortable — and happy.
  
• When it comes to opportunities for zoning — a feature that will win your customers over with the comfort, control and energy savings they experience — we also know that the earlier you talk with a homeowner who’s remodeling, the better. That way, you can plan for any necessary design modifications before the walls come down (or go up), and your customer gets the comfort he or she wants in every room of the house. How about a direct mail (or Google PPC) campaign, educating people on the importance of talking to your HVAC company before you begin designing your renovation?
• With new home additions and renovations — including basements, “granny flats” and “mother-in-law suites” — we have a unique opportunity to sell comfort and energy savings. Don’t let the builder sell them on a separate furnace and A/C when you know very well that a retrofit zone system will serve everyone’s individual comfort needs AND save them money!
• Don’t forget about IAQ. Nothing takes the “shine” off a beautiful remodel like an unhappy, uncomfortable homeowner. Zoning is about more than individual temperature control — it’s about delivering ventilation, humidification, de-humidification, air filtration and purification… all of which contribute to the perception of comfort and help save energy. Be ready to educate your customers on the importance of IAQ — ask them questions about their comfort to get the conversation rolling.
• And finally, on the heels of yesterday’s dismal housing news, why aren’t we partnering with realtors to encourage desperate home sellers to upgrade their HVAC systems? If home buyers want energy efficiency, let’s give it to them. And if they can be efficient AND comfortable in every room of their home (a la ZONING), all the better.

What else can we do to ensure that new, remodeled and for-sale homes are actually comfortable and energy-efficient? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

When summer heat is at its stickiest, homeowners punch the “down” arrow on the thermostat, hoping to cool off the stuffy upstairs bedrooms. Then, with utility bills soaring, they shiver under blankets on the lower levels of the house.

Is it really possible to be comfortable in every room of your home – without breaking the bank?

You bet, say the experts at ZONEFIRST, Inc., a leading manufacturer of HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) zoning products.

When it comes to solving the age-old indoor comfort problem of “hot and cold spots,” energy savings guides recommend closing off unused rooms, to encourage more airflow to the rooms that need it most. And this works – but only to a point. And it could damage your air conditioning system.

“It’s important to maintain enough airflow through the system,” says Richard Foster, president of ZONEFIRST. “Simply shutting off room outlets – without having enough places for the air to go – is a recipe for potential disaster with your A/C unit.”

Zoning helps you stay comfortable while avoiding expensive air conditioner repairs, says Foster – such as a frozen coil or a failed compressor.

What’s more, zoning your heating and cooling system gets you more than comfortable – it saves you money.

By definition, HVAC zoning systems let you direct heated or cooled air only to the rooms that need it – so instead of cooling the entire house, you cool only the rooms you’re currently using. Studies have shown that shutting off those unused rooms with a zone damper system can save up to 25% on a home’s utility bills, says Foster. “Putting the cooling (or heating) where it’s needed, when it’s needed, increases comfort and saves energy.”

For a ZONEFIRST contractor near you, email info@zonefirst.com or call 1.877.604.1044 (U.S. only). For more information on zoning, visit the company’s website: www.zonefirst.com.

One of the most common homeowner complaints we hear in the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) industry is related to “temperature stratification.” In summer, you have a hot, stuffy second floor while the basement rec room feels like a meat locker. Or, in winter, you have that one bedroom that just can’t get warm enough.

Zoning is the answer to your indoor comfort woes — and better yet, it saves you energy and money.

So what IS zoning?

In a nutshell, zoning lets you direct heated or cooled air only to the rooms that need it. Thermostats sense the temperature in each zone, and they tell your HVAC system how much heated/cooled air is needed. A signal is then sent to special motorized dampers in your ductwork (or right in your outlet vents) — which open and close as necessary to direct the air where it’s needed, and “satisfy” the thermostats’ request for a change in temperature.

While zoning isn’t a new concept, homeowners are beginning to hear more about it — especially for existing homes. This is partly due to recent advances in wireless technology — with wireless thermostats, there’s no more threading thermostat wire through your walls (which can be extremely time-consuming and expensive).

Plus, even with a finished basement and no access to your ductwork, you can still zone your home — outlet zone dampers are installed right in your air vents.

Could this be the summer you finally feel comfortable in EVERY room of your home?

For more information on zoning, view our video. Or, for a ZONEFIRST contractor near you, email info@zonefirst.com or call 1.877.604.1044 (U.S. only).