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).

We all know how critical it is to continue learning — in business and in life.

That’s why ZONEFIRST is offering to pay for one HVAC Comfortech registration for your company, if you buy (10) zoning systems between now and September 20, 2010. (Details here.)

HVAC Comfortech can help you elevate the performance of your business with guidance and ideas from top-notch HVAC contractors and consultants.

Plus, explore new products and technologies at the Product Showcase — and network with people just like you, who want to take their business to the next level.

Hope to see you there!