And now for the rest of our 15 favorite energy-saving tips for summer:

9. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer, and watch your electric bills shrink. For example, running the A/C at 78°F instead of 72°F can save 6%-18%. Think of it this way: the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the less work your air conditioner has to perform.

10. Keep your window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar heat gain.

11. Plant trees or shrubs to shade your home. Properly placed trees around the house — especially on the south- and west-facing sides — can save between $100 and $250 annually.

12. Skip the oven at meal time. Instead, use the microwave, toaster or a counter-top grill, all of which use less energy than a full-sized oven, when you need to prepare small portions of food. Plus, your A/C won’t have to work so hard to cool off an overheated kitchen.

13. Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use, and use power strips so you can turn everything off at once. Leaving a computer on all day can cost about 21 cents per day, or about $75 per year.

14. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Lighting makes up about 10% of home energy costs, and CFLs can save up to 75% of that energy. They also last longer, saving money on replacements.

And of course, #15, the energy-savings kicker: CONSIDER ZONING! By directing cooled air only where you need it, zoning not only saves up to 25% on your utility bills — it helps you feel comfortable in EVERY room of your home. (Even that stuffy, hot second floor.)

Email info@zonefirst.com for a ZONEFIRST contractor near you.

You’ve likely seen plenty of energy-saving, stay-cool tips in the media this summer — the good news is that it’s not too late to use them.

We’ve compiled our 15 favorites, below. Try them on for size — your family (and your wallet) will thank you!

1. Just like punching the elevator button over and over won’t bring it any faster, so it goes with your thermostat. Resist the urge to press that down arrow a few extra times when you turn on your A/C. Setting the desired temperature to an extra-cold level will NOT cool your home any faster — and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
2. If you’re planning to take advantage of the federal tax credit with new, energy-efficient windows — choose a model with double glazing and spectrally selective coatings that reduce heat gain.
3. To save up to 50% on your utility bill for cooling, think about replacing your air conditioner with a new, energy-efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels.
4. Even if you have a relatively new air conditioner, its energy efficiency naturally decreases over time — unless you properly maintain it. Change or clean filters regularly, and have your air conditioner unit serviced annually.
5. Always use a bathroom fan when showering or bathing. Be sure fan is vented to the outside to remove heat and humidity from your home.
6. During the summer, attic temperatures can get up to 140°F — making it difficult to cool a home’s upper levels. Upgrade your attic insulation to prevent heat from infiltrating your air conditioned space. In addition, a radiant barrier installed under the roof deck and/or a continuous ridge and soffit vent can effectively lower attic temperatures.
7. Seal air leaks around windows and doors with weatherstripping and caulk. This helps to keep cool air inside, and prevents hot air from entering your home.
8. Avoid placing lights, TVs or other appliances near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these objects, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

Watch for tips # 9-15 in our next post… and enjoy the rest of your summer!

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!