ANAHEIM, Calif. - With much of the nation experiencing a colder-than-normal winter, some homeowners have struggled to keep their homes warm and comfortable as heating bills have soared. Keeping homes safe and cool for a reasonable cost is a concern in summer - a problem that can be exacerbated by failures in the electric power grid, such as the blackout that affected several states in 2003.

Saving energy has become more important than ever, according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Communities across the nation are starting to adopt energy-efficient building codes. What do HVAC contractors and the public need to know?