Use Zoning to Increase Comfort and Savings

Posted: 2018-08-30

If you’re having trouble keeping a consistent level of comfort in all areas of your home as well as high utility bills, a zoned HVAC system might be the answer to your dilemma. This system allows you to have customized temperature settings in individual rooms.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is a licensed HVAC company in Vadnais Heights MN that offers zoning systems that fit every home and budget.

Overview

Having one thermostat to control the temperature of the whole house just won’t be enough, because you will have uneven air circulation that doesn’t just affect your energy costs, but more importantly, your family’s overall comfort.

Since not everyone in the family has the same comfort preferences (some would want a room that’s cooler or warmer than the rest of the house), you will need to divide your house into “zones” to satisfy everyone’s proclivities.

Zoning employs several thermostats that are connected to a control panel, which operates dampers within the ductwork of your HVAC system. The thermostats continuously read the temperature of their specified zone, then lock or unlock the dampers within the ductwork according to the need of each room for conditioned air. This system eliminates the problem of inconsistent cooling or heating by providing distinctive settings in every room. This also is a more efficient way to heat or cool your home since each zone has its own thermostat, it only sends conditioned air to the area where it is needed.

Who Would Benefit from a Zoned HVAC System?

While it can be challenging to maintain uniform temperatures throughout a home, due to several factors including solar orientation and room purposes, almost all homes can benefit from zoned systems. Here are some of the scenarios where a zoning would make sense:

  • Rarely used rooms such as libraries, guest rooms, and attics
  • Homes with multiple levels
  • A stretched out floor plan or layout
  • Rooms above a garage
  • Raised ceiling plates or vaults in specific areas
  • Homes with large windows
  • A family that has members with differing comfort levels

Since heat naturally rises, homes with upper-level rooms usually have warmer temperatures upstairs during summer and winter. Also, homes with large windows or high ceilings require more conditioning throughout the year because of their volume. Trying to keep consistent temperatures in these rooms can be difficult, to say the least. However, in a zoned HVAC system, it’s easy because each room’s thermostat sends a signal to a central control panel that activates the system on when it asks for heated or cooled air. The damper for that specific room opens, providing conditioned air.

How a Zoned System Affects Your Comfort and Savings

There are a number of factors that affect your home’s indoor temperature that includes high ceilings, shading, and appliances used (especially those that generate heat). Zoning is the answer to these issues by allowing the individual thermostats to react to the temperature demands of each room. If you have areas in your home that receive more sunshine year round are typically warmer. Zoning will make up for the heat gain without overheating or cooling the other areas of your home.

Since a home that has a zoned HVAC system doesn’t have to heat or cool the entire home when just one area needs it, it will consume less energy. To increase your savings, use programmable or smart thermostats that can increase your system’s overall efficiency.

A zoned system also helps prolong the life of your HVAC equipment. Your furnace or air conditioner no longer has to work as hard to suffice your comfort needs. Only specific areas that need heating or cooling will receive conditioned air. This reduces wear and tear on your equipment and as a result, extends its life.

Ask the Zoning Pros

For over 40 years, Four Seasons Air Specialists has been helping homeowners create a more comfortable, energy-efficient living environment, which includes setting up zoning systems. If you have more questions about zoning, give us a call. Our technicians have multiple years of experience and training that allows us to provide expert advice to homeowners needing assistance in terms of their home comfort. We are your trusted Vadnais Heights heating and air conditioning contractor that aims to provide you with the best HVAC solutions available.