If you’re concerned about high energy costs or tired of dealing with insufficient heating or cooling in some parts of your home, upgrading to a zoned HVAC system is the perfect solution. Zoned systems provide more precise, customized comfort control while also lowering energy bills. This article will explain all you need to know about HVAC zoning and why upgrading your home with a zoned system is one of the best investments you can make.
Standard HVAC systems always supply the same amount of heating and cooling to the entire house. A zoned system splits the house up, allowing you to heat and cool each area individually. Each zone has a thermostat, which allows the system to know which zones it currently needs to heat or cool. You can also turn the thermostat in any zone up or down without impacting the other zones. A zoned system only supplies air to each zone as needed. As soon as a zone reaches the correct temperature, the system will block off the airflow to ensure the zone doesn’t get too cold or too hot. The system will only shut off when every zone is at the correct temperature.
Standard HVAC systems often struggle to keep every part of a home at the same temperature. The thermostat only registers the temperature of the surrounding area. Different parts of a house can also have different heating or cooling requirements, resulting in the system providing more air to some areas and not enough to others. By splitting the house up, a zoned HVAC system provides precise temperature control in each zone.
When designing a zoned system, it’s important to consider the different heating or cooling requirements for every part of the home. For instance, a basement typically stays cooler than the main floor. You can avoid this by creating a separate zone for each level. Bedrooms often don’t get much use during the day. If you create a separate zone for the bedroom area, you can avoid your HVAC system from heating/cooling the bedrooms more than necessary.
A zoned system has automatic metal dampers at different points in the ductwork that open to allow air to a zone or close to block off the airflow. When one of the thermostats signals that the zone it controls needs to be heated or cooled, the system will automatically open the damper for that zone to allow air to start flowing. The damper will then immediately close once the zone reaches the correct temperature.
Zoned systems typically require smart thermostats as well. Smart thermostats allow the system to more accurately monitor and precisely control the temperature in each zone.
Zoned systems also require two-stage or variable-speed HVAC units. Single-stage units aren’t suitable, as they always run at full capacity. Whenever not all of the zones are open, a single-stage unit will produce much more heating/cooling than necessary. Not only does this lead to energy being wasted, but it also creates the potential for the system to overheat or experience other issues that can cause it to break down or fail prematurely. Two-stage units can switch to a lower speed if only half the house currently needs to be heated or cooled. Variable-speed units have numerous settings, allowing you to have additional zones without encountering any issues.
HVAC zoning provides major benefits in terms of enhancing home comfort and lowering your heating and cooling costs. With a zoned system, you’ll be able to enjoy more consistent temperatures, lower energy bills and quieter operation. Zoned systems also have to do less work and mostly run at lower speeds, resulting in them usually lasting longer and requiring fewer repairs.
A zoned HVAC system makes it easy to avoid hot and cold spots and ensure that each zone always stays at your desired temperature. If part of your home tends to be colder or warmer than the rest of the house, creating a separate zone for that area will eliminate the issue. Most people sleep more comfortably in a cooler environment. During the winter, this means having to choose between opening windows in the bedroom and wasting energy or turning the thermostat down and risking the rest of the house getting too cold. By having the bedroom area on a separate zone, you can keep that area cooler without impacting the temperature in the other parts of the house.
Another major benefit of HVAC zoning is that it reduces energy waste and improves overall efficiency. A zoned system will rarely need to operate at full capacity and will use far less energy whenever running at a lower speed. Turning the temperature in an unoccupied zone up slightly during the summer or down during the winter helps lessen the system’s workload and conserves energy.
If you’re considering upgrading to a zoned HVAC system for your home, Koch & White is the company to trust. We have more than 90 years of experience providing expert heating and cooling services in Ann Arbor and throughout Washtenaw County. Our NATE-certified technicians will work alongside you to evaluate your home, listen to your concerns and come up with the best solution to meet your specific comfort needs. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we offer industry-leading warranties and some of the best, most-efficient air conditioners, heat pumps and furnaces money can buy. We’ve been recognized with the Carrier President’s Award for seven years in a row, which stands as testament to the quality workmanship, service and support we provide.
During the initial consultation, we’ll evaluate your existing HVAC system to determine what type of upgrades may be necessary to convert to a zoned system. The in-home evaluation also helps us determine how best to split up the house to ensure you can take full advantage of all of the benefits that HVAC zoning provides. We understand that HVAC upgrades come at a high cost and can put a major strain on your finances. To help alleviate this burden, we’ve partnered with reputable lenders to offer flexible financing options for new installations on approved credit.
Ready to make the upgrade and enjoy the superior efficiency and improved comfort of a zoned HVAC system? Contact the zoning experts at Koch & White today for expert advice, assistance and support.
Are you unsure whether a zoning system is right for your home or actually worth the investment? Our experienced, knowledgeable team can answer any questions you may have and put all of your concerns to rest.
