Many struggle to find a balance between a comfortable home and low energy bills. Maybe some people in your home want a cooler temperature that leaves others shivering. Or you might have particular areas of your home that are warmer or cooler than others. Investing in a zoned HVAC system can help you achieve a balance that lets everyone have their preferred temperature while you save money. Here is some information about zoned HVAC systems and how they can help you increase your home’s comfort while also lowering your energy bills.
How Does a Zoned System Work?
A zoned central HVAC system has temperature sensors installed in different areas of the home. Some systems have individual thermostats in each zone, while others connect to a central control panel or smart thermostat. Either way, the thermostat controls dampers installed in the ductwork. These mechanical devices open and shut depending on whether you want the conditioned air to flow to that zone. Depending on the type of equipment, zoned central systems usually have between two and four zones.
You can also consider a mini-split system for new construction or homes without ductwork. In this type of system, a single outdoor unit can connect with up to eight indoor air handlers. Each indoor unit works independently with its own thermostat to deliver warm or cool air, so by nature, they are zoned systems. This type of system is also great if you want to bring climate control to a detached building like a workshop. It can also bring heating and cooling to home extensions or converted garages, basements, and attics.
Situations That Can Benefit From a Zoned System
Almost any home can benefit from a zoned HVAC system. There are many reasons why some parts of your home are warmer or cooler than others. A zoned system can help balance those temperatures. Other times, you may want specific areas to be warmer or colder than others. A zoned system can do that, too.
Here are some specific situations that particularly benefit from a zoned HVAC system:
- Multi-level homes
- Homes with sunrooms or large windows
- Family members who desire different temperatures
- Homes with guest rooms or unused areas
Benefits of a Zoned System
Before zoned systems, if you wanted different parts of your home at different temperatures, you would have to install two or more completely separate systems. That means additional outdoor units, dramatically increasing installation costs. It also means twice as much maintenance. Besides lowering initial expenses and simplifying the system, here are more benefits of a zoned system and how this type of system achieves them.
Household Members Can Set Their Own Temperature
It’s not uncommon for family members to disagree over the thermostat. Some want the heater at 76 degrees, while others are perfectly comfortable when it’s 65 degrees. With a zoned system, everyone can be happy. You can set up your system so each bedroom is a different zone. If you have an area that you want cooler, like an exercise room or workshop, you can do that while the rest of the home stays at a more moderate temperature.
Establish a More Uniform Temperature Throughout Your Home
Some areas of your home may naturally be warmer or cooler than others. Sunrooms and areas with large windows will naturally be warmer during the day. Areas near heat-producing appliances, like near the laundry room, may also be warmer than other parts of the house. This temperature difference can sometimes make rooms uninhabitable, especially in southern states like Georgia. If you set the temperature low enough for these areas to be comfortable, you’ll probably see huge energy bills, and the rest of the home will be way too cold.
Depending on the layout of your home and ductwork, some areas may not receive as much conditioned air as others. This leads to hot and cold spots throughout the house. This can be true if you have had significant renovations since the system was first installed, as well as in large, sprawling homes.
Multi-level homes can also benefit from a zoned system. Because heat rises, some stories will be warmer than others. You can choose to set a zone for each story. This will help achieve a more uniform temperature throughout your home. Having a zoned system with a programmable or smart thermostat can be especially beneficial if all the bedrooms are on the same floor.
Lower Energy Bills
A significant benefit of a zoned system is that it can reduce energy use, which lowers monthly bills and helps you reduce your carbon footprint. When coupled with a programable or smart thermostat, your savings increase.
Without a zoned system, you’re wasting money conditioning areas of the home that are not used. With a programmable thermostat, you can regulate which areas are warmed or cooled based on the time of day and day of the week. This is especially beneficial if you have a home office that is only occupied for set hours during the day. You can also adjust the temperatures of the bedroom and other areas of the house based on when people are sleeping.
Reduce Wear on Your HVAC System
The less square footage your HVAC system has to condition, the less wear and tear it will receive. When combined with regular maintenance, a zoned system can greatly reduce the risk of a breakdown. It can also increase the longevity of your system.
Add a Smart Thermostat
All of these benefits are increased when you add a smart thermostat to the system. Smart thermostats have advantages beyond programmability. Because they can be connected to your Wi-Fi, you can control your climate control system from anywhere with an internet connection. This is helpful if plans change and household members will be home early or later than expected.
Some smart thermostats can also be connected to weather forecasts. Based on outside temperatures, it will take longer or shorter to bring the home to the desired temperature. A smart system can calculate these times so it can bring your home to the desired temperature using the least amount of energy.
Geofencing is another feature offered with some smart thermostats. With this option enabled, the system can automatically adjust temperatures based on when you arrive home or leave. This can save a lot of programming hassle, especially if your schedule frequently changes.
Trust the Experts
Precision Heating & Air in Dallas, GA, is a family-owned and -operated company. We’ve been in business since 1985, and our experience in the industry goes back even further. We hire factory-trained, NATE-certified technicians. We can handle all of your heating and cooling needs, and you can save money and receive other benefits when you sign up for our maintenance plan. We offer financing on approved credit for installations. You can also rely on us for indoor air quality and duct cleaning services, and we can install traditional or tankless water heaters. We’re available 24/7 for emergency repairs.
Call Precision Heating & Air when you’re ready to increase comfort and lower your bills with a zoned HVAC system.
