Heating and cooling your home can take up almost 50 percent of your annual energy bills. Many homeowners are looking for ways to keep these energy costs down while keeping the house comfortable. One way to do that is to convert your heating and cooling into a zoning system.
What Is a Zoning System?
A zoning system divides the home into different climate control systems. You have control over the temperature in each zone through a thermostat located within it. You can set up as many zones as needed.
For example, let’s say you’re heating and cooling a two-story home with a basement. You could set up each level as a separate zone. You could set up the bedroom level with a zone for the master bedroom and one for the secondary bedrooms. The choice is up to you, the size of your home and its layout.
Benefits of a Zone Control System
If you decide to separate your heating and cooling into zones, you’ll see certain advantages:
- Energy savings. You manage the temperatures in each zone, so you can reduce heating or cooling in zones when they’re not being used.
- Extended life of HVAC equipment. Because you’re not using the equipment to heat and cool the entire house year round, it’s not working as hard. That naturally extends its useful life.
- Maximized occupant comfort. Each person can control whatever zone he or she is in. So, if someone’s in the kitchen cooking, they may want the A/C to be set lower to counter the heat from the stove or oven. If someone’s sleeping in the bedroom, they may want to turn down the heat in that zone for a more comfortable sleep.
- Less noise. Many homeowners report their HVAC systems are quieter with the zoned system. The system is working less and not straining to push air throughout the house.
- Add value to your home. Being able to control temperatures throughout the house is a desirable feature for most home buyers. Not only do you get the benefit of enjoying the zoned system, you might recoup some of the cost if you decide to sell.
How Does a Zoning System Work?
In a zoned system, each zone has its own thermostat. Each of these thermostats connect to a central control panel. When a zone’s thermostat indicates it need more heat or cooling, it sends a signal to this central panel.
If the heating or cooling system isn’t already running, the central panel sends the signal to turn on and start moving air out through the ductwork. In a zoned system, these ducts have a series of dampers in key locations. The control panel opens and closes the dampers depending on which zones need the conditioned air.
Once a particular zone reaches the indicated temperature, it sends a signal back to the control panel. The panel then shuts off the dampers that feed air to that zone. If other zones still need conditioned air, the system continues to run. If no zone indicates a need, the central panel send a signal to shut the heating or cooling down.
What Else Do You Need to Know About a Zoning System?
Zones can not only be set up when installing a system into a brand new home but also retrofitted into an existing home. If you are upgrading or updating the heating or cooling in your home, that is an ideal time to add a zone system.
If you need more information on installing a zoning system in your home, contact James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. We’ve been proudly serving Wichita Falls and surrounding communities since 1957.
