The Benefits of Zoned Heating and Cooling for Your Home

It’s a constant battle between you and your thermostat. You move to a room, and you’re cold; up goes the thermostat. You move to another room, and you’re hot; you drop the temperature a few degrees. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have zoned heating and cooling in your home instead of your current on/off HVAC system?

You can!

What is zoned heating and cooling? 

With traditional HVAC systems, every room in your home receives the same amount of heating and cooling. It turns on and off, sending one airstream out through each vent. 

With a zoned system, heating and cooling are adjusted based on preferences.

Traditionally, a home or building would have a single thermostat that controls the temperature for the entire space. With zoned heating and cooling, you create zones based on the conditions of your home. Multiple thermostats are installed to regulate the temperature in each individual zone or area, which can be set to different temperatures or turned off entirely when not in use. This allows energy savings and increased comfort for the building’s occupants.

How do HVAC zoned systems work?

Zoned HVAC systems divide a house or building into separate zones, each with its own thermostat and heating/cooling equipment. 

An HVAC technician will install dampers, thermostats, and a control panel to regulate the airflow and temperature in each zone. That gives you the ability to choose how to heat or cool each room. As a result, you’ll be more comfortable in every room, save on your monthly utility bills, and have a more efficient HVAC system that doesn’t work as hard to reach your desired temperatures. 

How do you determine how many zones?

The thought of creating zones in your home can be exciting, especially when you envision comfort in every room. No more hot or cold spots!

This is when it’s time to evaluate how many zones your home will need. 

Start by considering the size. Larger spaces will typically require more zones. Of course, you’ll also have to consider how the home is constructed. Do you have a basement and a third floor? Do you have north-facing and south-facing rooms? This is where an HVAC technician thoroughly audits and digs deep into your lifestyle to determine the various zones. 

It’s also about comfort. Kitchens or a sunroom may require their own zones to maintain comfortable temperatures. Basements will need to be heated and cooled separately from the second floors. Do you have a bedroom that is always several degrees hotter or colder than other rooms? Are some rooms frequently empty? An HVAC technician can account for that. 

You’ll also have to consider the capacity and type of HVAC equipment being used. Some equipment may be better suited for smaller or larger areas, or may have limitations on the number of zones it can serve.

What’s your next step if a zoned HVAC system is in your future? Give us a call.  One of our qualified HVAC technicians can assess the building and recommend the optimal number of zones and the best configuration for the zoning system.