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3 Benefits of an HVAC Zoning System
You may be wondering if you would benefit from installing an HVAC zoning system in your house. The answer is very likely YES!
There’s a saying in many parts of the country, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” That is definitely true in the Denver area, where it can be snowing one day and shorts weather the next. We’re used to adapting to our changing outdoor temperatures, but being comfortable in our homes shouldn’t be a challenge.
Zoning increases the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioner, and the overall comfort level in your home, by heating and cooling areas of your home differently. Often the main level of a home (where the thermostat is located) is comfortable but the upstairs is sweltering, or the downstairs is freezing. Zoning allows you to control those areas independently of one another.
How HVAC Zoning Systems Work
Zoning works through the use of multiple thermostats which each control the dampers in the air ducts for a particular area of the house. When a room reaches its programmed temperature, the dampers close so that room is no longer heated or cooled.
Benefits of HVAC Zoning
There are 3 major benefits to installing a zoning system or incorporating one into your new construction.
1. Lower monthly energy bills.
Because you are no longer overheating or overcooling sections of your home, you are no longer paying for wasted energy.
For an added bonus, pair your zoned system with programmable thermostats to save up to 30 percent more on heating and cooling costs.
2. More comfortable indoor environment
With decentralized control of your heating and air conditioning, the rooms in your home will always be the right temperature during the times you use them most.
3. Less wear and tear on your system
Your furnace and air conditioner no longer need to work as hard to heat and cool your entire home. Only the areas that need it will get heat or air conditioning.
When to Install an HVAC Zoning System
HVAC zoning systems are easiest to install when the home is being built, but any home with a forced air heating system is a potential candidate for zoning. If you plan to be in your home for a long time, it is an investment worth making.
Homes with certain features see the biggest energy savings from zoning. Those features include: cathedral (high) ceilings, an above-garage room or living space, lots of large windows, basement or attic living spaces, a loft or sunroom, and multiple stories.
HVAC Zoning System Cost
The cost of installing an HVAC zoning system depends on the number of zones you create. More zones equal higher cost. Most contractors believe 2 zones are sufficient to get the benefits of zoning and keep costs down. As an example, two levels of HVAC zoning added to a two-story house (one upstairs and one downstairs) will cost approximately $2,500.
