Call Us TodayThe Importance of HVAC Zoning
If you are a homeowner in O’Fallon, MO or the surrounding area, you may have heard the term “HVAC zoning” before. What exactly does the term mean, though? Also, you might be wondering if it is something that your home could benefit from. Here, we’ll answer these questions for you, and then you should have a solid understanding of exactly what HVAC zoning is. You will also have a good idea of its benefits and a foundation of knowledge to work with in deciding if the upgrade is a good fit for your home.
Demystifying HVAC Zoning
If you’re wondering what HVAC zoning is, it is actually a pretty simple concept. When you have an HVAC zoning system put into your home, your residence is separated into different “zones,” each with its own individual thermostat. That means that you can, for example, set the living room to a different temperature from the master bedroom (if you have broken up the zones in such a way). With HVAC zoning, you are not relegated to heating and cooling the entirety of your home to one temperature. With HVAC zoning, you get significantly greater control over the temperature throughout your home. You can save energy (more on that in a bit), and everyone in the household can have the areas they spend time in customized to their individual needs.
Is HVAC Zoning Right for You?
We happen to think that every home could benefit from HVAC zoning. That being said, there are some instances where having individually zoned areas of a house makes the most sense.
Multi-Level Homes
If you live in a multi-level home, you have likely noticed that the upper levels of your home can generally feel warmer than the lower ones. This is because heat naturally tends to rise. This can be frustrating if your master bedroom is upstairs and the bedrooms of your children are on the lower.
While you might be able to comfortably sleep, they are chilly, so you wind up having to turn up the heat so that they can get some rest. Pretty soon, you have a scorching room, and they are only moderately warmer than before. Homes like this are perfect candidates for HVAC zoning because you are able to set both areas to their ideal temperature and do not need to count on one thermostat to fruitlessly try to handle both.
High-Ceilinged Homes
If you have a house with a single story, but particularly high ceilings, you may have noticed the difficulty in getting comfortable. This is because the heat is collecting at the ceiling and leaving the area where you actually are not very warm. With a zoned HVAC system, you can have the heat circulated more in this room by raising the temperature without affecting the comfort in the other areas of the house with a lower ceiling.
Homes With Large Windows
If you have a home with at least one room that has large windows that let in a lot of sunlight, you have probably noticed that this area of the home is always warmer. This can be difficult to control, especially if the windows are high up so that you cannot hang curtains on them easily. This can lead you to regularly try to make it cooler in the room with the windows by reaching for your thermostat. Often you will find that the rest of the house gets unbearably chilly. By having your home zoned, you will not run into this problem.
Benefits of HVAC Zoning
Extending Your Unit’s Lifespan
Anytime you reduce how much energy your unit is using, you are extending its lifespan. By setting up different zones throughout your home, you have the ability to make adjustments to one room instead of trying to affect the entire home. This winds up using considerably less energy, reducing the wear and tear on your equipment.
Versatility and Convenience
With an HVAC zoning system, you gain greater control over how the temperature in your home is regulated. You also get access to extraordinarily smart technology that allows you to access this control by way of a remote control or a smart device like your phone or a tablet.
Energy Savings
Excess energy usage translates into higher utility bills. With the lessened energy that your zoned HVAC system uses to keep different areas of the home at their preferred levels, this can translate to big monthly savings.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Zoned HVAC systems use dampers that ensure that air only makes its way to the area for which it is intended. Since contaminants can sometimes make it past filters and into your home, dampers help by diverting dirt, pollen, and other contaminants into one area instead of throughout the entire household.
How HVAC Zoning Works
Now that we have broken down the concept of HVAC zoning, the types of scenarios it is used for, and its benefits, let’s explore how it actually works. When you have your home set up for HVAC zoning, your home is divided into separate zones, each individually controlled through your own HVAC system. Each area has its own thermostat, or you have the option of setting up a master zoning panel. The master zoning panel can control up to four heating and cooling zones throughout a home.
In an HVAC-zoned home, dampers are strategically installed in your ductwork so that they are located at the opening of each duct that leads to a zone. When you need to cool or heat that area, the damper will open to allow for the air to blow through the vent, reaching your intended target. Depending on what your system decides is the right amount of airflow, a damper may fully or partially open. All of the dampers in other areas will stay closed unless you specify, creating the most efficient use of your heating and cooling system possible.
After the designated zone reaches the desired temperature, the system turns itself off until you direct that it is again needed. Since you are only paying to heat or cool the zones that you designate, you wind up spending much less on your energy bill.
Your O’Fallon HVAC Zoning Team
If you are an O’Fallon homeowner who wants to know more about HVAC zoning, the crew at Hoff Heating & AC are your local experts. We have over three decades of heating and cooling experience in the area, and all of our technicians are NATE-certified. Our team is also proud to say that we have a stellar A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Whether you need an installation, repair, or routine maintenance done on your heating and cooling system, we have the knowledge, tools, and expertise to provide you with the results you are looking for. You can also look to us for any of your indoor air quality needs as well, from dehumidification systems to germicidal lights. To hear more about what Hoff Heating & AC can do for your home, including mini-split installation, give us a call today.
