Most central HVAC systems function by pushing air from one single point throughout your home using ductwork. You can close vents in areas you might not want conditioned air to go to, but this can throw off the pressure balance of the system. Instead, think about upgrading to a zoned HVAC system. Zoned systems can be more energy efficient, save you money, and keep you more comfortable.
What Is HVAC Zoning?
In a zoned system, an HVAC professional designates specific areas of your residence as zones. The exact setup will differ depending on your home. For example, a two-story home might have zones in the living room, on the second floor, and in another high-use area. Smaller two-story homes may have just one zone per floor whereas larger homes may have each side of the house designated as a zone. You can even define individual rooms to their own zones if you feel there is a need.
Your HVAC system then heats and cools each zone separately. Usually, each zone has its own individual thermostat, and you should have a panel where you can control all of them. Some integrate smart technology so you can control them from your smartphone or tablet remotely. You can also use a smart thermostat to control your zones using geofencing technology or advanced learning.
How Do You Zone an HVAC System?
There are two main ways to zone an HVAC system. If you already have ductwork installed in your home, you don’t necessarily need to change out the entire system. Adjustments may vary depending on specific heating and cooling models and your home configuration, though.
To zone a central HVAC system, technicians use components called dampers. They’ll either look like a plate of metal or a valve, depending on what the situation requires. Dampers go inside your ductwork and direct the air at varying levels. When you have a zoned system, the dampers will open and close as needed to route air where you want it instead of throughout the entire home.
Another way to zone your HVAC system is with ductless mini-splits. If you own a house with ductwork, this probably isn’t a necessary choice. It’s rare to convert an entire ducted home to use a ductless system. They’re great for new home additions, though, as well as integrating those additions as zones with your HVAC system. If you’ve heard of heat pumps, which function like air conditioners but can both heat and cool, you know what a mini-split is. Essentially, mini-splits use the same technology as heat pumps, but they split the system into smaller individual air handlers. The installer situates one handler per zone, and the system pushes the air directly into those zones rather than conditioning it and sending it through ductwork first.
Regardless of the type of zoned system you choose, always consult one of our professionals first. A licensed professional knows how to zone your system for the best possible efficiency. We can also be sure to calculate your home’s heating and cooling loads to make sure your HVAC system and planned zoning system are up to the task.
Benefits of a Zoned HVAC System
In short, there are quite a few benefits associated with zoning your HVAC system.
- Customized comfort
- Energy efficiency
- Reduced equipment wear and tear
- Lower energy bills
- Ease of use
- Healthy indoor air quality
Achieving Ideal Interior Comfort
Since you can direct air where you want it with a zoned system, you can focus your attention on zones that need it most. You can’t set drastically different temperatures in each individual room. It can help make you significantly more comfortable, though. If you have a room that stays particularly warm during summertime, a central HVAC system might struggle to keep it as cool as the rest of your home. Zoned systems let you send air where it’s needed most to keep individual zones comfortable no matter what the weather.
Maximizing HVAC Energy Efficiency
Zoned systems are usually more energy efficient than more traditional options. Because your system can focus on a single zone that’s less comfortable than others, you save some of the energy the system would have used on the other zones. In addition to being better for the environment, energy efficiency has a few benefits of its own.
Reduced Wear and Tear
Since you can direct air where you need it, you won’t make the system waste effort on places it’s not cooling. Because that can reduce the amount of use the system sees overall, the parts wear more slowly. With proper maintenance, your HVAC system should stay in better condition for longer.
Lower Your Energy Bills
By using less energy to cool your home in general, you’ll save on your monthly electric bills. One thing to note is that, depending on your home configuration, these savings may look smaller month to month than you expected. Your technician should be able to help advise you about exact numbers, but when the system uses energy more efficiently as a whole, those savings will add up over the course of the year.
Scheduling and Ease of Use
Access to one central control panel makes it more convenient to work with zoned HVAC systems. Plus, it allows you to schedule temperatures and zones the way you would with a traditional programmable or smart thermostat. Aligning your schedules with summer activities keeps you comfortable when you’re home, along with saving energy when you’re out. Zoning gives you more flexibility. For example, you can have your system focus cooling on the room your pet’s kennel is in when you’re at work. Many systems integrate with smart thermostats or are smart themselves, giving you access from anywhere with an internet connection.
Better Indoor Air Quality
No matter the system type, zoning helps improve your indoor air quality. Since you can send air only where it’s needed, particulates from other areas of the home won’t circulate as easily into other spaces, even if they manage to escape your HVAC filter. This is particularly beneficial when it comes to substances like mold that can then grow and spread quickly. Zoning can cut back on the need for duct cleaning and repairs.
Ductless systems as zoning options go a little further. Each air handler that defines an individual zone has its own reusable air filter. In addition to reducing the number of pollutants that circulate from room to room, ductless zoning can help remove more of them from your air altogether. If you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, this is an important feature.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of investing in a zoned HVAC system for your home, Specialty Heating & Cooling LLC is available to assist. We prioritize exceptional customer service and can help you with the selection and installation of a zoned HVAC system. No matter what heating or cooling system you have, we also offer routine maintenance and emergency repairs to keep your system running efficiently and reliably throughout the year. For HVAC zoning services in Tigard, OR, reach out to our team at Specialty Heating & Cooling LLC today.