What Is The Zone Control System And How Does It Save Me Money?

Like every homeowner, you’re looking for ways to reduce energy bills. Unlike some overly frugal people, you haven’t resorted to taking cold showers or banning the use of your HVAC system in favor of a space heater or a window fan.

Savvy homeowners look for ways to use their heating and cooling systems to keep them comfortable while saving money. Today’s topic covers zoned HVAC and how it can have a positive impact on your budget.

First, we’ll address an essential question—what is the zone control system? Then, we’ll show you why it makes sense to consider zoned heating and cooling.

What Is the Zone Control System?

Zoning your HVAC system is a way to manage temperatures in each area or zone in a home. With traditional systems, you’re forced to heat or cool the entire living space to the same temperature. Zoned HVAC allows you to control the temperature of separate areas of your home independently.

What is the structure of the zone control system?

When you’re ready to convert to zoned heating and cooling, your HVAC technician will set each zone up with separate thermostats and motorized dampers on the air ducts. A central controller connected to each thermostat turns the central air and heating system when the thermostat requests air.

Don’t worry about the right way to divide your home into zones. Your HVAC technician can help determine your needs. You may only need an upstairs and downstairs zone, or you could have even more control by setting up individual rooms as independent zones.

However you decide to set up your zoned system, you’ll save money, starting with your utility bills.

Lower Your Utility Bills

In a traditional HVAC system, the air conditioner or furnace work continuously to maintain the same temperature throughout your whole house.  The system doesn’t differentiate between the rooms you spend the most time in and those you rarely use.

A zoned system turns control over to you to manage temperatures in each area, including the rooms you don’t use often. You’ll also be able to find the ideal temperature for comfort in the rooms where you spend the most time.

Continuously striving to regulate temperatures causes your HVAC system to waste energy. A zone control system can lower your monthly energy bills by around 30 percent. It’s possible your savings could pay for the installation cost within only a few years.

Helps Put an End to Thermostat Micromanagement

Consider this common heating and cooling scenario: you set your thermostat to the recommended winter setting, say 68 degrees. Your furnace heats your home to the setpoint and turns off. You’re still cold, and you bump the thermostat up a few degrees.

Once you warm up, you turn the thermostat back down, starting a cycle of micromanagement that causes your HVAC system to run inefficiently. When you mess too much with your thermostat, it starts and frequently stops rather than running longer and steadier.

Micromanagement means you use more energy!

Over time, you’ll get a feel for the ideal temperature for each room in your zoned system. You’ll avoid the need to continually flip the switch on the thermostat, which helps with efficiency and ultimately saves energy.

Eliminates Temperature Extremes

Another way zoned HVAC can save you money is by minimizing the impact of extreme fluctuations in temperatures. If you live alone, it won’t matter as much, but when the people who reside with you have different temperature preferences, you will tax your heating and cooling system.

This could go under the category of messing with the thermostat, but however you classify the problem, you’ll never make everyone in your household happy. Someone will have to compromise—unless you convert to a system that gives the individuals in your home control.

A zone control system allows comfort without compromise.

You Can Buy a Smaller System

Using less energy doesn’t only impact your heating and cooling bills. Zone control systems don’t use the same size system as traditional HVAC uses. Size matters when it comes to cost and ease of installation.

You can install a smaller system, which means you’ll spend a little less money. Your HVAC representative will assess your needs and recommend the right size system.

Don’t hesitate to sit down and talk with your HVAC contractor about how you can ensure a successful transition to your new heating and cooling system, including routine maintenance and a warranty.

Extend the Life of Your HVAC Equipment

Although HVAC equipment today last longer than ever, you’re still investing a significant amount of money upfront. You expect a long service life, especially if you have high-efficiency equipment.

The average lifespan of a furnace is between 16-20 years. You should get 12-15 years from your air conditioner. Of course, service life does depend on how well you care for your system.

Installing zoned heating and cooling cuts down on wear and tear and can extend the life of your HVAC equipment.

Ready to Install a Zone Control System?

We’ve answered a range of questions about zoned HVAC systems, including, what is the zone control system? Now that you have a better understanding of what zoning can do for your comfort level and your wallet, you’re ready to take the next step.

Here at Davison Heating and Cooling, we’ve put together a team of HVAC experts who can answer any question you might have about zoned HVAC. We’re also able to help with other HVAC issues, including repair and installation.

Contact us today to schedule a service or give us a call directly at [hls_phone_number].