Find Out How HVAC Zoning Systems Can Increase Home Comfort

April 2, 2015

HVAC zoning systems reduce your utility bills and make your home more comfortable by directing conditioned air to different parts of your home only when those areas need it. No matter how well your home is designed and weatherized, there will always be different energy demands from every room in your home. For example, a two-story home will naturally be warmer upstairs than downstairs. A zoning system can address these temperature differences automatically, so you don't have to spend time opening and closing vents in individual rooms, which can cause unbalanced airflow and damage your furnace or air conditioning system. HVAC zoning systems consist of three parts that differ from typical non-zoned systems. These include:

  • Multiple thermostats. This zoning system will include a separate thermostat for each zone, so that individual zones can be set to different temperatures depending on your family's comfort needs.
  • Motorized dampers. These dampers are placed inside ducts or at duct registers that serve each zone. They open or close automatically when the thermostat calls for heat or air conditioning to be directed to that zone.
  • Central control panel. Zone thermostats are all wired to a central control panel. The control panel turns the heat pump or furnace and air conditioner on and off as the zones call for heated or cooled air. It also controls the operation of individual zone dampers to keep each zone's temperature requirements satisfied.

Some HVAC zoning systems include a variable speed air handler, so that proper airflow balance can be maintained no matter how many zones are calling for conditioned air at any given time. Your HVAC contractor can design your zoning system based on your home's unique requirements so you have the right number of zones and the proper equipment for your heating and cooling needs. Please call Lozier Heating & Cooling with your questions about HVAC zoning systems, and we'll let you know how to improve your home comfort while saving money on utility bills. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: "Igor Shikov/Shutterstock"