Energy efficiency is a focal point for many people who are upgrading their home HVAC systems. Cooling requirements, in particular, can be significant and result in big electric bills. One way to improve efficiency is installing a high-SEER air conditioner or heat pump, but it isn’t the only option. Many homeowners are improving efficiency even more with HVAC zoning. Let’s explore what zone control is and the many benefits it can provide your California household.
1. Personalized Comfort
Traditional central HVAC systems have a single zone and provide the same level of cooling and heating throughout. A zoned system has multiple discrete zones instead. That allows you to adjust the temperature and other settings, such as relative humidity, for each zone independently. You could, for instance, have a slightly lower temperature in the kitchen without affecting the other living areas. Apply that approach to other rooms, including bedrooms, home offices, home theaters, and laundry rooms. Advanced thermostats that support profiles and occupancy sensing can even let you make those adjustments for individual preferences.
2. Lower Cooling and Heating Bills
Zone control results in less energy used because the system doesn’t have to cycle for as long or as frequently. Such HVAC systems typically have variable-speed air handlers that can ramp up and down in fine increments as needed. Another benefit is that many areas of a home only need minimal cooling and heating. You can, for example, enjoy cool sleeping temperatures while maintaining more modest settings throughout the rest of the home. How much this lowers your costs depends on various factors, but the U.S. Department of Energy estimates 30% on average.
3. Reduced Household Carbon Footprint
Less electricity and fuel consumption also result in a smaller household carbon footprint. This is notable as air conditioning and heating are top contributors to the average household’s footprint. Zone control eliminates energy waste in several ways, including avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure. Another consideration is the air leakage that’s prevalent among traditional ductwork systems. The DOE estimates that leakage is between 20% and 40% in the average single-zone system. Among multi-zone systems, it’s often less than 5%. These systems demand regular duct inspections and services, including air balancing.
4. More Even Cooling and Heating
Achieving even cooling and heating in a single zone with thousands of square footage of living space is an imperfect science. Warm spots in summer and cold spots in winter are common problems. In multistory homes, you’ll often experience temperature differences greater than 2 degrees between floors. Zone control eliminates these issues. In a well-functioning system, each zone, including those in the upper levels, gets precisely the airflow it needs.
5. Improved Indoor Air Quality
Zoning inherently improves indoor air quality because each zone is a contained area. The pollutants created when cooking won’t travel from your kitchen into other zones. If painting a room in one area of your home, those volatile organic compounds won’t make it into the others. Zone control also makes optional indoor air quality equipment more effective. That includes in-duct dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air purifiers, and germicidal lights.
6. Reduced Noise Output
HVAC systems with multiple zones are generally quieter than their single-zone counterparts. For instance, the equipment doesn’t have to cycle on as often or for as long. That means less noise from the outdoor condenser unit and the indoor blower. There’s less airflow through the system overall, and it’s contained in those areas that need it. In addition, regular duct inspections help to avoid rumbling and other issues associated with noisy ductwork.
7. Enhanced HVAC for Special Zones
Zoning allows for much greater control over living areas with special purposes. You could have a separate zone for your nursery in order to maintain warmer sleeping temperatures there. Sunrooms are notoriously difficult to cool, but zone control makes it much easier. In modern households, it’s also increasingly common to have server rooms that need additional cooling.
HVAC Zone Control Installation in Palm Desert
Breeze Air Conditioning is an HVAC company located in Palm Desert, CA. We’ve served homeowners throughout the region for more than 45 years. Our NATE-certified technicians can install zone control alongside your new HVAC equipment, such as air conditioners and furnaces. We can upgrade existing systems with zoning and add features for indoor air quality control, such as dehumidifiers and air purifiers. Our team also provides all necessary maintenance, including air balancing, and offers a maintenance plan to help you save.
If you have questions or want to schedule an on-site consultation, call today, or contact us online.