Living in a large house can be tricky when it comes to regulating temperatures. You know the scene – the upstairs is stifling while the basement is freezing.
No matter how you fiddle with the thermostat, it’s impossible to make everyone happy. Sound familiar? If so, a zone control system is the answer to your problems.
What is a Zone Control System?
A zone control system divides your home into separate zones, with each zone getting its own independent temperature control. This lets you customize temperatures based on how you use different rooms in your house.
With zoning, you can simultaneously heat or cool individual zones to different temperatures that maximize both comfort and efficiency.
For instance, maybe you like the living room extra toasty at 72°F during the day for lounging, the chilly basement at 68°F for storage, and the bedrooms at a moderate 70°F for sleep. A zoning system makes managing all of these preferences a breeze.
How Does a Multiple Zone HVAC System Work?
The magic of zoned HVAC relies on three main parts working together:
- Dampers in the ductwork to direct airflow
- Thermostats in each zone to set temperatures
- A control panel to open and close the dampers automatically
When you tweak a thermostat in a particular zone, the control panel gets the message and tells the motorized dampers to open or close accordingly. This sends heating or cooling to each area based on the temperature you’ve set.
The zones operate independently, so changing one won’t affect the others. This way, the system only conditions the spaces that need it, reducing waste.
What Are The Three Parts to a Zoned Heating System?
Three key players make up a zoned heating and AC system:
1. Dampers
Motorized dampers mount inside the ductwork to control airflow to different zones. The control panel commands them to open or close depending on what the thermostats demand.
2. Thermostats
Individual programmable thermostats get installed in every zone, giving you customized control over temperatures. Modern thermostats can even be adjusted remotely using your smartphone or tablet.
3. Control Panel
The control panel acts as the brain, telling the dampers what to do based on the thermostat settings. It gets wired to your HVAC system and dampers to modulate the zoning automatically.
How Much Does an HVAC Zoning System Cost?
The price of a multi zone HVAC system system depends on a few factors, such as:
- House size
- Number of zones
- Ductwork modifications required
- Type of zoning equipment used
Expect to spend around $4,000-$8,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home with three zones. This covers parts and professional installation. Larger homes requiring more zones may cost upwards of $10,000 or more.
What Devices Are Needed for a Zone Control System?
To create an effective zone control system, you’ll need:
- Zoning control panel – The main computer that operates the system
- Dampers and actuators – Motorized dampers that regulate airflow
- Zone thermostats – Individual thermostats for customizing each zone
- Zone sensors – Monitors temperature and communicates to control panel
- Wiring – To connect the control panel to the HVAC system
- Tubing – Flexible tubing to link dampers if ductwork is not accessible
The number of dampers, thermostats, and other devices will depend on the number of zones created. A professional contractor will determine exactly what’s needed for your unique home layout.
Is a Multi Zone Furnace Worth It?
Zoning offers some sweet benefits that make it a smart investment:
- Consistent temperatures – no more hot or cold spots!
- Lower utility bills from increased efficiency
- Customized comfort room-by-room
- Precise scheduling and control options
- Balanced humidity and air quality
For big, multi-level houses, a zoned system often pays for itself over time in energy savings. The ability to use furnace zone control also improves your quality of life within the home so it’s a win-win.
Final Thoughts
If fluctuating temperatures throughout your home drive you crazy, a zone control system is the fix. Zoning splits your place into separate thermal zones with individual temperature control to create ideal comfort room-by-room.
The increased efficiency and customization zoning make it a winner for larger homes.
Contact us for your zone control heating system needs today!
