When the weather is fine many people experience that perfect start to the day when the floor feels warmer and inviting. But, all too often, the opposite situation occurs, and we find ourselves recoiling from the touch of a freezing cold floor. The appearance of cold and hot spots in your home can be caused by a number of issues, and the solution may be to install an HVAC zoning system. This will improve the effectiveness of your heating and cooling system, and it may even save you some money at the same time. In this article, we will look at the six key benefits of installing an HVAC zoning system in your home.
- Saving Money
We touched on this point in our introduction, and saving money is something that we’re all interested in. Your existing air conditioning unit and furnace work hard throughout most of the year to create a comfortable indoor environment. But, you don’t need all the treated air in every area or zone at the same time. It’s also true that some zones in your home are used more than others, and it makes no sense to heat the upper floor of your home when no-one is up there. Reducing the level of heating and cooling to zones that are not in use right now can make a huge difference to your utility bills. The Department of Energy estimates that heating and cooling account for around 40% of the energy used in a typical home. When a zoned HVAC system is installed, that heating and cooling bill can be reduced by around 30%.
- Simplicity
This may sound complicated, but in reality, a zoned HVAC system works along simple principles, and it’s very easy to operate. When you need to alter the temperature in one of your zones, you simply adjust the thermostat that controls that zone. This sends a message to the furnace or air conditioning unit, and the treated air is directed to that zone. The treated air is not distributed to every duct in your home because dampeners are installed at each opening. This directs the flow of treated air efficiently to where you need it, and ducts, where it’s not required are kept closed. Once your desired zone has reached your ideal temperature, the system shuts down until your need to use it again. Essentially, you’re only paying to cool or heat the zones that you need, and this will save a significant amount of energy. A zoned HVAC system also reduces the wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment.
- Improving Your Quality of Life
Many people will have experienced discomfort in their own homes, and the last thing you need is a disturbed night of sleep because you woke up hot and dripping sweat. This may lead to stumbling out of bed and trying to locate the thermostat somewhere else in the home when you’re half asleep. This can occur for a number of reasons, perhaps someone else is changing the thermostat, or an adjustment is needed because the season has changed. During seasonal adjustments, it may even be necessary to locate the levels to adjust the airflow levels during spring and fall. Ultimately this doesn’t tend to make much of a difference to the airflow, and there is a more efficient way to maintain your indoor comfort levels. A task as simple as regulating your indoor temperature is easier when you can control different zones. If someone prefers a temperature of 75º and another person in a different zone prefers 68º, both needs can be met with a zoned HVAC system installation.
- Improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Many people notice a change in the IAQ after the installation of a zoned HVAC system. When the area is split into zones, the circulation of allergens, dirt, and dust in the air is reduced. These airborne contaminants are not blown throughout the home, and this will help people with health issues, including asthma, skin conditions, pre-existing respiratory problems, and more. The most notable example would be the growth of mold in the basement. Around 70% of homes have this problem, and reducing airflow in these areas can help. Toxic mold spores are a major cause of poor air quality in homes, and reducing the volume of spores in the air will have a positive impact. When you have better control over your IAQ, you will notice that everyone breathes easier, and those prone to related health issues will feel much better.
- Extending the Lifespan of Your HVAC System
Aside from the advantages of using less energy, there are other reasons to want a more efficient HVAC system. When your heating and cooling equipment isn’t relied on heavily, it will be less prone to failures when you need it most. Your zoned HVAC system will not be heating and cooling every part of your home even if it’s not in use. This will significantly reduce the strain on the equipment with less overall running time. It’s estimated that a zoned HVAC system installation will pay for itself in 2-4 years. The lifespan of an existing HVAC system can be improved, and you will really notice the difference with a new system installation. A zone HVAC system is a significant investment, but when you consider that a new system can last for 15-20 years, it makes good sense. Any steps that you can take to make your HVAC system last longer and be at the upper end of that lifespan range are worth it.
- Solving Problems
Many homeowners may now be thinking to themselves, “This sounds interesting, but do I need it in my home?”. This is a valid point, but the answer for many people is probably yes for the aforementioned reasons and to fix other problems. When it comes to uneven heating and cooling performance, the problem areas are often caused by three issues; they are design, location, and insulation. The layout, orientation, and insulation levels will all affect how your home is cooled and heated. You can take steps to deal with these problems, and installing a zone HVAC system is one of them.
If you want to install a zoned HVAC system in your home, contact your local heating and cooling specialist today.