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What Is An HVAC Zoning System?

What Is an HVAC Zoning System? - Fulkerson Plumbing & AC

What Is An HVAC Zoning System?

In 2019, the residential sector accounted for 18% of New Mexico’s energy consumption. That year, homes in NM used a staggering 132.4 trillion British thermal units (BTU) of energy.

The primary reason for that high consumption is the use of heating and cooling systems. On average, their use accounts for over half of the energy used in typical US homes.

An HVAC zoning system provides a way to minimize that high energy consumption. We’ll take a closer look at how it does and the benefits of such a system in this guide, so be sure to read on.

Standard HVAC systems only have a single thermostat for temperature control. By contrast, zoned systems feature several thermostats throughout multiple areas in a house. This allows you to customize the temperature in various areas of your home.

How Does a Zoning System Work?

An HVAC zoning system relies on dampers inserted into the ducts or near HVAC air vents. Dampers, in turn, are plate- or valve-like devices that control, redirect, or stop the flow of air. These, along with all the zoned system’s thermostats, connect to the main control panel.

When you switch on one of the thermostats in a zone, the damper for that zone also opens up. This then allows the conditioned air to flow into that zone. Once you turn off the thermostats in that zone, the damper then closes to stop the air from entering that area.

Reasons To Get a Zoning System for Your Home

Central HVAC systems, while convenient, can overheat or over cool some spots of a home. That excess energy used translates to higher energy bills while also decreasing comfort. Moreover, HVAC ducts can develop leaks, which can cause up to 40% of heating and cooling energy losses.

Here’s how an HVAC zoning system can help you avoid or address those issues.

Energy Savings

With a zoning system, you can adjust the temperatures in each zone or turn off the HVAC in those areas. In this way, you can avoid overheating or overcooling your home. Moreover, you don’t have to waste energy heating or cooling unoccupied areas in your abode.

Better Indoor Thermal Comfort

A zoning system’s temperature customization can also help address personal thermal discomfort. After all, researchers say some people are more sensitive to hot or cold environments. It appears that females are more prone to this phenomenon called “thermal dissatisfaction.”

So, if you feel too warm, you can switch the thermostat in a specific zone a few notches lower. That change would only apply to the area controlled by the thermostat you adjusted. As such, you get to feel cooler without compromising the comfort of the rest of your household.

Keep Duct Leak Woes at Bay

A zoned mini-split HVAC system can help you avoid dealing with duct leaks. That’s because these heating and cooling systems don’t rely on ducts. Instead, each zone gets its own indoor unit that you can then operate.

So, if you’re in the market for a new HVAC system that will let you avoid duct leaks, go for a mini-split unit.

Be in the Zone With a Zoned HVAC System

An HVAC zoning system can help you reduce your home’s energy use and energy bills. It’s ideal for families, too, as members may have a different temperature preferences.

All those beneficial uses of a zoning system should be enough to make you want to get one for your home.

Ready to get a more energy-efficient HVAC system for your home in Roswell? If so, then Fulkerson Plumbing and Air Conditioning can help! Connect with us now, and we’ll be happy to give you expert guidance in choosing an HVAC unit!