Zoning Systems

A home zoning system allows for the independent heating and cooling of a home by dividing it into separate areas that can be controlled individually. Each area, or zone, has its own thermostat and dampers that regulate airflow through the ductwork. This allows for more precise temperature control and can improve energy efficiency. Zoning is particularly beneficial for multi-level homes, homes with large open spaces, or rooms with different sun exposure.

In homes with zoned systems, ductwork is divided into different areas of the house, each with its own motorized damper. Individual thermostats control the temperature in each zone. The dampers work in unison with your HVAC system to deliver heated or cooled air throughout your home in an efficient manner. When the dampers are closed, it means that thermostat has done its job or the system is in rest mode. This is an energy-saving mode that cools just the areas that need it.

Zoning systems enhance comfort in the home by providing the means to regulate temperature in different zones. They can reduce energy consumption by directing control to spaces actually in use and thereby avoiding heating or cooling the rest of the house. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that a good zoning system can potentially cut your energy bill by as much as 30 percent! If you want a more economical method of trimming your energy costs right down, consider installing a good zoning system.

Although most residential zoning systems can handle two to four different zones, some sophisticated systems can accommodate up to eight. The size and layout of the home and the nature of the specific temperature control problem determine how many zones a house will need. As a professional can tell you, not all homes are good candidates for zoning, since some have such uniform heating or cooling demands that zoning would be superfluous. But for homes that do have distinct temperature control problems, zoning can solve the trouble in an efficient and effective manner.

To set up a zoning system, you need to add dampers to the ductwork and thermostats to each zone. The ductwork is the hardest aspect of the installation because it's very difficult to do well and very easy to mess up—especially if you're not using a professional grade of ductwork. Because of this, most zoning systems on the market aren't really very good, even if their manufacturers claim that they are. The main reason they're not very good is that the ductwork isn't very good.

A zoning system for a home can initially seem pricey, with an average range of $2,000 to $5,000. But many people find that they are able to recoup the money spent on the system over time because the zoning system saves energy and, consequently, money. The average savings across the board hovers around 30% to 40% for what is spent on the basic operating costs of the system. But some particular instances can lead to even greater savings. The most basic aspect of the shift in savings comes from the fact that the system allows for controlled heating and cooling of the home.

Many HVAC systems can be fitted with zoning components, though some are more capable of doing so than others. Compatibility with zoning technology generally increases with the age of the HVAC unit. A professional HVAC technician can determine how well the existing system can accommodate zoning technology and recommend an approach appropriate to the system's capabilities. In some cases, they might recommend a complete system replacement, while in other scenarios, upgrading a half-level part might keep an area termervented and allow the whole mechanism to operate smoothly.

Most varieties of HVAC systems can work with zoning, including air-forced, heat pump, and mini-split systems. Some niche or specialized systems have their own specific zoning solutions or require particular modifications. Radiant heating and cooling systems might offer fewer options for zoning. If you want to be sure that your system is compatible with zoning or to find out the exact kind of zoning that your system can or should use, you can consult an HVAC professional.

Like traditional HVAC systems, zoning systems need regular upkeep, and that starts with an annual inspection by a trained professional. The dampers, control panel, and other moving parts of a zoning system should be checked for unusual wear and tear or signs that they may soon be malfunctioning. Because the parts are somewhat different from those found in a standard furnace or air conditioner, an untrained technician might not recognize signs of pending trouble. Whether your zoning system is a couple of years old or a couple of decades old, an inspection with necessary adjustments is vital to keeping it reliable.

Indoor air quality can be potentially enhanced by zoning systems because they allow for better control and precision over the indoor environment. Some zoning systems can be integrated with air purification equipment for even better filtration and cleaner air. But Zoning is not enough to ensure good air quality. In fact, it's zoning coupled with thorough air quality management that gives indoor air its best shot at being healthy.