If you’ve ever sat in your living room during the winter and thought, “Why does my bedroom have to be so much colder than my home office?” or wondered why some rooms in your house are always warmer than others, you may benefit from a zoned control heating device. These systems use motorized dampers within the ductwork or valves within hydronic systems to allow you to manage heating and cooling on an individual basis for better comfort and lower energy bills.
A zoned system has 3 basic components: thermostats, a central control panel, and electronic dampers that are distributed throughout your air ducts. Each thermostat is assigned to a specific zoning area, decided upon by you and your technician. The thermostats are wired to the central control panel and connected with the electronic dampers, which are able to open or close depending on the temperature set at the associated thermostat. When the thermostat in a given zone is higher than the desired temperature, the dampers will open to increase airflow; when the zone’s temperature has reached its setting, the dampers will close.
The biggest advantage of a zoned control heating device is its ability to create customized temperatures for different areas in your house, including your bedroom. Zoning is ideal for households with multiple residents who have varying temperature preferences. For example, you might want your bedroom to be a little cooler than your home gym or have family members who like their bedrooms to be warmer or cooler than yours. With a zoning system, you can achieve this without having to purchase multiple systems, as each member of the household has their own personalized temperature setting.
Another reason to invest in a zoned system is its high energy efficiency. Many heating systems waste energy by directing the same amount of heat to all areas of the house, even those that don’t require as much warmth. By channeling more heat to colder rooms, such as sunlit southwestern or upper floor areas, you’ll save energy and reduce your utility bills.
While a zoning system does cost more upfront than traditional systems, it can often pay for itself in just a few years through its energy savings. By reducing the number of times you have to turn up the furnace or shut off the AC in empty rooms, a zoning system will significantly reduce your monthly energy bills and help you get comfortable, fast.
If you’re interested in learning more about a zoned control system, give the team at IERNA’s Heating & Cooling a call today! We offer a wide range of HVAC services, including installing and maintaining a variety of zoning systems. We’re happy to answer any of your questions and help you determine if a zoning system is right for your Mequon, WI, home.