What to Know About Air Conditioning and Heating Zoning Systems
Air conditioning and heating systems are units that help provide a comfortable environment in people’s homes. But even if the air conditioning and heating system is fully functional, there can often be temperature fluctuations throughout the home. One part of the house is cold while the rest of it is warm. These differences can be traced to several factors, such as the design of the house and heat physics. To regulate the conditions in these problematic areas, investing in an air conditioning and heating zoning system is highly recommended.
What are air conditioning and heating zoning systems and how do they work?
Air conditioning and heating zoning systems are cooling and heating systems that control electronic dampers to regulate the air temperature in certain areas of the house. Dampers are strategically positioned throughout the ductwork and control how much air enters a room. They are controlled by multiple thermostats in several zones or by a central device. Depending on the preferred temperature, the dampers dictate the amount of air permitted into an area.
There are a few types of HVAC zoning systems:
Specialized rooms – These refer to rooms not everyone has in their house, such as personal gyms. It’s wise to turn these areas into air conditioning and heating zones to provide extra comfort while working out or performing other demanding activities.
Different floors – Assigning each floor a zone is another good idea. Top floors generally have higher temperatures than ground levels since they are near hot roofs and due to rising hot air. As a result, they require additional cooling.
Sun-lit rooms - Rooms with huge, open windows are often a homeowner’s favorite. However, these areas are usually warmer than other parts of the house since the increased sunlight raises the temperature.
What are the benefits of air conditioning and heating zoning systems?
Air conditioning and heating zones are an extremely valuable investment, primarily because they improve the comfort of a house. Inevitably, some family members may want some rooms to be a bit warmer than other areas. With a zoning system, all family members can manage the temperature in their rooms, ensuring everyone is comfortable and happy.
Another major reason why people install air conditioning and heating zoning systems is to save energy. Using regular AC units to cool the entire home can result in large spikes in monthly electric bills. By mounting zoned air conditioning and heating systems in a house, there will be no unnecessary costs related to cooling unused rooms. The only expense you’ll have to cover is conditioning the areas you choose.
What are the downsides of air conditioning and heating zoning systems?
There are some notable drawbacks worth mentioning. First, installing zoned AC systems is a more expensive project than the traditional large units that cool the entire house. Nonetheless, the higher initial cost is offset by overall lower energy bills.
Another potential problem is lost air. Some argue that traditional ductwork is more efficient than zoned air conditioning and heating systems. But this only happens if bypass ducts are installed incorrectly. With proper installation, the inefficiency factor is minimized or eliminated altogether.
Comfort comes first
To make your house even more pleasant, contact professional air conditioning and heating contractors. They’ll mount an efficient air conditioning and heating zoning system to ensure comfortable living premises.
Above and Beyond Air Conditioning & Heating is a San Antonio residential and commercial air conditioning and heating company dedicated to providing the highest level of home comfort. Call us today at (210)794-9895.
