If you’re on the road to an empty nest, you’ve got plenty on your mind. You have more free time in your future you’ll find ways to spend. You’re probably a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One item you might want to add to that list of things to think about: A newly emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.
Once your kids are all packed up and gone, one of the first things you’ll notice is some of your bills will decrease. After all, there are fewer people utilizing the resources in your home—from water and food to electricity.
But even though you’re using less energy, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open rooms, you’re racking up expenses to heat and cool spaces you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t solve that—in fact, you’ll likely use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC choosing that option. Zoning is a possible solution.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system controls the air in your HVAC to target specific regions—or zones—in your home. They use dampers to push the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is difficult, zoning systems can be even more helpful. Rather than deal with just one part of the home that is too hot or cold, zoning allows a custom temperature to be set in the area.
Zoning systems are also useful for empty nesters who want to save energy and money each month. With a zoning system, you can make different zones in your home and manage them individually. When the kids are gone, you can set the temperature in their space to use less energy. When they come back to visit, you make a small tweak and it’s like they never left.
Most importantly, you can save energy and costs using a zoning system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could see a savings of up to 35 percent when you use zoning with a programmable thermostat.
When Should I Consider Zoning?
Zoning systems are a perfect fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while maintaining comfort levels. They’re also a smart choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs dramatically between different floors or spaces in the home.
- Large windows are a part of commonly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging to control temperatures.
Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?
Generally, zoning works best for houses that have a multi-stage variable capacity HVAC system. This ensures it can run at peak efficiency—so you can save energy and expenses. However, there are solutions for single-stage equipment that also let you reap the benefits of zoning.
And for cases that need an even more flexible solution, there are mini split systems that can act as a separate HVAC for difficult to regulate rooms.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is different. The experts at Connolly Electric & Mechanical can help you decide whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s a perfect time to reassess your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Connolly Electric & Mechanical, our goal is to confirm that you’re comfortable and your system is operating as efficiently as possible. If you want to hear more on how a zoned system could help, give us a call at 928-251-4327 or schedule an appointment with us online.