Choosing a furnace isn’t an easy task. There are different brands and models of heating systems available on the market these days, and you might find it quite challenging to determine which one’s for you. In addition to these factors, choosing the kind of system should also be taken into consideration. We’re talking about zoned heating and central heating systems. Both offer advantages and disadvantages.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your preferred heating company in New Brighton MN. We offer an array of zoned HVAC systems as well as central heating units designed to provide your heating needs with energy-efficiency in mind.
The Difference
An HVAC zoning system (also known as “zoned HVAC”) is a heating and cooling system that utilizes dampers in the ductwork to control and redirect air to specific areas of the home. This allows for the creation of customized temperature zones throughout the home for improved comfort and energy-efficiency.
On the other hand, central heating uses traditional methods of delivering air to your home. In a traditional set-up, every room in your home that has a supply vent will receive heated air. With a conventional heating system, you will always have a room that’s either too hot or too cold. This is a common issue in homes with central air since not everyone in the family has the same temperature preference.
How Zoning Works
The first thing you need to do is to identify each zone. For homes with an open floor plan, you should regard open areas as a single zone. Closed areas such as bedrooms and study rooms can be zoned separately.
To maximize your system’s energy-efficiency, you need to determine how you will manage the temperatures in each zone. A programmable thermostat can be used to preset temperatures that vary based on the time of the day and the day of the week. Also, a smart thermostat has the ability to automatically heat or cool the room based on its activity level. Either thermostats should work with a zoned heating system.
Thermostats
A home with a central heating system installed only comes with one thermostat, which is typically located in the middle of the home or on the first floor. When an area surrounding the thermostat gets too cold, the thermostat tells the furnace to send heated air. However, the whole house will be heated indiscriminately, including unused areas.
This random heating causes your home to have inconsistent temperature levels. You’ll notice that some rooms are drastically warmer than the others.
Zoned heating, on the contrary, allows you to divide your home into individual zones, and each zone receives its own thermostat. The furnace focuses on warming the zones that need heat at any given time. Every thermostat can command your furnace to turn on at any moment, and only the zones that need heating will be heated.
Is Zoning For Me?
Consider these questions when deciding what type of system to buy:
Do you have rarely occupied rooms such as a guest room, an attic, or a basement? If so, then HVAC zoning is the way to go. Why spend on heating unused rooms when you have the option to only consume energy in the rooms you actually use?
Are you building a new home? Zoning is perfect for those who have plans or currently building a new home because it can be easily linked to the existing blueprint. On the other hand, if you’re adding rooms to a home that has existing ductwork, you may need additional work to accommodate the new system.
Does your home have multiple levels? Again, a zoned HVAC system is the wise choice. Since hot air typically rises, controlling the temperature is much more challenging than the rooms in the lower level. Zoning can fix this issue by providing an individual thermostat to your upper level and lower level rooms. Everyone will have their preferred temperature settings whether they are upstairs or downstairs.
Thinking About HVAC Zoning? Call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
To help you make an informed decision, talk to one of our heating specialists. We’d love to provide you with long-term solutions for your home comfort needs. Over the past 40 plus years, we have been your trustworthy Roseville furnace installation company.