If you’re on your way to an empty nest, you’ve got quite a bit on your mind. You have more free time in your future you’ll find ways to spend. You’re likely a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One thing you might want to include on that list of things to consider: A freshly emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.
Once the kids are all packed up and out the door, one of the first things you’ll observe is some of your energy costs will decrease. After all, there are less people using the resources in your home—from water and food to electricity.
But even though you’re using a reduced amount of energy, that doesn’t mean you can’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open areas, you’re spending money to heat and cool areas you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t fix that—in fact, you’ll possibly use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC going that route. Zoning can help.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system regulates the air in your HVAC to narrow in on specific areas—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 especially helpful. Rather than deal with just one part of the home that is too hot or cold, zoning permits a custom temperature to be set in the area.
Zoning systems are also useful for empty nesters who want to save energy and costs each month. With a zoning system, you can design different zones in your home and regulate them individually. When the kids are at their own place, you can set the temperature in their room to use less energy. When they come back to visit, you make a small change and it’s like they never left.
Best of all, you can save energy and money using a zoning system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could notice a savings of up to 35 percent when you use zoning with a programmable thermostat.
When Should I Consider Zoning?
Zoning systems are a great fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while keeping up with their home comfort. They’re also a good choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs dramatically between different floors or areas of the home.
- Large windows are a part of regularly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it hard 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 costs. However, there are options for single-stage equipment that also let you reap the benefits of zoning.
And for situations that need an even more flexible solution, there are mini split systems that can act as a separate HVAC for difficult to regulate areas.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is special. The experts at Total Comfort can help you decide whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s a great time to reevaluate your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Total Comfort, our goal is to ensure you’re comfortable and your system is running as efficiently as possible. If you want to hear more on how a zoned system could help, contact us at 201-268-5663 or book an appointment with us online.