If you’re on the road to an empty nest, you’ve got quite a bit on your mind. You have more free time in your future you’ll want to figure out things to do. You’re probably a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One factor you might want to put on that list of things to consider: A newly emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.
Once the children are all packed up and out the door, one of the first things you’ll notice is some of your bills will decrease. After all, there aren’t as many people using the resources in your home—from water and food to electricity.
But even though you’re using lower amounts of energy, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t be more efficient with the energy you do use. With some open areas, you’re paying to heat and cool rooms 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 might be just the ticket for you.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system regulates the air in your HVAC to target specific regions—or zones—in your home. They use dampers to divert the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is challenging, zoning systems can be particularly helpful. Rather than fight with just one part of the home that is too hot or cold, zoning offers a custom temperature to be set in the area.
Zoning systems are also helpful for empty nesters who want to save energy and money each month. With a zoning system, you can design different zones in your home and regulate 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 adjustment and it’s like they never left.
Best of all, you can save energy and costs 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 Ponder Zoning?
Zoning systems are a perfect fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while keeping their space just as comfortable as before. They’re also a great choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs dramatically between different floors or areas of the home.
- Large windows are a part of frequently used rooms.
- High ceilings make it difficult to maintain temperatures.
Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?
Typically, zoning works best for houses that have a multi-stage variable capacity HVAC system. This ensures it can function at peak efficiency—so you can save energy and costs. However, there are systems 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 special. The experts at B&D Air Conditioning can help you choose whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s an ideal time to reevaluate your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At B&D Air Conditioning, 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, call our experts at 928-432-6018 or schedule an appointment with us online.