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 possibly a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One factor 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 bills 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 utilize. With some open areas, 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 resolve that—in fact, you’ll possibly use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC that way. Zoning can help.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system controls the air in your HVAC to focus on specific regions—or zones—in your home. They use dampers to push the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is challenging, zoning systems can be especially helpful. Rather than battle 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 helpful for empty nesters who want to save energy and costs each month. With a zoning system, you can create different zones in your home and regulate them individually. When the kids are away, you can set the temperature in their area to use less energy. When they come back to visit, you make a small tweak and it’s like they never left.
Perhaps the best benefit, you can save energy and expenses 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 Ponder Zoning?
Zoning systems are a great fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while maintaining comfort levels. They’re also a great choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs dramatically between different floors or spaces in the home.
- Large windows are a part of frequently used rooms.
- High ceilings make it difficult to control 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 operate at peak efficiency—so you can save energy and money. However, there are solutions for single-stage equipment that also let you earn 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 areas.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is distinctive. The team at Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating can help you choose whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s a great time to reassess your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating , 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 949-317-4175 or schedule an appointment with us online.