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 want to figure out things to do. You’re likely a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One item you might want to put on that list of things to ponder: A recently emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.
Once your kids are all packed up and on their way, one of the first things you’ll see is some of your bills will decrease. After all, there are less people consuming the resources in your home—from water and food to electricity.
But even though you’re using less energy, that doesn’t mean you can’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open areas, you’re racking up expenses to heat and cool rooms you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t resolve that—in fact, you’ll probably 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 manages the air in your HVAC to narrow in on 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 even more helpful. Rather than fight 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 manage them individually. When the kids are gone, 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.
Most importantly, 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 Think About Zoning?
Zoning systems are a great fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while keeping their space just as comfortable as before. They’re also a good choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs noticeably between different floors or spaces in the home.
- Large windows are a part of commonly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging to maintain temperatures.
Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?
Generally, zoning works best for homes 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 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 team at Anderson Heating & A/C can help you decide 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 Anderson Heating & A/C, our goal is to make sure you’re comfortable and your system is working as efficiently as possible. If you want to hear more on how a zoned system could help, give us a call at 775-230-7628 or book an appointment with us online.