If you’re on your way to an empty nest, you’ve got a lot 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 think about: A newly emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.
Once your kids are all packed up and gone, one of the first things you’ll observe is some of your energy costs 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 a reduced amount of energy, that doesn’t mean you can’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open rooms, you’re spending money to heat and cool rooms 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 might be just the ticket for you.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system manages the air in your HVAC to target specific spaces—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 battle 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 nice for empty nesters who want to save energy and money each month. With a zoning system, you can make different zones in your home and manage them individually. When the kids are away, 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 experience 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 radically between different floors or spaces in the home.
- Large windows are a part of frequently used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging 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 run at peak efficiency—so you can save energy and money. However, there are options 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 spaces.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is different. The professionals at US Air Heating and Cooling can help you determine 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 US Air Heating and Cooling, 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, give us a call at 803-220-0761 or arrange an appointment with us online.