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 item you might want to put on that list of things to think about: A freshly emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.
Once the 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 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 shouldn’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open areas, you’re racking up expenses to heat and cool areas you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t solve that—in fact, you’ll probably use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC that way. Zoning can help.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system regulates the air in your HVAC to narrow in on specific spaces—or zones—in your home. They use dampers to focus the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is challenging, zoning systems can be even more helpful. Rather than deal with just one part of the home that is too hot or cold, zoning allows 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 make 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 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 notice a savings of up to 35 percent when you use zoning with a programmable thermostat.
When Should I Consider Zoning?
Zoning systems are an ideal fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while keeping up with their home comfort. They’re also a great choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs dramatically between different floors or rooms in 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?
Typically, zoning works best for homes 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 solutions for single-stage equipment that also let you earn the benefits of zoning.
And for circumstances 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 Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help you choose whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s a perfect time to reassess your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, our goal is to confirm that 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, call our experts at 877-389-2465 or book an appointment with us online.