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 need to fill. You’re possibly 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 newly 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 see is some of your bills will decrease. After all, there are fewer 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 couldn’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open rooms, you’re spending money 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 likely use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC going that route. Zoning is a possible solution.
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 a struggle, 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 nice for empty nesters who want to save energy and costs each month. With a zoning system, you can make different zones in your home and control them individually. When the kids are at their own place, 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 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 Ponder Zoning?
Zoning systems are a great fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while maintaining comfort levels. They’re also a good choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs noticeably between different floors or rooms in the home.
- Large windows are a part of commonly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it hard to control temperatures.
Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?
Usually, 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 expenses. However, there are options for single-stage equipment that also let you earn 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 spaces.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is special. The experts at Cooler Tymes LLC can help you decide whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s an ideal time to reexamine your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Cooler Tymes LLC, 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 623-208-6444 or arrange an appointment with us online.