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 find ways to spend. You’re likely 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 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 fewer 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 use. With some open spaces, you’re spending money to heat and cool areas you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t fix that—in fact, you’ll probably use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC choosing that option. Zoning can help.
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 push 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 useful for empty nesters who want to save energy and money each month. With a zoning system, you can design different zones in your home and control 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 change 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 Ponder Zoning?
Zoning systems are a great fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while keeping up with their home comfort. They’re also a smart choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs dramatically between different floors or areas of the home.
- Large windows are a part of regularly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging to control temperatures.
Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?
Generally, zoning works best for residences 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 systems 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 rooms.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is special. The team at Farnell Mechanical, 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 reevaluate your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Farnell Mechanical, Inc., our goal is to ensure 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, contact us at 334-524-2458 or schedule an appointment with us online.