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 consider: A recently 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 observe is some of your utility costs 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 can’t be more efficient with the energy you do use. With some open spaces, you’re spending money to heat and cool rooms 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 going that route. Zoning can help.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system manages the air in your HVAC to target specific regions—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 especially helpful. Rather than fight 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 expenses each month. With a zoning system, you can create different zones in your home and manage them individually. When the kids are away, 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 costs 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 maintaining comfort levels. They’re also a smart choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs noticeably between different floors or areas of the home.
- Large windows are a part of commonly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging 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 run at peak efficiency—so you can save energy and costs. However, there are options for single-stage equipment that also let you realize 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 rooms.
Every home’s heating and cooling set up is different. The professionals at Age Heating & Cooling can help you determine whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s a perfect time to reexamine your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Age Heating & Cooling, our goal is to confirm that 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 208-578-4258 or book an appointment with us online.