If you live in a home that cannot seem to maintain a proper temperature, you should consider installing a zone controller. What exactly is a zone controller, though? How does it work? What types of homes use them? This article will go over these questions and more, to help you decide if a zone controller is right for you.
What Is a Zone Controller?
Most homes have their temperature controlled by means of an HVAC system that is single-zoned. This means that beyond opening and closing the vents or utilizing the sun using your curtains, you have very little control over the temperature in the individual areas of your home. Having a zone-controlled system solves this dilemma by separating your home into separate areas, or “zones,” and allowing for independently adjusting the temperature. This kind of home heating and cooling versatility provides you with the ability to have various rooms in your home dialed in for maximum comfort. Using a zone controller makes your HVAC system more efficient and effective.
What Kinds of Homes Use Zone Controllers?
It’s most typical for homes with more than one story to utilize a zone-controlled system. This is because heat rises, which can wind up leaving the upper level of a home very toasty while the lower level remains cooler. This is especially true if the thermostat in a home is located on the lower floor, which it predominantly is. This can be frustrating, as it can seem like all levels of your home are not equally comfortable, no matter where you set the thermostat. During the summer, the upper level of your home might be intolerable to spend time in since heat is getting trapped up there. In the colder months, you might end up having your heating bill skyrocket from having to run your HVAC system longer to help warm up the lower level of your home. With a zone-controlled system, you can make sure that all levels of your home reach the desired temperature.
There are other reasons why a homeowner might opt for zone-controlling.
High Ceilings
The issue of heat rising is not relegated only to multi-level homes. Homes that are single-story but have particularly high ceilings can have temperature issues as well. This is because, in a home that has a room with a high ceiling, the heat gets trapped up top, leaving the room cold down where you and your loved ones actually congregate. Having a zone controller can fix this issue by raising the temperature of the room with greater frequency, allowing a high-ceilinged room to stay warmer overall. Having this room be a separate zone also makes sure that room is comfortable, without overheating the rest of your household.
Rooms With Windows
If you have rooms with large windows, these are likely some of the warmest rooms in your home due to the increased sunlight exposure. As mentioned earlier, some of the temperature can be controlled by means of curtains, but it is unlikely that you will be able to completely eliminate the temperature difference. This is particularly true for rooms that have many windows, some of which are too high to cover with curtains. Zone control provides you with the ability to make these rooms their own zones.
Added-on Rooms
If you have converted your attic into a room, you may find it to be unbearably warm. The opposite could be true if you have made the basement into an additional bedroom or workspace studio, as these areas can be quite chilly in the winter. Some homeowners opt to make an extra room above their garage, which creates another temperature control issue. In any of these scenarios, the ability to create independent zones is a major win.
Large House Sprawl
If you have a house that sprawls far beyond the main living area and the far end is a great distance from the thermostat, you might find it difficult to maintain a consistent temperature throughout. A zone-controlled system can remedy this.
Household Member Preferences
Some members of your household might simply like to keep their room warmer or cooler than others. This is often the case in multi-generational homes. For example, you might have an elderly person in your home who likes to have the heat higher than is comfortable for anyone else in your family. With zone control, they can have their room as toasty as they like, while the other people in your home aren’t sweltering hot. You might have a family member who uses a particular room to work out and might like to keep it cooler in there for when they work up a sweat. There are all kinds of reasons why different members of your household might want rooms to be cooler or warmer than other areas, and a zone controller makes that desire a reality.
How Does Zone Controlling Work?
Having a zone-controlled system in your home relies on three main parts. In a zone-controlled system, you have motorized dampers that are mounted inside the ductwork. These serve to control the airflow to the different areas of your home that get designated as particular zones when the dampers are installed. In a zone-controlled environment, you also have individual thermostats for each zone, allowing for personalized temperature control. There is also a central control panel, which acts as the brain of the entire system. With the control panel, you can let the dampers know what to do, opening and closing depending on the temperature needs of the various zones.
The Benefits of a Zone Controller
Aside from simply having control over the comfort level throughout your home, having a zone controller provides a number of other benefits:
- Higher HVAC system efficiency
- Longer HVAC system lifespan
- Quieter operation of HVAC system
- Lower energy costs
- Improved indoor air quality
Your Frederick Zone Controller Specialists
If you are a homeowner in Frederick, MD, or the surrounding area and are interested in zone control, our team at Markool Heating & Cooling is here to help. We have over 20 years of experience in the industry and understand how important it is to find an HVAC company that you can trust. Our highly skilled technicians can walk you through every step of the zone controller process, ensuring that you end up with a system that works perfectly for your individual needs. At Markool Heating & Cooling, our technicians are all NATE certified, which means that we have the knowledge and experience to meet all of your heating and cooling needs. That means that we can not only help set you up with a zone controller but also handle all of the AC repairs and furnace maintenance of everything related to your HVAC system. You also don’t need to look elsewhere when you need plumbing services, as we provide everything from water heater services to drain cleaning as well.
To take the first step towards having a zone controller in your home, give Markool Heating & Cooling a call today.
