If you’re on your way 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 probably a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One thing you might want to include on that list of things to consider: A recently 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 utility costs will decrease. After all, there are less people using the resources in your home—from water and food to electricity.
But even though you’re using less energy, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open rooms, 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 is a possible solution.
What is Zoning?
A zoned heating and cooling system manages the air in your HVAC to narrow in on specific areas—or zones—in your home. They use dampers to divert the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is challenging, zoning systems can be even more helpful. Rather than battle 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 expenses each month. With a zoning system, you can create different zones in your home and regulate them individually. When the kids are gone, you can set the temperature in their room to use less energy. When they come back to visit, you make a small adjustment 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 Consider Zoning?
Zoning systems are a perfect fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while maintaining comfort levels. They’re also a great choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs radically between different floors or areas of the home.
- Large windows are a part of frequently used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging to maintain temperatures.
Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?
Typically, zoning works best for houses that have a multi-stage variable capacity HVAC system. This ensures it can operate at peak efficiency—so you can save energy and costs. However, there are options 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 distinctive. The team at Stanford Heating & Cooling can help you decide whether zoning makes sense for you.
An empty nest is a big change—so it’s a great time to reevaluate your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Stanford Heating & Cooling, our goal is to ensure 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, call our experts at 812-825-8695 or book an appointment with us online.