Perfectly Comfortable - The Same Temperature Everywhere in Your Home
Posted on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 @ 10:00 AM
Too Warm or Too Cold....
In many homes, there are rooms that are always warmer or colder than
others. Becauses heat rises, upper floors are often too warm and basements are too cold. Rooms that receive long hours of sunlight are difficult to moderate as are rooms with vaulted ceilings. If a fireplace is used in a room near where the thermostat is mounted, the rest of the house will become cold as well.
System Zoning
Solving the "too warm or too cold" problem is actually fairly easy. It is through the use of system zoning that consistent temperature throughout your home can be achieved. Zoning is simply the process of dividing your home into different "zones" and then heating or cooling them as needed. This is the ideal way to eliminate hot and cold areas and also saves energy by only heating or cooling the areas of your home that you are using. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, heating and cooling a home typically account for as much as 40% of total utility costs so system zoning makes a lot of sense. Zoning does not increase the efficiency of your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner but rather increases the overall efficiency of your system by directing heating or cooling to where you need it.
How Zoning Works
Your home is basically divided in to three or four "zones" that have similar comfort needs. A system of electronic thermostats and electronically controlled dampers automatically adjusts the temperature in each of these zones. Typically the existing ductwork in your home will be fine as it is, but your HVAC professional can confirm this. Installing a zoning system is not a do-it-yourself project for most homeowners so the best course of action is to contact a qualified HVAC company and discuss your heating and cooling issues with them. They will be able to put together a zoning system that will keep your family more comfortable and save you money each and every month.
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