The HVAC Zoning Guide for Empty Nesters

If you’re on the path to an empty nest, you’ve got a lot on your mind. You have more free time in your future you’ll need to fill. You’re likely 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 ponder: A recently emptied nest changes the way you can use energy efficiently.

Once your kids are all packed up and on their way, one of the first things you’ll observe is some of your bills 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 a reduced amount of energy, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t be more efficient with the energy you do consume. With some open rooms, you’re racking up expenses to heat and cool rooms you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t fix that—in fact, you’ll likely use more energy and put a strain on your HVAC that way. 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 focus the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is a struggle, zoning systems can be particularly helpful. Rather than fight 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 useful for empty nesters who want to save energy and expenses each month. With a zoning system, you can design different zones in your home and regulate them individually. When the kids are gone, 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.

Best of all, you can save energy and money 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 Ponder Zoning?

Zoning systems are a great fit for empty nesters who want to save energy while keeping their space just as comfortable as before. They’re also a smart choice for homes where:

Temperature differs radically between different floors or rooms in the home.
Large windows are a part of frequently used rooms.
High ceilings make it hard to control temperatures.

Will Zoning Work with My Existing HVAC?

Usually, 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 realize 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 spaces.

Every home’s heating and cooling set up is different. The team at Abilene Air-Tech Inc can help you determine whether zoning makes sense for you.

An empty nest is a big change—so it’s an ideal time to reevaluate your heating and cooling system to see if it’s meeting your needs. At Abilene Air-Tech Inc, our goal is to make sure you’re comfortable and your system is working as efficiently as possible. If you want to hear more on how a zoned system could help, contact us at (325) 692-5850 or arrange an appointment with us online.