Despite their popularity, central heating and air conditioning aren’t perfect. The most common complaint with central forced air systems is that they offer a one-size-fits-all solution, and those rarely ever work well. Central air systems are often connected to one thermostat, usually located on an interior wall, which can only sense temperature changes in the immediate vicinity. When the system turns on, it heats or cools the entire house at once, regardless of whether or not people are occupying one room or many. It’s broad, inaccurate, and wasteful. That’s where zone control comes in. Read on to find out more about zone control systems, and why you should consider installing one.
What is it?
A zone control system consists of a series of dampers, installed in the duct junctions leading to each room in the house. A damper is essentially a large valve that opens or closes to allow air to travel down that section of ductwork. A thermostat is installed in each room, which corresponds to the damper leading to that room. When the temperature in a room provokes a response from the thermostat, the damper in the ducts opens to allow air to be circulated into the room.
Why Should I Install One?
Zone control systems offer much finer control over the environment in a person’s home. As each room has its own thermostat, it can choose whether it receives warm or cold air from the central system instead of being subjected to it every time the system turns on. This eliminates the hot and cold spots that often happen when the whole system is relying on one thermostat, which cannot sense the temperature in every room of the house.
Zone control systems also eliminate energy waste, by directing the air only where it is needed. If you and your family are all sitting in the living room, there is no need for the heater to warm the guest bedroom across the house. This way, you only spend money heating or cooling the areas that you are actually in.
If you’d like to know more about zone control systems, call G&S Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc. We install zone heating systems throughout Monroe.
