The weather in Virginia can be extreme, which probably means you’re using your heating and cooling system every day. Whether it’s the hot humid summer, the damp spring and autumn months, or the surprising dips below freezing in the winter, many area homes are relying on their HVAC unit year round.
Modern technology can be absolutely amazing, and when the conditions outside are brutal, we’re grateful for the ability to stay comfortable at the flip of a switch. That comfort, however, comes at a price. If you’ve been looking for ways to cut your energy bill, you might want to consider a zone control system.
What is Zoning?
Chances are, the members of your family aren’t occupying every square foot of your home at every minute of the day. As such, you’ll be wasting a lot of money cooling or heating empty rooms and spaces.
If all of your bedrooms are upstairs, for example, they could be designated to their own zone. The basement, kitchen, and dining room could be in another. Once you’ve grouped these rooms into zones, the temperature can be controlled independently.
This is accomplished by supplying each zone with its own dedicated thermostat along with adapting your home’s ductwork. Of course, you’ll still be able to use a central thermostat to control the overall temperature inside your home, if needed.
Better Temperature Control
When you’re in bed at night, the rest of your home doesn’t need to be cooled or heated. If you work from home, you’ll want your work area to be comfortable, while the rest of the house might not matter as much. We could come up with dozens of examples, but you get the point!
Perhaps, you’d prefer to keep your living room cooler so you can make use of a fireplace or you like your basement to be a little toastier than the other areas of your home because it tends to stay cooler than the rest of the house. Rather than wasting energy on heating or cooling areas that don’t need it, a zoning system allows you to have better control over the temperature in each room.
Improve Efficiency
One of the best ways to ensure you get the most out of your HVAC unit is to prevent it from working any harder than it needs to. Along with regular maintenance, a great way to accomplish this is to implement a zoning system.
Rather than needlessly maintaining the ideal temperature throughout the entire house, your heating and cooling system will be focusing on specific zones. This can result in fewer breakdowns and lessen wear and tear over time. Of course, when your HVAC is working more efficiently, it will be easier on your wallet, too!
Add a Programmable Thermostat
Want to take your energy-saving efforts to the next level? Use a programmable thermostat in your home. This is the perfect complement to a zoning system because they work on the same principle — avoiding cooling or heating rooms that don’t need it!
With a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to create a schedule for when each area receives attention. If the bedrooms are all in one zone, you can time your heat or air conditioning to come on just before bedtime, for example. Just set it and forget it!
Are Zoning Systems Expensive?
While not all traditional units are compatible, many homeowners will be pleasantly surprised by the fact that a zoning system can be added to their existing HVAC equipment. This is a very cost-effective option because you’ll be able to reap the benefits without having to replace everything.
Also, when you upgrade, you’ll also have access to the most updated features. Combatting the Richmond temperature extremes and humidity will be easier than ever with zoning, allowing your family to enjoy your home to the fullest.
Get a Free Consultation!
Need to know more about zoning before you make a decision? We completely understand! Making any changes to your home can be overwhelming and modifying your HVAC system is an investment. You want to make sure your hard-earned money is going to the right places, and we do, too — that’s why we offer a no-obligation, free consultation!
The professionals at W.G. Speeks can provide recommendations based on the specific needs of your home and family. A zoning system can make you more comfortable while helping your HVAC system run more efficiently. Ready to save money? Call W.G. Speeks and we’ll show you how to do it!
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