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 want to figure out things to do. You’re possibly a little worried about the kids being out on their own for the first time. One factor you might want to include on that list of things to think about: A freshly 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 energy costs 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 lower amounts of energy, that doesn’t mean you can’t be more efficient with the energy you do utilize. With some open spaces, you’re spending money to heat and cool spaces you’re not even using. Shutting the doors and vents in those rooms won’t solve that—in fact, you’ll possibly 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 divert the air where it’s needed. In homes where temperature control is a struggle, 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 away, 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.
Best of all, you can save energy and costs using a zoning system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could experience 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 up with their home comfort. They’re also a smart choice for homes where:
- Temperature differs noticeably between different floors or rooms in the home.
- Large windows are a part of commonly used rooms.
- High ceilings make it challenging to regulate 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 solutions for single-stage equipment that also let you reap 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 professionals at Brookwood Inc can help you choose 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 Brookwood Inc, our goal is to ensure you’re comfortable and your system is operating as efficiently as possible. If you want to hear more on how a zoned system could help, call our experts at 641-316-9803 or book an appointment with us online.