Zone Air Conditioning Guide – Everything You Need to Know in 2022

It can be a challenge to find the right temperature for everyone. Zone Air conditioning provides a unique solution by allowing you to change temperatures in different zones or rooms in your home. So today, we will look at zoning systems, their pros and cons, and see if they are the right fit for you. 

What is zone air conditioning? (AC zoning) 

Zone air conditioning is a system that uses dampers in the ductwork to regulate and redirect air to specific areas of your home. This allows for creating varied temperatures for individual home rooms that can increase comfort and energy efficiency. 

When should you use AC zoning?

AC zoning is appropriate for your home if you have a multi-level or particularly tall home. In addition, any rooms that have drastic temperature shifts, such as rooms with poor insulation or large windows, are ideal for AC zoning. 

The advantages and disadvantages of zone air-conditioning

AC zoning affords your home a few benefits and drawbacks:

Advantages

Here are some of the primary benefits that zoning will provide:

• Energy efficient-Focused areas mean no wasted energy, as just the rooms you want will be heated. In addition to saving energy, zoning means that your HVAC equipment will last longer as it doesn’t have to work as hard. 

• Focused areas-Focused areas mean that all home members can now freely choose what temperature they want. One room can be warm, whereas another can be cold, so there is no in-fighting or discomfort for any household members.

• Higher air quality-AC zoning can help improve your air quality as you have greater control over your temperature. Prolonged use of your AC unit will help filter out moisture and keep your home safe from harmful gasses. 

Disadvantages

There are some drawbacks to an AC zoning system:

• Significantly higher installation costs- Zoning your home will require multiple thermostats and additional units, drastically impacting your installation costs. AC zoning can have a heavy initial cost compared to the standard Central Air system. 

• Requires more space for the units-In addition to cost, AC zoning will require more specialized equipment to be installed, which needs to be balanced with your ductwork infrastructure. You will need a specialized expert to install the zoning system. 

• Difficult maintenance-Repairing and maintaining a zoning system is more complex than a standard AC unit as there are more pieces to the equation. With more specialized components, it can be more challenging to repair. In addition, a zoning system will require more maintenance than a central air system. 

What do you need for zoned air conditioning

Here is what you will need for a zone AC system:

• Indoor unit-The indoor unit houses the evaporator coils and filter

• Outdoor unit-The outdoor unit houses the condensing coil, fan, and compressor.

• Controlled units-Both the indoor and outdoor units are linked to a centralized control that is split among multiple thermostats.

• Transformer-The transformer powers the thermostat and allows it to communicate with the other systems.

• Sensors-The zone sensor is designed to sense the temperature in the zone and interact with the thermostat to control the heating and air.
• Dampers-An HVAC damper is a movable plate placed in the ductwork that regulates airflow and redirects it to specific areas, creating a zoning system. 

How does Zone Air Conditioning work?

1. Divide your home into HVAC zones
2. Each divided zone receives a thermostat that controls the temperatures in each zone
3. All thermostats are connected to one central control
4. Dampers are placed in the ductwork to regulate airflow
5. When a specific temperature is reached, the dampers will close and prevent additional airflow
6. Temperature changes are relayed to the central control panel and can be changed to allow each zone a different temperature.

The average cost of AC zone units

Here are the average costs to install an AC zone:

• 2-zone-$1500-2,800
• 3-zone- $1800-3,500
• 4-zone $2,000-3,500
• Additional zones-$225-500

How to choose your HVAC company to install your Zoned A/C

Here are some tips to help you choose the right HVAC company to install your new system. 

• Research and reviews-There are many HVAC companies on the market, so it’s essential to do your research and consult reviews. Proper research can help you determine which companies are trustworthy and knowledgeable. Without proper research, you can end up with an unreliable HVAC company or get overcharged for services. 

• Contact the HVAC company and schedule an appointment-The next step is to contact the HVAC company and schedule an appointment. This allows you to plan and scope out the availability of this HVAC company. 

• Receive a quote-Receive a quote so you can determine if you want to do business or not. Many companies will provide a free quote before a job, so you have a fair amount of room to decide. 

• Start the installation process-After receiving a quote; you are ready to start the installation process!

If Zone AC seems right for you, call Fix-it 24/7. Our expert technicians have the knowledge and experience to install this complex system and are available 24 hours a day, including holidays and weekends. So call us today to alleviate your stress and make your home comfortable for years to come.