Key Elements Of A Well-Designed Zoning System

Looking to add a well-designed zoning system to your home? Doing so will put you on the road to better comfort and more efficient use of your existing HVAC equipment. But while the concept of using a zoning system is definitely one that will meet these goals, if the system isn't properly designed, you'll be less than satisfied with the results -- and you'll decrease the return on investment in the zoning system itself.

To ensure best results, talk to your contractor about these principles for a well-designed zoning system:

• Develop zones based on how many stories your home has – Failing to separate the first floor from the second floor will have disastrous results. That's because hot air will always rise to the top of your home, causing the second floor to be hotter than the first floor. With each floor as a separate zone, you can deliver more conditioned air to the second floor, without affecting the unique temperature-control needs of the first floor.
• Consider construction materials – If you have an add-on or remodeled space that uses more efficient materials than the rest of your home, this space should be designated as its own zone.
• Separate exterior rooms from interior rooms – Rooms that sit along the home's exterior wall will have higher heating and cooling needs than rooms that are isolated from the exterior wall. If you were to include an interior and exterior room in one zone, you'd likely be unsatisfied with the comfort the zoning system provides.
• Take heat gain into consideration – Similar to the previous point, heat gain through windows will also affect zoning guidelines. Avoid grouping a room that has large window expanses together with a room that has one or more smaller windows, as the room with the larger window will require more cooling.
• Carefully select the thermostat's position – When installing the thermostats in each zone, and particularly for zones that include more than one room, the best place for it is in the most-used room, which will give you an accurate and comfortable reading.

Before taking additional steps, make sure your contractor can meet the principles of a well-designed zoning system. You'll be glad you took the time to plan optimal zone design so that you can enjoy your home for many years to come. Need more information? Contact us at Jones-Rogers Inc. today. We proudly serve homeowners in northern Virginia.