A large home is a wonderful thing to have, but it also brings unique challenges—like finding efficient ways to keep it comfortably cool during the summer months, a task that smaller homes typically handle more easily. HVAC zoning is an especially effective way to deal with all these problems. Here are a few ways in which zoned HVAC systems are particularly beneficial for larger homes in Berryville, VA.
Versatility
A large house will probably have more occupants than a smaller one, and the chances that all of them will have the same indoor comfort preferences are slim. Luckily, zoned HVAC systems exist precisely to tackle such an issue.
You can introduce HVAC zoning in your home in a variety of different ways. For example, if you choose to buy a ductless mini-split system, that system will have a series of air handler units, each of which will correspond to a distinct indoor comfort zone.
More typically, however, you’d add zoning to a traditional central HVAC system’s capabilities by placing dampers on each of its ducts or air vents. This will have the effect of regulating when treated air passes to a given area of your home and when it does not.
However you decide to set up zoning, it will have the effect of dividing your home into a number of separate sections, each of which can have its own cooling or heating policy. You can then use smart thermostats to program different ideal temperatures and different schedules of operation into each zone. This versatility will allow everyone living in your home to enjoy their preferences without interfering with those of others.
Higher Efficiency
Not every corner of your home requires constant cooling from your HVAC system. Running the AC to cool an empty room wastes energy—especially during the summer heat. Unfortunately, if your HVAC operates on a one-size-fits-all approach, avoiding this kind of inefficiency might be nearly impossible.
Fortunately, zoning is exactly how you can get around this. With zoning, if certain areas do not require cooling at certain times, you can configure your system to stop sending treated air to those areas. This will maximize its efficiency, thereby minimizing the stress it needs to endure and keeping your utility bills as low as possible.
Lower Repair Costs
The reduced system stress that zoning affords has other spillover benefits. One of these is that your system will be less likely to malfunction or break down at any given time. So, over the course of your HVAC system’s lifespan, you’ll probably end up needing to spend less on repairs than you would have if you had not chosen to use HVAC zoning.
Of course, to truly maximize this benefit, you will need to take proper care of your HVAC system in all areas. This means, among other things, that you will have to change its air filters before they can become so clogged with debris as to hinder airflow, and it especially means that you’ll need to schedule general system maintenance.
If you have a traditional HVAC system, you should change the filters at least once every three months. Ductless mini splits will require you to clean the filters in each air handler once every two weeks. You should arrange to have preventive maintenance done on your system at least once a year.
Longer System Lifespan
Finally, there is the crowning long-term benefit of using HVAC zoning: a longer lifespan for your system. By keeping stress on your system relatively low, zoning can contribute to helping it remain effective for as long as possible.
Everything mentioned about proper system maintenance applies here as well. Regular tune-ups, thorough cleanings, and reliable protection from flying debris are essential to ensuring your HVAC system reaches its full lifespan.
HVAC zoning offers both direct and indirect benefits, and the advantages become even more pronounced in larger homes. Ready to experience the difference? Call Griffith Energy Services today to schedule HVAC services in Berryville, VA, and start enjoying greater comfort and efficiency.
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