Zoned Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

Energy efficiency can be improved even more in central heating systems by introducing zoned heating. This allows a more granular application of heat, similar to non-central heating systems. Zones are controlled by multiple thermostats. For example in the summer time your upstairs may get warmer than lower levels of your house. A zoned system allows you to have the AC running upstairs while leaving it off on the lower levels. In water heating systems the thermostats control zone valves, and in forced air systems they control zone dampers inside the vents which selectively block the flow of air. In this case, the control system is very critical to maintaining a proper temperature. Zoned systems act much like multiple light switches that independently control lighting in different rooms. When the air temperature in a zone exceeds or becomes less than the desired temperature, the heating or air conditioning system will kick on. Dampers for that zone will open, disbursing air appropiately until the proper temperature is reached. Once that happens, the dampers close and the unit shuts down.