Why You Should Consider Getting A Zone System When You Replace Your Old Furnace

Posted on: 29 January 2016

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When you finally make the decision to replace your old furnace, you may also want to consider making some changes to the way your system heats your home. Replacing a furnace is a big investment, which is why you should thoroughly think this through before you go through with it. One type of upgrade you may want to make at this time is dividing your house into zones. If you currently have only one zone, adding a second one could offer several key benefits.

What Are Heating Zones?

When your furnace kicks on, it will make heat and deliver it to the rooms in your home. If your entire home has only one thermostat, it most likely means your house has only one zone. In this situation, your entire house would receive heat each time the furnace kicks on. Having one zone is fine if your house is small or has only one level, but having only one zone can cause problems if your home is large and has multiple floors.

In a multi-zone system each zone in a house contains a thermostat of its own, and this allows you to heat the zones as needed. A good way to understand this is by thinking of a two-story house. Heat naturally rises, which is why a two-story house with only one zone often gets too hot upstairs and not warm enough on the main floor. If the same house had two zones, the owner could heat each floor separately.

How Can You Separate A Home Into Two Zones?

The best time to separate a home into zones is when you get a new furnace, because you will already have a heating contractor at your home completing a job for you. When they install your new furnace, they can also separate your house into zones. This will cost extra to do, but it will offer several benefits that you will appreciate. To separate a house that has one zone into two separate zones, the contractor will need to perform the following steps:

  1. Install a zone control panel – You cannot have a zone system without this panel. A zone control panel controls each zone and is considered the communication between the furnace and the thermostats in each zone.
  2. Install another thermostat – The contractor will then need to install a separate thermostat that will control the second zone in the house.
  3. Install dampers in the air ducts – Finally, you will need to have dampers placed in the air ducts for the system to work. These will open and close as needed, and they will keep the heat separate from zone to zone.

Choosing to have your house separated into two zones is a smart decision to make when you replace your furnace.

What Benefits Will This Offer?

Having two zones in your house offers several benefits that you should know about. The first benefit is comfort. When you are able to have more control over the temperature in your entire home, you may have an easier time staying comfortable in all the rooms in your home. Instead of having one area that is always hot and one that is always cold, you will be able to adjust your thermostats so both areas are comfortable for you.

The second benefit is the money you may save on heating your house. When you can control the temperature, your furnace may run less, which will help you save money on your energy bills. This could amount to a 30% savings on your heating costs. You are also likely to save money on your bills simply from replacing an old furnace with a new one.

If you are ready to replace your old furnace and would like to learn more about zone systems, contact a company that offers heating installation services in your area, such as Glendale Heating & Air Conditioning