Showing posts with label 9. Zoning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 9. Zoning. Show all posts
Should You Bypass A Forced Air Zoning Option?
Well, the answer is no, but that doesn’t make much of an article. As you read, please do consider that this is for the homeowner who has the money to make this an option. I understand that not everybody has the money within their budget to make these types of systems happen, especially since zoning is more than likely an after thought. However, that is why I am writing this, so hopefully you can plan for the extra expense which can be between $1,800-$3,500
Forced air zoning is defined as one that uses multiple thermostats and automatic dampers in your home’s ductwork, to intelligently control the air flow to every register in the house. Like a traffic cop, it directs the heated or cooled air only to the areas that require it. Since one thermostat is not "smart" enough to adequately sense your comfort needs everywhere throughout your house, a zoning system puts a thermostat in all the different areas of your home to guide the air exactly where it needs to be, and stop it from going where it is no longer needed.
If you think about it, not zoning a heating system is a little bit of a contradiction in thinking. Every home has zoning system in it, just not for the most expensive part; the heating. Think of it this way, when you go to turn the light switch on at the front door, does every light in the house come on? Of course not; we zone our lights. Why do we zone our lights? The number one answer: To save money. Look at the energy consumption of a 100 watt light bulb burning continually 365 days a year. At year’s end, it would average $30; the cost is minimal. So are we really saving money by turning off our lights? Or is it something that we’ve become accustomed to? Let’s also take a look at when we go to the kitchen and turn on that water faucet. Does every faucet in the house turn on? Of course not; we zone the water in our homes, too. Why? To save on our water bill!
Two out of three mechanical systems in our homes are zoned. But the most expensive one to operate is the HVAC system. Yet we will go into a home and place one thermostat in the middle of the house, usually in a hallway with no supply registers and one return. It will not sense east sun or west sun; it will not sense north wind or south wind. But we expect that system to keep all the rooms on the perimeter of the house the same temperature.
Why do we install this type of system? Because of competition. It is unfortunate, but to most heating contractors, winning the job is everything; not necessarily what is best for you or your homeowner. Now, I am not saying winning the job is not important, then I would have nothing to do, but it is recommended that we meet with the homeowner once all the “apples to apples” bidding is over so we can access any real needs they have like Zoning, Humidity, Cooling for MS or Parkinson’s, asthma, etc.
Continue this conversation in the next articles: 10 Heating and Cooling Problems Solved by a Heating System, The Golden Rules of a Designing a Zoned System and The Different Types of Zoning Equipment
The Different Types of Zoning Equipment
Duct Mounted Zoning (no bypass) - not recommended
The best way to describe this type of zoning is “shoddy”. Do you have any heat registers closed in your home? If you do, this system is basically like closing of registers to a variaety of rooms in the home if you do not desire heating or cooling in those places. The difference between this and typical zoning systems is that while a advanced zoning system will turn the furnace on and off even if it is just the bonus room that needs heat, this system can only zone if the main room thermostat has activated the furnace. As well, just like closing your registers, this is an easy way to limit the life span of your furnace. This system is an example of an "over deliver / under perform" scenario.
Forced Air Zoning System (with bypass)
There are many brands of this type of zoning system, we have chosen UltraZone, but that does not mean there are not others that will do the job well, like Honeywell. The Forced Air Zoning System uses motorized dampers in your ductwork that open and close as needed based on each zone's thermostat settings. The damper system will control the airflow through the ductwork and deliver only the desired air to the desired location. Each thermostat has the ability to turn on and shut off the heating and cooling supply in it's zone. When a zone doesn't need to be heated or cooled, the dampers close to save energy and maximize comfort elsewhere. It's that simple. This system does require a bypass or blow-off valve to allow excess air not being used by the zoning system to cycle back to the furnace. These types of sytems are generally used in conjuntion with Honeywell thermostats.
Carrier Infinity Forced Air Zoning System
While there are many types of forced air zoning, there is only one Infinity System. This zoning system is so advanced that it has the ability operate without a bypass, giving you, hands down, the most efficient zoning system available. Automatically communicating with all the heating, cooling and air cleaning components attached to it, the Infinity Zone Control is so easy to use it makes installing and using a standard forced air zoning system seem like rocket science.
On March 7, 2007, this system won the prestigious Home Magazine 2007 Building Product Award, here is the clip,
“Carrier is proud to announce that Home Magazine has recognized the Carrier Infinity™ System as a 2007 Building Product Award winner for its innovation and energy efficiency. Each year, Home Magazine reviews hundreds of building remodeling goods in search of innovative, eco-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing products for its Building Product Awards. These awards are only granted to products that help make peoples lives more enjoyable and comfortable, and their homes more functional. Carriers Infinity System with HybridHeat™ technology is a leading product in this category, and Home Magazine is showcasing it in their March 2007 issue.
'As fuel and energy costs continue to rise, homeowners are becoming increasingly focused on saving money,' says Halsey Cook, President, Carrier Residential Light Commercial Systems,
The Carrier HybridHeat system doesn't sacrifice convenience or comfort while helping homeowners reduce their heating costs. Once the controls are set properly (based on local conditions and energy costs), the system selects the most cost-effective heat pump and gas heat operating modes automatically. In addition, Infinity™ Controls offer unmatched capability for controlling humidity, air quality, ventilation, and fan speeds. Infinity Controls give homeowners the option of seven-day programming of up to eight different zones at varying temperatures. The Carrier Infinity System meets the new 2006 Energy Star requirements and offers the efficiency and comfort of two-stage cooling and two-stage gas heating, along with many other advanced features and benefits. 'This award reflects Carrier's continued investment in product innovation and technology,' said Mike Branson, Carrier brand manager for Residential Light Commercial Systems. 'We are honored and excited to receive this recognition.'
'As a leader in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) innovation and technology, Carrier continues to raise the standard for HVAC product excellence and innovative design,' Cook added."
Well, that about says it, but if you would like to see the brochure, CLICK HERE
10 Heating & Cooling Problems Solved with a Zoning System:
- Comfort problems between different floors
- Comfort problems in finished basements
- Comfort problems in home additions
- Comfort problems in added sun rooms
- Comfort problems in rooms with cathedral ceilings
- Comfort problems in internal areas that tend to overheat or over cool
- Comfort problems due to uncontrollable elements like wind or "sun heat" generated in rooms with large amounts of glass
- Comfort problems in bedrooms located at the far end of larger ranch style homes
- Comfort problems in popular "bonus" rooms located over garages
- Comfort problems caused by rogue elements like fireplaces, excessive track lighting, spas or heat producing equipment
The Golden Rules of Designing a Zoned System
You may not be able to follow every rule, but if you at least take them into consideration you’ll avoid a lot of trouble.1) Never combine different floors on the same zone. The fact that hot air rises, and cold air falls will sink you before you even begin. As everyone knows, there’s nothing worse than a hot head or cold feet!
2) Never zone rooms of different construction types in the same zone. For an example, a new addition should always have it’s own thermostat since it t typically has better insulation than the rest of the home, and it will react differently than older sections of the home.
3) Never zone rooms that have perimeter wall areas with rooms that are entirely internal to the structure since they are not affected by the outside temperature changes. All internal rooms should be grouped together whenever possible.
4) All thermostats should be located in the room used the most in any area. Just like with non-zoned systems thermostats should never be installed in hallways, unless the customer plans on doing most of his living there.
5) Never put rooms with conflicting solar or mechanically generated heat loads on the same zone. For example don’t put a east facing room that receives a heavy morning sun load onto the same zone as a western facing room.
6) Always try to have a minimum of two registers for any one zone. This keeps the air flow more stable, and guarantees airflow when the customers dog decides to nap on top of one.
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