Homeowners who are mindful of the environment (and their pocketbooks) might have already heard the latest buzz about “ZONING” (a.k.a. zoned heating and cooling systems.)
"Smart" Vents - hype or innovation?
Other HVACCommentReplace ANY zone pannel with SmartZone
Zone Control InfoCommentNo more need to track down a replacement zone panel... SmartZone is the only one you need.
SmartZone is the simple solution to any zone control system replacement or new install. It has all the features to control any equipment type: Heat Pump, Dual Fuel, Gas, Electric, Single Stage, Multistage... even Fresh Air vent integration. We have customer after customer tell us that once they use SmartZone for the first time, they are hooked. Contractors love the features and homeowners love the simplicity and reliability... not to mention, SmartZone has the best cost and value available.
Here is a short list of just a few of the zone controllers that can be replaced by SmartZone:
- Honeywell TrueZone (HZ221, HZ311, HZ322, HZ432)
- EWC UltraZone
- Jackson Systems
- Carrier ComfortZone
- Zonefirst
- Durozone
- Zonex
- Many more
Find out more
Best damper motor (actuator) on the market... we tested them all.
ProductsCommentWell, maybe not technically ALL of them but dozens and even more than in this photo.
We narrowed down by specs that would work for us first. Between 30 and 60 second travel time, 90 deg rotation, at least 1.5nM torque, lower than 3.5VA power consumption, 24Vac operation, clutch free movement, minimum open/close, range of 3/8" to 1/2" shaft and more. Once we narrowed down to here we still had about 6 or 8 motors and we tested the top 5 for full 10 year accelerated life and field testing. Some we even used in production for a while. We are now confident when we proclaim that the Belimo motor that is made for ecojay and we sell with SmartZone wins in all categories... reliability, noise & installation/setup.
Every HVAC contractor should have a SmartZone on the truck!
Zone Control Info1 CommentSmartZone system-overview diagram
CommentThis basic diagram shows how SmartZone is connected to all of the pieces of the zoning system including thermostats and zone dampers.
Click to enlarge.
For more details about wiring, installation & configuration of Zone Control systems, check out the installation information on the SmartZone Install Guide
2, 3, or 4 Zone KITS
from $599.00
- Zone Controller (SmartZone)
- Pro-Grade Round Zone Supply Dampers*
- Bypass Damper (Round Barometric)
- 40VA 24VAC Power Transformer
* Select each size when "Adding to Cart"
NOTE: All dampers subject to a 10% restocking fee.
# of Zones:
Damper Sizes:
Bypass:
Quantity:
In a nutshell - SmartZone benefits
1 Comment
ECOJAY SmartZone residential & light commercial zoning Controllers are easily configurable to satisfy a wide range of application and equipment requirements. Simple installation and setup make smartzone perfect for CHANGE-OUT, RETRO-FIT, NEW-INSTALL and UPGRADES. brightly-lit LED display shows system mode & status information as well as, temperature readout from included supply sensor. Color-coded LED's on all wiring connectors simplify troubleshooting by showing all inputs and outputs without using a voltmeter. SmartZone maximizes equipment efficiency & protection with exclusive built-in ‘Time & temp’ staging controls. Universal compatibility means smartzone works with all equipment types (Heat Pump, Dual Fuel, Gas, Electric, etc), thermostats & 24V dampers. Time-saving and exclusive features like Fresh-Air, SmartLINK for up to 20 zones & push-in terminals make SmartZone the smart choice.
Why SmartZone is the best zone controller.
Zone Control InfoComment- Screwless wiring (push-in) – No screwdriver required
- Color coded leds show inputs and outputs on every terminal – no voltmeter required
- EASY pushbutton & dip switch setup makes configuration a snap and confirmation of settings in just a glance – NO manual needed
- Temperature sensor included & supply temp displayed on the bright led display, visible even in the dark – NO flashlight needed
- MODES SHOWN ON DISPLAY tell you what the board is doing at all times in plain english – NO guessing what codes mean
- SmartZone can be used with any equipment – Heat Pump, Gas, Electric, radiant, geothermal, etc. as long as it is controlled by 24v.
- Single-stage & Multi-Stage equipment can be used (3 heat & 2 cooling stages)
- Heat pump equipment can be used with auxiliary & emergency heat – both electric and dual fuel - flawlessly with SmartZone (requires heat pump thermostat connected to Zone 1)
- SmartZone can be paired with any thermostat from the most expensive WiFi stat to the cheapest mechanical thermostat.
- Any 24v damper (Spring or power) can be controlled by SmartZone
- Smartzone has exclusive advanced features:
- - Economy Mode allows setback of all zones with the flip of a switch. When in eco mode, the system will only energize if zone 1 makes a call. This feature is great for vacations or if some of the zones are rarely used.
- - Fresh air control allows control of an outside air damper and the system fan on a schedule to bring in fresh air in a prescribed amount. If fresh air control is required, smartzone-4x has it covered with no additional controls required. Save $
- - Smartlink: expand to 20 zones by simply connecting multiple 4X boards together with the smartlink bus. Easiest & most cost effective system for more than 5 zones!
- Smart staging & limit protection – by using a sophisticated time and temperature algorithm perfected over decades of programming, smartzone stages up and down in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
- 2nd stage lockout – by setting this dip switch, smartzone will only allow 2nd stage if more than one zone is calling
- Stage from zone 1 thermostat – allows for a multi-stage thermostat to be connected to zone 1 and control zoning instead of SmartZone (not recommended in typical circumstances)
Damper Wiring: Yet another 5-terminal damper style wired to SmartZone
Support1 CommentWe confirmed today, thanks to a helpful customer, how another DuroZone damper wires using 3 wires (even though it has 5 terminals).
If your damper motors look like the one shown, wire to SmartZone as shown.
Another DuroZone model… on this model it is reported that some versions TERMINAL 4 (the blue wire shown) goes to CLOSE instead of OPEN.
If your motors looks different than this, see our other posts about damper wiring:
4-Terminal and 8-Terminal Damper Wiring
If the motors you have are not compatible with SmartZone, you still don't have to replace the whole damper. You can replace just the motor (actuator) on just about any standard residential damper with the SmartZone / Belimo motor.
Retro thermostat... 1982 Electronics Guide review of Magic-Stat
Other HVAC1 Comment
Published in Playboy's Electronic Entertainment guide in Fall 1982.
This is off of our normal subject but I came across this old magazine that includes other articles like "There's more to life than Pac-Man: How to beat Donkey Kong" and "What computers can do for you" which says that "VisiCalc is the most popular program of all time with 250,000 copies sold". And it included a scathing review of this Magic-Stat product. Sold for $79 mail order. At first glance, I thought it was just another ugly thermostats in a long history that still goes on today. Then i read the article which explains a "LEARN" mode that makes it easier to set much like the nest would do decades later. Also, it claims to have what is now reffered to as "adaptive recovery". This is where the thermostat starts the equipment before the set time so it can get the home to temperature at a specified time instead of just starting to get to temperature at the time of setpoint. I haven't done any fact-checking, but it says they are the first thermostat to do this... too bad it took 20 years for this to become a more standard feature.
Here are a few more pics I took of the magazine...i claim no rights or ownership of any of this material.
HVAC Zone Controls vs. Ductless Mini-Split Zoning
Zone Control InfoCommentSmartZone - The only zone control you'll need
Comment
The only Zone Control you will need! Over ten years to perfect the latest version of SmartZone design. Attention to detail during engineering SmartZone make it the ultimate combination of simplicity, features & compatibility. Contractors install our board every day with confidence and you can too. Most contractors that use SmartZone one time, never want to use anything else again on HVAC zoning applications because it is so easy to install and use.
SmartZone-2L Display - Makes Zoning simpler than ever!
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SmartZone 2L, sometimes we call it SmartZone-LITE, not because it has less capability but because it is so SIMPLE. It is the simplest even for a novice to understand. The display shows exactly what the zone control is doing (even the temperature)
Zoning System Troubleshooting
SupportCommentBecause a zone control system interacts with so many different parts (thermostats, transformers, heating/cooling equipment, dampers & temperature sensor), a zoning system can be daunting to troubleshoot when there is a problem. However, we have realized that there are really just a few common issues are the cause most all of the issues. With a combined 20+ years of zoning questions and technical support calls, we have tried here to boil down to the top 5 reason 99% of zoning systems have a problem. These do not include a potential problem with the configuration of the Zone Control itself. The troubleshooting of the zone control configuration is covered well in most Installation Guides.
1. Equipment
Refrigerant charge, fan speed, wiring, power, etc.
Always verify that the equipment is working properly first!
2. Thermostats
a. Incompatible with zone panel
b. Defective thermostat
c. Wiring defect
3. Zone Dampers
a. Actuator failure
b. Mechanical failure
c. DUCT Sizing (not enough or too much CFM)
d. Wiring defect
4. Bypass/Relief
a. Actuator failure
b. Sensor (Static Pressure sensor defect)
c. Mechanical failure
d. Setup (Modulating calibration or weight arm setting)
e. Orientation of installation (SPC or barometric bypass)
f. Improper sizing (not enough CFM capacity)
g. Wiring defect
5. Power
a. Transformer fuse
b. Wiring defect
c. Primary circuit problem (shared/capacity, breaker)
d. Improperly sized transformer (not enough VA)
For help troubleshooting your system contact the experts at zoningsupply.com directly via email or phone.
EASIEST TO TROUBLESHOOT ZONE CONTROL ON THE MARKET:
HVAC Zoning Bypass Explanation Animation
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This simple animation shows as the dampers close to each zone, one at a time, the bypass should gradually open until... when only one zone is left open, the bypass is open all the way. Airflow can be seen going back through the system to relieve the pressure in the duct. The purpose of bypass (pressure relief) is to minimize air noise at the register (air vent in the home) and to prevent over pressuring the duct system which can have many negative implications including not enough airflow.
Featured
Replace Honeywell Zone Controls with SmartZone
SupportCommentGood video that shows the basic wiring steps for replacing a honeywell truezone with SmartZone. The video features the HZ322 but also applies to the HZ432, HZ311, & HZ221
If you have any questions about replacing your zone control with SmartZone, contact us for expert zoning support!
Summer heat is on the way... get more comfort with SmartZone
ProductsCommentSmartZone can be used with any 24V Damper
SupportComment
There are many different models of 24VAC dampers available on the market. Some have 2-wires, some have 3 wires, some have 5 wires and some even have 8 wire terminals. Nearly all of these can be used with the SmartZone products (2L, 2X & 4X). Both 2 and 3 wire dampers are straight-forward to wire and even shown in the installation guide that comes with SmartZone. However, some of the less common types of dampers (4, 5, 6 & 8 wire) require a little more understanding. How to wire some of them are shown below.
If you have any other type of damper, please contact us and we will help you.
Better dampers available from ZoningSupply:
Replacing old 2-wire spring damper with a high quality ecojay damper
SupportCommentUPDATE: March 2017 - NEW Dampers available now. TAKE-OFF ROUND, INSERT ROUND & RECTANGLE Dampers all available now ... scroll down to see all damper models. OR click here.
Some older zone control panels have only two connectors for damper wiring (common & power-close). These were designed when predominately 2-wire (spring open) dampers were used for zoning. In recent years, 3-wire (power-open, power-close) dampers have become more common because of their low power consumption and higher reliability. You might think you have to upgrade your zoning panel to accommodate for these preferable 3-wire dampers... not with Ecojay dampers and belimo actuators. The wiring diagram below shows how to connect the Ecojay Power Damper to an older zone panel that is only designed to work with 2-wire dampers.
If you are planing to replace the zone controller with SmartZone, this diagram is NOT necessary.
If you have any questions, call or email us.
Featured
Zoned climate control in your car… why not your home?
Zone Control InfoComment
For many years, lots of car manufacturers have been putting separate passenger/driver/rear climate controls in cars. In such a small space, this could be seen a “silly” feature because the passenger & driver are in very close quarters. In most homes, however, heating and air conditioning systems still tend to have only ONE climate zone (one thermostat). Dual or multiple climate zones for a home makes much more since than in a car but is not nearly as often implemented. With SmartZone most existing heating & air conditioning equipment can be upgraded to have multiple climate controls (thermostats) in different areas. You could have a thermostat in the kitchen, bedroom and living room… comfort everywhere. Additionally, with SmartZone, areas that are not being used can be turned OFF to save energy. All the parts you need shipped for free from ZoningSupply.com Zoning experts standing by to answer any questions you have or help with system design.
Round gasket-ed blade, weight-arm style pressure relief (Bypass) damper.
NOTE: All dampers subject to a 10% restocking fee.