We have explained in other posts on ZoningSupply.com, when it comes to HVAC zoning, each application must be evaluated individually. Situations vary widely from building to building, but, in all cases HVAC Zone Control puts the user (homeowner, building manager, etc) in control of comfort.
Let's rewind, what is zoning? Homes and buildings that have "central" heating and air conditioning typically have 1 thermostat that controls the whole house temperature. With zoning, multiple thermostats can be placed throughout the house to better control temperature throughout. SmartZone connects to all of the thermostats & automatically controls dampers (air valves) installed in the air ducts. These air ducts direct air from the heating & cooling equipment to the different areas or "zones" of the home/building. The dampers allow SmartZone to direct air only where needed.
Once a SmartZone has been installed, you will have the ability to set each of the zone thermostats to whatever temperature or settings you desire. SmartZone will, within reason, keep each zone at the correct temperature by running the equipment and directing hot or cold air into the zones only when necessary. This achieves the purpose of comfort control to manage hot or cold areas of your home.
As for energy savings, if some of the zones are rarely used and can stay off for a sufficient amount of time, the equipment will run for a shorter time to heat or cool the rest of the building. This and other applications that allow the user to turn off or set-back one or more of the zones can, in some cases, result in energy savings. Some sources have published % energy savings possible with zoning, however, this is too arbitrary to have any real meaning. Like stated at the beginning, every application is different & the real possibility of energy savings is in the hands of the user and how the thermostats are set.
Zoning is an amazing solution to comfort issues and gives the user ultimate control over comfort throughout the home or building. However, zone control is NOT a magic bullet for energy savings. HVAC Zoning only puts more control in the hands of the user & it is ultimately the thermostats and how they are set that determines potential energy savings.
Use Wifi thermostats with SmartZone for ultimate control over comfort and energy use.
The reality is that in a normal home with one thermostat, the only way to get more "comfort" is to spend more energy (ie run the AC or heat). With zoning, you can stay more comfortable in some areas while reducing run-time by not heating/cooling other areas.
SmartZone is the best hvac zone control for upgrades or new-installs. Order today and install yourself of call any HVAC contractor in your area for installation.