Can a Smart Thermostat Control HVAC Zoning?

Zoning your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can improve the efficiency of your indoor climate control and save money on utility bills at the same time. Some homeowners are interested in adding a smart thermostat to their setup to reduce energy costs even more.

Whether or not that’s possible depends on your system and the thermostat you want to use. Let’s go over what’s involved and look at the options.

Why zone?

HVAC zoning is a common way to improve energy efficiency and save on utility costs by only heating or cooling the areas of your home which are being used at a given time. There are two types of zoning: sensor-based and system-based.

Sensor-based zoning is considered a casual approach that doesn’t require replacing your HVAC unit. Sensors are placed in each zoned area. The sensors feed data to a central thermostat that runs your HVAC until either an average temperature is reached for all zones or the desired temperature is reached for a specific zone.

On the other hand, system-based zoning lets you set a specific temperature for each zone. To achieve this, you will need to either install dampers within the HVAC system to control airflow or install individual air handlers in each room.

Why use a smart thermostat?

A programmable or “smart” thermostat automatically changes thermostat settings to achieve your desired results. For example, the thermostat can be set to turn up the temperature in your bathroom in advance of when you usually take your morning shower, or heat your home less when no one will be home for the day. Extending your vacation by an extra night? Use your phone to revise smart thermostat settings from afar.

Should you combine HVAC zoning with a smart thermostat?

Yes! To get all the energy-saving benefits of zoning, your home’s temperature must be carefully controlled and adjusted on a daily basis. A smart thermostat takes out all the guesswork and lets you gain maximum efficiency with minimal effort.

To combine zoning with intelligent thermostats, you’ll need to choose your thermostats, sensors, and HVAC system carefully to insure compatibility. Some types of zoned systems will need multiple smart thermostats. Also, intelligent thermostats need more power than regular ones, which may require installing a common wire to route more power to the thermostat.

To ensure a trouble-free experience, consult with an HVAC professional experienced in working with zoning and smart thermostats. We’ve been helping area with installations like these since 2001.

Count on Our Experience

Indoor Air Quality, Inc. has served Highlands Ranch and the Denver Metro Area for more than 20 years. Check out our customer testimonials, contact us, or use our online contact form for more information and a free quote.