Zone control improves house comfort
With the strict limitations caused by the Coronavirus, I now labor from home.
While I’m glad with this arrangement, I’ve needed to make some adjustments.
I started by setting up a dedicated office where I can labor separate from interruption. I converted an unused bedroom that allows myself and others to shut the door and avoid distractions. Now that I am house throughout the day, I can no longer shut off the furnace or a/c to conserve energy. I realized that it was costing myself and others a fortune to heat or cool a mainly empty house. I contacted a local Heating, Ventilation and A/C contractor and asked about the opportunity of upgrading to zone control, and fortunately my furnace, a/c and ductwork are current enough to accommodate this improvement. It required installing a series of valves into the duct plan to direct airflow. I also needed to invest into thermostats for each room, because these thermostats feature WIFI connectivity, I’m able to access them through my smartphone. I don’t need to leave my desk to make changes to temperature in every room in the house. While I’m working, I concentrate temperature control in my house office. I make sure to welcome the teenagers house from college to a comfortable house. In the night, when the whole family is headed to bed, I target heating or cooling in the bedrooms but conserve energy in the downstairs area. Installing zoning into the heating and cooling plan has significantly improved the comfort of our house while also reducing utility costs Because the furnace and a/c are no longer carrying such a crucial responsibility, I’m hoping the unit lasts longer.