Air Conditioner Zoning Tips: Four Indoor Spaces That Require Individual Zones

A zoned air conditioning system allows users to control temperatures in each room. Each zone has a thermostat and an air handler. Therefore, you can set the temperatures higher or lower in one room without affecting the rest of the house. When investing in a multi-zone air conditioner, it's important to map out your zones correctly to ensure energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Below are four indoor spaces that require individual zones due to their unique characteristics.

Upper Levels in a Multi-Story Home

Each level in a multi-story home has unique cooling needs. Therefore, you shouldn't use one thermostat to control the air throughout the house. For example, some people prefer to sleep in a cool room, while others prefer a warm bedroom. Therefore, regulating the temperatures from one thermostat can leave some occupants uncomfortable. Zoning the upper levels of your multi-story home can generate indoor comfort during the hot months. You can further design individual zones for each bedroom, so each occupant can set their preferred temperatures.

Rooms With High Ceilings

Rooms with high ceilings have unique air-conditioning needs. Since warm air rises, it gets trapped at the top of the ceiling, allowing the living spaces to remain cool and comfortable. Conversely, rooms with lower ceilings tend to be warmer. Therefore, you can't use the same thermostat to control the temperatures in both rooms. A multi-zone system allows you to regulate temperatures in rooms with varying ceiling heights. You can set the thermostat higher in the high-ceiling rooms and lower in the ones with lower ceilings.

Indoor Spaces With Higher Temperatures

There are different reasons why certain rooms are warmer than others:

  • An uninsulated roof or attic can cause rooms on the upper level to feel warmer
  • Kitchens can feel warmer when preparing meals over a stove
  • Rooms facing the sun may feel warmer due to heat gain
  • Lack of insulation in some rooms can also affect the ambient temperatures

Consider each room's unique cooling needs when designing the cooling zones. For example, you can group rooms with the same cooling demand to boost the air conditioner's performance and efficiency.

Rooms With Large Windows

Are there rooms in your house with many large windows? Do the windows have single-pane glass? Single-pane glass windows allow solar heat into a room. Indoor spaces with large single-pane windows are warmer than the rest of the home. They require more cooling; thus, you should lower the thermostat setting. By zoning rooms with large windows, you can cool them efficiently without making the rest of the house unbearably cold. 

Proper air conditioner zoning maximizes indoor comfort and improves indoor air quality. Consult a contractor for professional zoning design and air conditioning services.


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