Divide and Conquer: Get Ready with Zoned Cooling

With March Madness behind us, it won’t be too long before it will be time to turn your thermostat to “cool”. To improve the efficiency of your home cooling system and keep your energy costs down, consider installing a more efficient home comfort system and a zoning system.

If your current cooling system is more than 10 years old, you’re probably paying a premium in utility charges for the old technology used in its construction, plus soon to be out of production refrigerant (freon or riff). Thanks to the innovative components of newer models, you can start saving on energy bills so that the system can quickly pay for itself. You should also think about those models that contain Puron (prior) as their refrigerant. The Federal government is phasing out Freon by 2010 to use as a refrigerant, and the Puron models are the environmentally safe models for the future.

When you replace your home comfort system, you should consider a zoning system. Just as multiple light switches allow you to illuminate only the rooms you’re using, a zoned cooling and heating system allows precise temperature control for separate areas of your home. With a zoning system, you can save on your utility bills by conditioning only the areas you designate. For instance, you may need to cool your home office all day, but you only need to cool the extra bedrooms when guests are visiting. A zoning system allows you this accurate control.

As you look at zoning systems the key questions to ask are 1.) Is there a bypass required? Your better systems will have a variable speed blower that eliminates the need for by-pass. The “excess air” being moved when a zone calling for heating or cooling does not require all the air your system desired causes bypass. 2.) The zoning controls dampens and modules should all be designed to work as a package. Do NOT accept a system that is pieced together from several manufacturers and not specifically designed to work together. Should you install a “pieced” system, you are asking for a service nightmare. There are many systems designed to work together with variable speed blowers and thermostat controls. One such example is the Bryant Evolution System. You can learn more about this system by going to Bryant.com.

As you begin considering comfort system alternatives available today, give the comfort consultants at FLAME a call. We’ll help you plan a “zone defense” for your home. You will find that the energy savings a new comfort and zoning system can provide really add up—and you’ll be able to make every area of your home more comfortable than ever.

Think it is too early to think about your cooling system? Not at all! Heating and cooling companies like FLAME, they are Michigan’s largest factory authorized Bryant Dealer, offer deals and more flexible installation scheduling in off-season, as they are not as busy as they are in peak season.

Still have questions? Want more information? Feel free to call FLAME toll free at 1-888-234-2340, or visit our website @ www.ffold.awcsite.info.

Follow the Furnace Doctor’s advice.. you’ll improve your home system efficiency and keep your energy costs down.