Read This Before Considering a Retrofit

According to Ohio Realtors, 87% of all home sales nationwide are comprised of existing homes. Among many other things, that means that almost everyone is inheriting (or not having at all) someone else’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) solution. We don’t all have the benefit of a newly built house with a solution designed from the ground up to meet the needs of our home use, climate or other factors.

That means that almost every homeowner will have to look at improving or creating a new HVAC system, and it can be a daunting task. Multiple equipment solutions, different construction timelines, and quotes that are different from contractor to contractor can make it seem like no one system or solution is right or that they all are but were made for someone else’s house.

But HVAC Zoning can be a cost-saving, efficiency-boosting addition to any retrofit project that, in the right conditions, should be a part of the discussion. In the HVAC industry, zoning refers to the installation and use of dampers and other equipment to make your home more comfortable by controlling the delivery of heating and cooling to different areas (zones) in your home,

You Know Your House Best

The first question to ask yourself is – Why am I considering a retrofit?

• Adding on to your house?
• Issues with the air quality or temperature/comfort in certain areas of your house?
• Looking to minimize energy use in unused portions of your home?
• Questions about the performance and age of your current system?

HVAC Zoning provides a possible solution to these and many other common retrofit needs.

Adding On

One common retrofit reason is an addition to a house. Often it is just assumed that “More Space= More HVAC” or it’s completely ignored and becomes an instant source of regret and the cause of additional work after the fact. HVAC Zoning can allow you to keep the equipment you have by making it perform more effectively and in a way more tailored to the needs and use of each zone.

Zoning can also remove the need for a mini-split system, which many contractors suggest. But they can present many issues if not done correctly. (Learn why on our blog on mini-splits here).

Balance is Key

We all know hot air rises, and cold air settles. But why is the kitchen hotter than the living room or the bathroom colder than the master bedroom? The design and implementation of a zoned retrofit system lets you address and fix these issues through more precise control of the airflow. Additionally, localized air circulation control keeps allergens, humidity and other issues to a minimum.

Increased Savings Over Time

Are you an Empty Nester looking to stop heating or cooling rooms you’re not using? Just shutting off the vents will only increase the wear and tear on your system by causing the return air to be too hot or cold. The US Department of Energy recommends an offset of no more than 7 degrees to maximize energy savings and optimize system performance. If you’re looking to optimize your energy use, HVAC Zoning and thermostat control is the way to go for the perfect balance of efficiency, comfort and performance.

Optimize What You Have

Just bought your house and experiencing issues in some parts? The problem may not require a brand-new system. Find a contractor who not only knows HVAC but Zoning as well. Your solution may not require new equipment but the optimization and increased performance that zoning can provide.

Retrofitting an HVAC system can add comfort, energy savings, and resale value to your home. Making sure that your new system includes HVAC Zoning increases all of those returns. Find out more today.