Dual Zones?

10 years ago

My wife and I are building a one level ranch home ~2500 sq.ft. We have 10' ceilings, two Heat n Glo 6000clx fireplaces....one in the Master Bedroom and one in the Great Room. The basement is being plumbed for future finishing. It is just my wife and I. No kids now or in the future.

My question...we were thinking about having two temperature zones in the home....one for the left side of the home and one for the right with the idea that we would probably spend more time on the left -- Master Bedroom, Master Bath, Great Room, and Kitchen than the right side -- Guest Bedroom / Offices, Mudroom, Laundry, etc. Thinking it might be good to have the ability to set a different temp for both sides.

The cost for the upgrade is $3500.

Is this necessary or should we save the money and use it elsewhere?

Can it always be added later when we finish the basement?

Thanks in advance for any help / guidance! :)

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Comments (2)

PRO
Austin Air Companie
10 years ago
There are pros and cons to zoning your HVAC system. The biggest con is HVAC zoning in new home builds is rarely done properly. If this home is a new home build and you are using a GC from a home builder to install the zoning feature I would say pass and do it later with a HVAC contractor that is better versed in zoning HVAC systems.

For more information on HVAC zone systems click here.
mike_home
10 years ago
A good zoning system should have a variable speed furnace. So if you plan to add zoning later, you have to make sure you have the equipment to support it now.

Do you know where in the basement the furnace will be located? If it is in the center of the house then zoning should not be necessary if the duct work is properly designed. You want some manual dampers so the air flow can be adjusted on all the branches.

If it is at the perimeter of the house, then you may not get even heating and cooling distribution throughout the 2500 sq. feet of living space. A zoning system would help if it is installed properly.
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