February 15, 2025
Is your home unevenly cooled, with some rooms taking longer to reach a comfortable temperature than others? This is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning issue that impacts many homeowners in the St. Louis area. The problem often occurs in multi-story homes where heat rises to the upper levels. If your home’s second floor takes too long to cool while the ground level is too cold, your HVAC system is malfunctioning.
Many inquiries we receive about uneven indoor temperatures come from clients with older residential HVAC systems. Most cases involve a central HVAC system, but some feature ductless mini-split systems that have lost efficiency. Smart zoning, an HVAC technique that divides your home into separate climate zones, can benefit all scenarios. Here is everything you need to know about zoning systems.
The Basics of Smart Zoning
Central, spot, and zoning strategies can effectively achieve indoor climate control. Central HVAC systems are designed to deliver conditioned air throughout buildings. Spot climate control utilizes window-mounted air conditioners and portable heaters. As the name suggests, zoning directs cool and warm air to specific areas, such as bedrooms.
You can achieve HVAC zoning in various ways. The simplest but least efficient method would be to multiply spot strategies. For instance, installing two window air conditioners in separate bedrooms creates a basic zoning system. If your split-level home has upstairs bedrooms, you might consider installing two central HVAC systems with separate ductwork, outdoor units, and thermostats. While a double central HVAC system could be efficient, it would be costly and not very sustainable.
Mini-split systems offer a more effective zoning solution. These systems consist of an outdoor condenser or pump connected to several indoor units. Each unit can condition a specific zone with its own thermostat, allowing for independent temperature control in each area. While this is an improvement over installing separate central HVAC systems, smart zoning is the preferable option.
Early zoning efforts for central HVAC systems included manual dampers in the ductwork. Dampers were typically located at the vents, although some systems featured concealed dampers with intricate mechanisms. Certain developers of central HVAC systems experimented with separate thermostats for the first and second floors.
A smart HVAC zoning system subdivides your home into distinct temperature zones, enabling you to control each area independently. This approach eliminates hot and cold spots while saving energy by conditioning only specific spaces instead of the entire house. Smart thermostats learn your preferences, automatically adjusting temperatures based on household schedules and weather forecasts. Dampers open and close to direct airflow to the appropriate zones as needed.
Smart HVAC Zoning Options
As mentioned above, spot cooling and heating can be expanded into zoning by adding more units, although this is not an efficient approach. Ductless mini-split systems are more adequate for zoning, especially when connected to a smart home automation system. The most advanced solution would be a smart zoning system that opens and closes dampers within the ductwork.
Smart zoning systems utilize dampers in the ductwork, managed by individual thermostats, to create specific heating and cooling zones. This enables better temperature and comfort control in various areas, such as second floors, family rooms, and guest bedrooms. With this approach, a central HVAC system transforms into multiple independent systems. This enhances temperature and comfort management throughout the home.
Imagine you have a central HVAC system that provides inconsistent cooling and results in higher monthly bills. Retrofitting or installing a new HVAC system can be costly, so a more budget-friendly option would be to upgrade to a zoning system. This solution works with your existing ductwork and HVAC system to enhance both temperature control and energy efficiency. Below, we will describe the two zoning systems we use.
Lennox iHarmony Smart Zoning System
If you have a Lennox HVAC system installed in your home, you’ll want the iHarmony four-zone option. This system eliminates hot and cold spots, enabling you to enjoy consistent temperatures throughout your home.
The iHarmony system can divide the floor plan into four temperature zones. The Lennox iComfort S30 smart thermostat controls the dampers, which can be adjusted via your smartphone. Temperature settings can be fully customized, allowing one zone to be set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while the others can be set at 70, 72, and 78 degrees.
This system offers tailored comfort and helps you save energy every day. By reducing heating and cooling in unoccupied rooms, you prevent energy waste in unused areas. The system adjusts to the various lifestyles within your household. You can establish individual schedules for each zone to align with daily routines. Thanks to the iHarmony app, you can manage this from your smartphone.
Honeywell Home Temperature Zoning
Honeywell is an American pioneer in HVAC zoning systems. Since the late 20th century, the company has been upgrading its zoning equipment to ensure that every zone is equipped with a thermostat.
When we discuss Honeywell zoning installations with our clients, we start by determining temperature zones. The simplest setup includes two zones: one for sleeping and another for other household activities. You can segregate your home into as many as four zones, each equipped with a smart thermostat. With a Honeywell zoning system, everything except the thermostats is installed discreetly out of sight. The dampers and forced zone panels are hidden near the furnace and within your ductwork.
The hidden dampers automatically adjust the HVAC airflow to meet your needs. Just program your thermostats to allow the system to handle the rest. The conditioned air is delivered where and when it’s needed, ensuring consistent comfort and improving the system’s efficiency.
The Bottom Line of Smart HVAC Zoning in St. Louis
Smart zoning is highly recommended for anyone dealing with uneven heating and cooling. We primarily install these systems in properties with split-level floor plans, where upstairs bedrooms are most common. One situation we often hear about occurs with clients who have upstairs primary suites and downstairs guest bedrooms. When guests stay overnight, they often need extra blankets because their rooms can become extremely cold.
Vaulted ceilings, foyers, finished basements, and rooms with exposed concrete flooring are excellent candidates for smart zoning. Beyond considerations of the floor plan, diverse lifestyles can make smart zoning a worthwhile investment. Consider families with young children and individuals who require consistent temperatures at night for health reasons. We receive many inquiries about smart zoning systems from those who work from home.
Smart zoning is a better choice than constantly closing vents in one room to redirect airflow. Makeshift dampers are often ineffective and can even put stress on your HVAC system. Opting for ductless mini-split systems or smart HVAC zoning will lead to a more comfortable and efficient solution.
Zoning Systems Can Save You Money on Energy Bills
At Scott-Lee Heating Company, the design and installation of HVAC zoning systems are just one of the professional services we offer in the St. Louis area and southwestern Illinois region. We also maintain, repair, and install HVAC systems in residential and commercial properties. Additionally, we specialize in indoor air quality, geothermal contracting, new construction, and metalwork services.
Reach out to Scott-Lee Heating Company now to explore your options for an HVAC system tailored with a smart zoning layout!