Zoning your home heating system makes everything more comfortable!

ISSUES and COMPLAINTS:

Single Level
warm kitchen and living room but cold bedrooms? 

2nd Story
hot air rises. And that’s not a bunch of hot air…

Basement
cooler than the rest of the home because it sits on cement. Cement produces condensation and makes the rooms uncomfortable.

Man Cave
yes, we know. Having a cold man cave can be a nuisance.

Craft Room
cold fingers don’t sew very well.


Zoning your homeLook familiar in your home?

Most homes that we visit have some sort of issue with even temperatures throughout the home. This causes a lot of headache and additional wear and tear on the system. For instance, if a thermostat is located downstairs but the bedrooms are upstairs, which is where everyone sleeps at night, imagine how uncomfortable the whole home can become! Some homeowners simply turn their thermostat down to 60 degrees to get the upstairs a little more manageable. Now the downstairs is freezing and the upstairs is a little bit better. But still not where it should be. How frustrating! On top of all that, the system is working harder and longer to try and make the home more comfortable.

Shorter life span. Higher utility bills. Still no comfort. Sounds like a dream vacation! NOT!

So, short of packing your bags and going to Hawaii, what is the solution to this age-old problem? Well, first, read this article. Education can go a long way. The second thing you can do is to cry. Cry because you will be amazed at what a simple solution this is. It’s called “zoning”. Zoning your house is a simple solution that has tremendous benefits and long-term impacts on the comfort of your home.

A couple laws that are at work in your home causing some discomfort is the fact that hot air rises. So, any 2 or 3-story home notices this issue a lot more than single level homes. However, there are more basic and unnoticed laws- such as the ability to turn on and off lights in each room throughout your home. Some rooms even have multiple lights! Well, why can’t this happen with your heating system? One control determines the temperature and comfort (or lack of) throughout your entire home! How terrible!

Insider Perspective: Most home heating systems are referred to as “furnaces” instead of “comfort systems” because they rarely are designed properly and effectively to provide proper comfort for you.

ZONE HEATING

Increase home energy efficiency by utilizing zone heating. Instead of having to pay to heat your entire home, you can cut your heating bill by up to 40%* when you heat only the areas you utilize most! Supplemental heating appliances like Wood, Pellet and Gas/Propane stoves or fireplaces are a fantastic way to not only keep your living areas comfortable, but also add a beautiful focal point and ambiance to any room. These charming additions can even increase the overall value of your home!

There is no reason to heat unoccupied rooms simply because you’re feeling chill down the hall. With zone heating, you can stay comfortable while reducing the temperature on your thermostat, and subsequently saving money. Now your home can be more efficient than ever while you enjoy on-demand warmth only where you need it. It’s important to remember that a “zone” is one specific area, not an entire home.

Zone Heating 101

While some hearth products have the capability of heating an entire house, most are designed to heat a room or a cluster of rooms. Zone heating is also the perfect solution for warming a cold room or a new room addition. The strategy of zone heating is often most beneficial in homes with older central furnaces that tend to lose heat through inefficient operation and leaky duct-work. It can also be beneficial when only a small family occupies a large house.

Variety of Options

There are many hearth products applicable for zone heating, including freestanding stoves, fireplace inserts and masonry heaters. Within these types, there are hearth products that burn firewood, natural gas, propane, pellet and electric. The key to selecting the correct hearth product is determining the zones of the house to heat, the level of desired heat, available fuels, intended use patterns, and the convenience factor. Also consider the style, design, and layout of the home where the hearth product will be installed.

How To Get Started

As you consider your options, here are some questions to help guide you in choosing the right hearth product as a zone heater:

– How much space would you ideally like to heat?

– Do you have any existing zone heating units?

– What zone or zones of the home do you wish to heat?

– What is the homes overall layout?

– What fuels are readily available in your area? 

– What is your design style? 

– Is there available space to install a freestanding stove or fireplace?

– Are you interested in Wood, Pellet, Gas/Propane or Electric?


Visit your local Comforts of Home for experienced advice before making any final decisions.
Comforts of Home can schedule a free in-home estimate to get you started today!