When a single thermostat is responsible for the comfort of the entire home, there are some problems.
The control registers the temperature in a single room. If, for example, the thermostat is installed in the living room, it maintains the ideal level of heating or cooling for that particular area. There is no ability to target the requirements of those rooms that feel overheated or chilly at specific times of day. The number of windows, amount of insulation, placement of vents and even shade from trees affect the heat gain and loss of the various areas of the house. Because heat tends to rise, the rooms on the second story are typically warmer than those downstairs. The kitchen might heat up due to meal preparation. With one thermostat, there is no opportunity to cater to the exact demands, occupancy or personal preference. Heating or cooling the whole home places a significant workload on the furnace and air conditioner. The system uses up needless energy to keep empty rooms comfortable. The homeowner pays higher than necessary utility bills and can expect the HVAC equipment to wear out faster. A solution is zone control. For newer systems, it’s possible to have a series of valves incorporated into the ductwork that direct airflow. An independent thermostat is mounted in each zone to regulate the valves. With wifi thermostats, adjustments can be made through either a central thermostat or an app on a smartphone. For new construction or when updating the heating and cooling system, there are newer models that include zone control. These advanced systems recognize the unique demands of each room and automatically cater output to achieve consistent temperature and maximum efficiency.