Scrib

Just got back from a subdivision gathering where we were discussing ways to make our homes more energy efficient. Other than the obvious, more attic insulation, etc. one item that was brought up was having a zone system to independently control the temperature on the first and second floors.

As I understand it, they install a "brain" that controls two dampers, one that would control the first floor duct work and one for the second floor ductwork.

Basically like having two furnaces...

Anyone have this? Is there a real advantage to doing this?

Scrib

Like this...

http://yourhome.honeywell.com/Consum...rature+Zoning/

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

i'm not sure it's that different than keeping your thermostat at one temp.
just because the dampers close doesn't mean the heat/air is off.

Scrib

I don't think so... I wouldn't be heating the entire floor. Seems like there would be a savings???

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

what i'm saying is, the temp is regulated by the thermostat. so w/ a thermostat downstairs set @ 70 and upstairs @ 66 (i like it cool). wouldn't that be as efficient as having 1 thermostat downstairs @ 68?

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

also heating the upstairs takes more because of the longer run. so to ge the temp the same on both levels, it would take x amount of time longer to heat/cool the upstairs.
i dunno, maybe it will be faster with the dampers installed.

csmeance

In my new house, I have two of the Air Handlers. The house is 3x times the size of the old one, but it has a lower electric bill. Things I do to save energy:
1. Energy saving bulbs, even the dimming ones for chandliers
2. Low-E windows
3. Blackout curtains
4. Special insulation/sheilding under the roof
5. keep heat at 70 and ac at 75

My electric bill is about 100 dollars a month, and thats with 4 people in the house.

BTW, house size is 4000 Sq. feet, 2 floors.

csmeance

The benefit that you would get is cooling/heating less space. That means less time required to heat the rest of the home as much more air is coming from the vents. BUT the downside is that if the room leaks air such as with room-to-room vents, it will cost you more energy as the air will leak out into the home.

Fibonacci

It entails installing an additional thermostat and a baffle system to control airflow to different floors/rooms - it's not that complicated.

There isn't so much of an energy savings as it really is sold as a comfort factor. I looked into this system:

http://www.arzelzoning.com/whyarzel.html

Decided against it for now, the $4000 cost wouldn't be recouped in this market and Wifey decided the house is comfortable as it is now.

Also, I think the system is less effective for the open floor plans, great rooms and two story foyers which are quite common features in new home construction.

BubbaMarkTL

you will never recover the cost of modifying your existing system to have a multi-zone heating control system thru energy cost savings...the savings are going to be negligable.

if its that important to you to have that type of system, do it for your personal comfort or bragging rights or whatever but certainly not for any cost savings.

Scrib

So I wouldn't realize the $1000 investment over a 20 year period? What's the point of these systems then? Purely comfort?

BubbaMarkTL

20 years? ok, perhaps youd recoup that investment. but lets get real, you dont plan to stay in your current house for 20 years. even if you say or think you do now, you wont, staying in houses for 20-30-40 years is what the older generations did....you planted your roots and that was it. in this day and age people dont do that anymore...at least not nearly as much.

Scrib

So, I've elected to move forward with this. And putting in a nice humidifier too...

I've learned this the zoning is more for comfort, which we're fine with.

timmahh

All of the two stories in our area have ZTE - Zoned Thermal Equalizers; basically like you mentioned above - if my upstairs thermostat is set to 80, but downstairs I want it set to 75, it will stop airflow to the upstairs and cool downstairs.

You may also want to look into "Smart Vent"; that's what Beutler calls it anyways - it's basically a whole house fan that sits up on the roof, when the system sees the desired temperature indoors can be achieved by pulling in fresh air from outside, it will pull in the air.. For example, if my house is 85 degrees, and I have the thermostat set to 75, but it's 70 outside, the system will use the outside air to cool down the house instead of running the compressor.. saves energy but also allows fresh air in the home without having to open up the windows [ie.. if you're gone!]

doopstr

Humidifier is definitely a good move.

dallison

what about an electronic air cleaner

Scrib

Having gotten multiple bids, it was amazing to see how many people said electric air cleaners were crap and to go with media air cleaners... And others who said the complete opposite.

So, I decided against going any type of route for the time being.

timmahh

:IONICBREEZEFTW:

Scrib

Where's the red text?

timmahh

I had one I thought it worked good.. unless it was just making it's own crap to put on the collection grids ?

Scrib

I'm too lazy to google, but I'm pretty sure there is/was a class-action against sharper image because they didn't do what they were advertised to do...

Edit:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/h...rper-image.htm