How Zone Control Systems and Ductless Systems Work Together

Our team at AiRCO Heating & Air Conditioning wants you to achieve the optimum comfort level in your Texas home all year long. One way to reach those desired indoor temperatures is by installing a zone control system using ductless systems, also called mini splits.

You may have heard of zone temperature control, and you may have heard of ductless heating and cooling systems. However, you may not be aware they can work together to keep you at the perfect temperature for your preference and lifestyle.

In many Austin and Round Rock area homes, families use certain areas or rooms more frequently than others. Additionally, individual family members may prefer different indoor temperatures during the day as well as at night.

For example, you may want to cool a home office during working hours but not during the evenings or over the weekend. Or an elderly family member may prefer a bedroom that is significantly warmer than the children in the home prefer. 

Ideally, each room or zone in your home can follow the preferences of the family members who are in that area during the time they are present.

What Is a Zone Control System?

A zone control system typically refers to a system that allows you to simultaneously control the temperatures in different rooms or areas of your home. When a zone control system is installed within a traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, it always uses an air duct network to distribute the conditioned heated or cooled air. 

In this type of conventional system, dampers are used to control how the air is shared around your home. Individual thermostats are installed in each room or zone, and when those thermostats are set to certain temperatures, the dampers in the zone control system open or close until the specified temperatures are reached.

With a ductless system, the concept is the same but the application is different.

How Do Ductless Systems Work With Zone Control Systems?

Ductless systems are designed to control the temperature in a single room or area without relying on a Texas home’s ductwork system. In many cases, these ductless units are used to heat and cool a new home addition, a garage, a small apartment, or rooms with little or uneven heating and cooling like a home office or guest bedroom.

However, ductless systems can also be used in a broader application to control different zones in a larger home. These heating and cooling systems can be easily installed in any room or zone, allowing temperatures to be remotely controlled.

Installation usually requires a separate indoor air handler for each unit, which can be easily controlled using a zone-specific thermostat or remote controller. If you are interested in installing a multizone ductless system, a single outdoor condenser unit can typically handle up to eight individual air handlers. Be sure to speak with one of our AiRCO Heating & Air Conditioning professionals about any questions you may have.

When you have a separate thermostat and remote control for each air handler in each room or zone, you have a great deal of freedom to control all your individual spaces independently.

Benefits of Using Ductless Systems for Zone Control

Once you determine the number of rooms or zones you want to heat and cool, as well as the size of the area, you can select the number of ductless systems to be installed. It’s important to properly size everything for maximum comfort and efficiency.

One major advantage of using a ductless system for zone control is that this system eliminates the costly and complex installation often associated with a traditional HVAC zoning system. Since you don’t rely on an air duct system that often wastes energy, this alternative allows you to heat and cool your home much more efficiently. 

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), 30 percent of energy consumption may be lost through air ducts. You can save additional energy when you only heat and cool the rooms you are currently using. 

Also, by forgoing the ductwork route and preventing air leaking into your home via your ducts, your indoor air quality may improve. You will experience the benefits of high indoor air quality as well.

Customizing the temperature in individual zones means greater personalized comfort for everyone in your Austin home throughout the day. 

Get in Touch With Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about zone control based on ductless systems, contact our trained professionals at AiRCO Heating & Air Conditioning in Austin, TX. Our experienced team would love to help you find the best heating and cooling solution for you this summer to keep you comfortable all year long. Call 512.537.1234 or request service online today.