Opportunity is knocking for HVAC professionals and where it’s coming from might surprise you: Zoned heating and air conditioning systems.
To be sure, forced air zoning is anything but a new concept. In fact, it’s been around since the 1960s. But the last several years has seen consumer demand for zoned HVAC systems grow by leaps and bounds.
Now, HVAC companies that fail to offer zoning services are finding themselves losing out on prime opportunities for growth.
Smart Home Technology Points the Way
When it comes to zoning, the most significant change to the HVAC industry over the last several years has been the widespread availability and adoption of smart home technology.
Wi-Fi thermostats introduced consumers to the world of smart heating in their homes, but today’s consumers expect and demand more finite control over their household temperatures.
When combined with smart motorized dampers — and a well-designed HVAC system of efficient ducts, diffusers, and registers — Wi-Fi thermostats can reach their full potential.
In a smart zoned HVAC system, the homeowner can set, adjust, and schedule precise temperatures in various parts of the home — such as room by room, floor by floor, or area by area — from a central control panel or app on their smart device.
This can result in significant savings on a homeowner’s energy bill (by as much as 30%) as well as extend the life of HVAC equipment, since it’s not working as hard to continually heat or cool the entire home.
How HVAC Pros Can Take Advantage
Smart home technology isn’t the only thing driving the increased adoption of zoned HVAC systems. There have also been advances in HVAC equipment, including smart bypass technology, modulating supply dampers, and high-efficiency communicating protocols.
In other words, there’s likely a fair bit to learn if you’re an HVAC pro who isn’t familiar with this new technology.
The good news is zoning is becoming easier and easier, thanks to pre-wired dampers, color-coded terminals, and wireless communication protocols.
Investing time and energy into training yourself or your employees will be key to ensuring your business can take advantage of this increased consumer demand.
When a customer inquires about smart thermostats or smart temperature control, be sure to educate them fully on the benefits of upgrading to a zoned HVAC system. The average consumer or homeowner may be under the impression that simply installing a smart thermostat will give them the control and energy savings they’re seeking.
It’s up to you as the HVAC specialist to provide the full picture and explain the potential for energy savings and increased comfort with a well-designed zoned HVAC system.
