Since 1997, HomeTips has guided millions of homeowners with original, expert advice for DIY home improvement and repair. Founder Don Vandervort, a nationally recognized authority, has written more than 30 books and countless magazine articles, been a host on HGTV, and served as MSN's home improvement expert. MORE
Zoned heating and cooling is one of the hottest new concepts in efficient energy usage. With a zoned system, you can independently control the airflow sent to various rooms or zones in your home, directing heating or cooling where you want it at various times of the day.
To make this possible, a system needs a special multizone programmable thermostat and a few motorized dampers.
For best results, the air handler’s output should be variable. In fact, it’s best if it can be controlled over an infinite range of speeds, automatically adjusting the amount of heating or cooling delivered throughout the house according to the need.
