JimLaLone
10-28-2008, 05:42 PM
I don't really know the buzz words here. Multi-stage may be what I'm talking about, but as complicated as this site is I gave up on finding a definition. I'll ask this in plain English, after a quick background.
I live in a 1400 ft. two story house with no central HVAC. By far, most of my waking time is downstairs. So I've found that I don't need to control upstairs temps as closely as downstairs, and I can shave somewhat off the electric bill by shifting most of the energy and control downstairs.
I'm sure there is a way, regardless of the name given it, of controlling zones at different temperature levels. But can I really shave off the power bill by doing so - given a central system - like I can with room heaters?
I know price questions are considered sinful here, but is there a ball park percentage increase in system cost to install a 2 zone system as opposed to a single zone system? The real question being, is a 2 zone system worth having aside from the touted comfort level?
How, in general English terms, is zone control done? Dampers?
JimL
I live in a 1400 ft. two story house with no central HVAC. By far, most of my waking time is downstairs. So I've found that I don't need to control upstairs temps as closely as downstairs, and I can shave somewhat off the electric bill by shifting most of the energy and control downstairs.
I'm sure there is a way, regardless of the name given it, of controlling zones at different temperature levels. But can I really shave off the power bill by doing so - given a central system - like I can with room heaters?
I know price questions are considered sinful here, but is there a ball park percentage increase in system cost to install a 2 zone system as opposed to a single zone system? The real question being, is a 2 zone system worth having aside from the touted comfort level?
How, in general English terms, is zone control done? Dampers?
JimL