Fernando de la Cruz, New Markets EMEA Director at leading manufacturer of HVAC control and integration systems, Airzone, looks at the benefits of zone control technology and key issues around integrating it with heating management systems prior to home installation.
With gas boilers soon to be banned from new-build homes and replaced by heat pumps from 2025, the UK’s reliance on domestic fossil fuel usage will be significantly loosened. Heat pumps will be new to many homeowners but as user knowledge increases and the benefits of renewable technologies begin to impact, consumer demand for smart heating controls will undoubtedly grow. Simple to install and integrate with IoT technology, zone control focuses heating function on the demands of independent rooms for year-round, energy-efficient home comfort.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, heating and hot water account for more than half of the fuel bills in a typical UK household. The high figure can partly be attributed to a switch-on/switch-off approach to centralised heating, and cooling. Such an approach does not account for the differing temperature needs of rooms throughout a building, meaning infrequently used or occupied spaces receive the same heating and cooling loads as areas of greater usage.
Selective heating based on usage and temperature requirements through zone control reduces energy consumption and ensures high comfort levels. The process enables greater autonomy over heating appliances including air-to-water heat pumps, with simple, fast IoT technology integration contributing to zoning’s focused capability.
Forensic Appraisal of Cooling and Heating Loads Essential to Zone Control
Engaging with a heating control and integration specialist such as Airzone is crucial to optimising building energy efficiency and comfort through appropriate zone control. The company provides an online tool which allows users to calculate their building’s zoning requirements based on the heating loads of individual rooms. For added peace of mind, project teams are available to carry out the calculation on behalf of property owners.
Zone Control: Enabling Efficient Heat Pump Performance and Compliance with Future Home and Building Standards
A zoned HVAC installation enables the use of smaller units, as most areas are not in demand simultaneously. This approach enhances efficiency, ensures comfort, and delivers significant energy savings. By combining heat pumps with a zone control heating system, efficiency is significantly enhanced. Zone control allows for precise temperature regulation in different areas. With Airzone’s advanced zone control solutions, greater comfort and energy savings can be unlocked, ensuring a home heating system meets environmental goals and user comfort.
Operating heat pumps as part of a fully integrated heating system featuring zone control optimises their effectiveness by initiating shorter heating cycles. This can help improve figures released by the Carbon Trust, which show heat pumps used for heating can achieve carbon emission savings of circa 30% compared to conventional natural gas boilers.
One exemplar of zone-specific innovation offers bespoke control of various heating technologies including heat pumps, underfloor heating and radiators through a range of control options. The system can be controlled via the Airzone zone thermostats, remotely with the Airzone cloud app, as well as via third party integrations, such as smart thermostats, home automation and BMS.
As well as facilitating compliance with the uplift in energy standards, its beneficial outcomes do not compromise a building’s interior comfort, which is essential to occupant wellbeing.
Zone-specific capability has taken heating management to new and exciting levels of efficiency. With the shift toward electric-powered heating sources, optimal performance and comfort can be provided through precise, zoned control of underfloor heating, radiators, and AC.