A zone control HVAC setup provides support to homeowners wishing to reduce energy waste and expenses. As the name indicates, “zone control” refers to regulating temperatures in specific areas. Not every room in the home finds itself occupied consistently. The kitchen, bathroom, living room, and master bedroom might find residents spending a lot of time in them. Guest rooms, second bathrooms, and even game rooms could be empty most of the time, so why waste hot or cold air in these areas?
A zone control setup eliminates the need to keep the entire house at the same temperature. However, problems may develop, and an HVAC technician might need to fix things. What problems could a homeowner potentially expect from the zone controlled heating and cooling? These are some issues that might arise.
Problems With The Thermostat
The thermostat maintains the temperature in the home. When set at 65 degrees, the heating or cooling system responds accordingly to match the temperature setting. If the thermostat malfunctions, regulating the temperature in the home becomes complicated. With HVAC zone controls, the problems could become complicated since the thermostat regulates temperatures in different sections. Resetting the thermostat or changing the batteries might provide the fix necessary. When the thermostat has an internal problem, it may require replacing. An HVAC technician can easily attend to such a request.
Dampers Don't Do Their Jobs
Dampers allow hot and cold air to enter rooms. They may be open in some rooms but partially or fully closed in another. Without dampers, it would be impossible to control specific zones since controlling the dampers also controls airflow, which, in turn, helps control the temperatures in the room. When dampers become stuck, they might not open or close as intended. The problem could be mechanical and require repair work. Maybe the dampers need little more than some lubrication, or there could be dirt and dust buildup causing the problems, and a thorough cleaning may eliminate the problem.
The cleaning job likely won’t fall under the do-it-yourself category. Dampers are not easily accessible, so an HVAC technician might be the only professional capable of handling the job. Also, a professional won’t damage the dampers, which could happen when an inexperienced person tries to clean them.
The damper motor might also be the problem. An inspection may reveal the motor requires a fix or an outright replacement. Hopefully, the problem may be under warranty coverage.
Broomfield and Denver-area homeowners could request assistance from True Heating & Cooling when problems arise. Furnace and air conditioner routine maintenance list among the services we provide.
Issues With The Control Panel
The control panel utilizing electrical wiring to coordinate actions between thermostats and dampers. Problems with the wiring or electrical current could lead to operational issues in the zone system.
Everything from faulty wiring to moisture to power surges could harm a control panel. Calling an HVAC technician immediately makes sense when you suspect problems with the control panel. Anything involving electrical problems could present hazards, so contacting an electrician and/or an HVAC technician’s 24/7 emergency line may be necessary.
Once the control panel goes, the system loses its central-functioning “mind.” The control panel coordinates the operation of the thermostats and dampers, so if it stops working, don’t expect the thermostats and dampers to work.
Annual Inspections May Reduce Problems
Sometimes, a technician may notice the early stages of a problem. Upon discovering something amiss, the technician will then take steps to fix things and to prevent further issues. An annual inspection affords the technician a chance to do so. Homeowners who skip annual reviews might take an “if it is not broke, why fix it?” attitude. Well, it may not break down, but the system could use a minor fix. In some cases, letting the problem continue could lead to a big one down the line. For example, parts with inadequate lubrication could suffer from excessive wear continuing to run without added lubricant.
Sometimes, the fix might be relatively minor. The technician could check out the thermostat and notice a buildup of dirt. If the dirt continues to amass, problems may follow. A quick fix could keep that from happening. Also, the technician could tell the homeowner to keep an eye on dirt buildups.
Get your system “back in the zone” by calling True Heating & Cooling today. Our technician will check things out and provide an estimate without delays. We service Broomfield, CO, and the Denver metro area. We also provide indoor air quality and carbon monoxide detection services.