I live in a two-story house with two HVAC units, but I'm facing a problem—the west side of the upstairs gets way hotter than the rest. We got a quote from an HVAC company for $4,000 to install dampers and a new thermostat, but no ductwork would need to change since the current setup is fine. They plan to install a Honeywell control panel, motorized dampers, and integrate it with our Lennox ACX14 and ML180 system. Is this zoning option a good idea for us? Are there any crucial factors we should consider, and does the price sound reasonable?
5 Answers
I can't give specifics about your setup, but I once got a quote for zoning my central air for about $5k. In the end, I opted for a mini-split system to manage temperature in the hotter areas of my house more flexibly.
Regarding the cost, be sure to get multiple quotes from different contractors to see what's reasonable in your area. Pricing can vary quite a bit depending on location.
Have you checked with your HVAC contractor about adjusting the balancing and duct sizing instead of going for active zoning? It might be a cheaper way to improve airflow to the warmer areas.
That sounds like a solid plan! They set up zoning in commercial buildings all the time, allowing each area to control its temperature independently. It should work well in your home too!
Just a thought: it'd be helpful to know the size of your upstairs and the tonnage of your system. If it's a 3-ton system for over 1400 sqft and you're zoning a smaller area, that could cause issues with airflow and humidity. Also, keep in mind the price seems a bit on the high side.