Zoning

The Importance of Zoning

What is ‘Zoning’?

In their simplest form, Zoning Controls are a critical tool for managing the efficiency of your ducted air conditioning system. Zoning Controls provide the means of intelligently directing the air conditioning unit’s capacity only to where it’s needed at any point of the day or night.

The Advantages of Using Zoning

The following advantages are experienced where a quality zoning control system is used:

• A smaller air conditioning unit is required. This results in lower installation costs, and you may also avoid the necessity for an expensive three-phase power upgrade;
• Reduced power consumption and lower running costs;



• Potential for a faster cooling and heating response in extreme conditions;
• Offers much greater flexibility than traditional Day / Night systems and is more adaptable to specific lifestyle requirements.

Typical Zoning Configurations

The following is one example of how an average 4-Bedroom home may be divided into five or six zones.

Types of Zoning Systems

‘Constant Air Volume’ Zoning

Most ducted air conditioning systems for homes are fitted with conventional ‘Constant Air Volume’ (CAV) zoning. Constant Air Volume systems deliver a pre-determined volume of conditioned air from the air conditioner to each zone. This same basic volume remains constant day-in, day-out regardless of changing outdoor conditions.

CAV systems generally measure the temperature in one central location (usually at the Return Air Grille). The air conditioning unit then operates to satisfy an average air temperature throughout the home.

Constant Air Volume (CAV) Zone Controls

• Advantage Air ’
• Innovative Air Systems (IAS)
• Daikin
• Actron

A degree of temperature fluctuation throughout the home is inevitable with this type of system due to the changes constantly occurring throughout each 24-hour period. For example, a West-facing room may receive the correct air volume to remain cool in the afternoon, but be a little ‘chilly’ in the mornings when the sun is in the East.

Often these variations in temperature can be minimised by applying good design and by conducting an adequate ‘air balance’ during installation of the CAV system. It is important, however, to understand a CAV system’s capabilities and limitation, and how to manage its capacity using the zoning system supplied.

‘Variable Air Volume’ Zoning

Rather than delivering a pre-determined volume of conditioned air to each zone, ‘Variable Air Volume’ (VAV) zoning systems automatically adjust and re-adjust the air volume supplied to each zone throughout each day.

As such, VAV zoning is a much more dynamic and intelligent approach to delivering conditioned air. Obviously, this is very powerful as it allows the system to constantly redeploy the available air only to those areas that currently need it (such as areas experiencing direct sunlight at a given time).

Variable Air Volume (VAV) Zone Control

• Actron
• Daikin (VRV)
• Advantage
• Innovative Air Systems IAS

In addition to the more efficient targeting of the air conditioner’s capacity, VAV zoning also provides far greater flexibility for you, the home owner. Each family member is able to set their preferred temperatures for the areas or zones they occupy most.

Ultimately, Variable Air Volume zoning provides far more stable room temperatures throughout the home and far greater user flexibility. Potentially, it may also enhance the speed of cooling or heating while increasing system energy efficiency.