Heat pump / air conditioners run best when the system is designed and installed correctly, ensuring the right balance of airflow throughout the home. Ducted heat pump / air conditioning is a complete solution that ensures the entire home, or specific rooms with zone control, will be comfortable at any time of day or night.

Ducted heat pump / air conditioning allows for the home to be divided into separate areas, or ‘zones’. Zoning will allow you to have greater control over the airflow around the home and provides flexibility to use your system to suit your living arrangements and lifestyle. Depending on the air conditioning system, you can select which zones are on or off, or with advanced controllers select different temperatures for specific zones at the same time. This can improve energy efficiency and deliver superior comfort.

Consider the following factors to help determine the best way to divide the house into zones.

Related Article: Heat Pump Cooling Efficiency in Hot Weather

How to zone ducted air conditioning

Fujitsu General’s ducted heat pump / air conditioners allow you to program customised zones, enabling more precise temperature regulation throughout your home. Dampers in the ductwork regulate airflow to each zone, allowing occupants to independently regulate the temperature. Not only does this provide the optimal level of comfort, it also boosts the efficiency of your home heat pump / air conditioner by only cooling or heating the rooms it needs to. Follow our tips below to effectively set up your multi zone ducted heat pump / air conditioner.

Evaluate the home design

The home design is the most crucial element to examine when determining zones. Look for parts of the home that might have significantly higher or lower loads than other parts. Hot air rises, so if you have a multi-story home, separate zones should be used for separate floors. Rooms with lots of windows or large doorways will also likely need separate zones.

Consider room use

Rooms that are used for different functions or at different times of the day should be zoned separately. Bedrooms and living areas should be separate zones, as bedrooms are used mostly in the morning and night, whereas living areas are used during the day and evening. Typically, most homes will have separate zones for the master suite, other regularly used bedrooms, and the living areas.

Determine natural heating and cooling

It is important to factor in the outdoor temperature or sunlight that penetrates a room or zone through windows or skylights. Basements and subterranean rooms are insulated and tend to be much cooler, whereas attics are much hotter. Ensure that sun-facing rooms and shaded ones are separated into different zones, since rooms that face the sun absorb more heat.

Multiple rooms in a zone

It is common for a zone to contain more than one room, for example a living area may include a kitchen and dining area. However, only do so if there is open connection or doorways between the rooms. The more open the rooms are to other rooms within a zone, the more resilient the zone will be to imbalances in heating and cooling loads.

Create a constant zone

The constant zone is an area that is always supplied with air while the system is running. Having a constant zone provides somewhere consistent for the heat pump / air conditioner to operate and ensure all zones are not closed at once, allowing your installer to correctly balance the unit. The main living area is commonly used as the constant zone as it is occupied the most throughout the day.

Zoned ducted air conditioning is a great addition to your home, combining optimal comfort levels with high energy efficiency. By considering the characteristics of your house, you can effectively divide your house into zones efficiently and effectively.

Heat Pump Multiple Zones: Frequently Asked Questions

How does ducted heating work and can it also cool my home?

In a ducted heat pump / air conditioner, air is syphoned from a central unit into a series of ducts that flow to the various rooms in the house. The air is then delivered to the room through a series of vents.

Multi zone ducted heat pump / air conditioners are able to heat or cool your home depending on your temperature preferences and mode selection. The zoning capability adds an extra layer of flexibility to your ducted heat pump / air conditioning system.

Is it possible to add zones to existing ducted heat pump / air conditioners?

Implementing additional zones in existing ducted heat pump / air conditioning systems is possible, and can improve comfort in your home while not compromising on energy efficiency.

Speak to a Fujitsu General Accredited Installer if you believe your home requires additional zones in its ducted heat pump / air conditioning system.

What are the benefits of zoned ducted air conditioning?

Adding zones to your ducted heat pump / air conditioner has several advantages, including:

• Increased comfort: Zoned ducted air conditioning allows you to individually set the temperature in each room when using the anywAiR technology ducted controller with optional temperature sensors installed. Catering to the preferences of each member of your household so everyone is comfortable.

• Reduced energy costs: A multi zone ducted heat pump / air conditioner saves energy by only cooling or heating the rooms that are in use.

• Discreet and quiet: A ducted heat pump / air conditioner is hidden away in your roof cavity, making it visually discreet. The zones are quiet when they open and close.

Is adding zones to my ducted heat pump / air conditioner worth it?

Whether or not it is worth it to add zones to your ducted heat pump / air conditioning system will depend on your budget and heating and cooling needs. It may be a worthwhile investment if you live in a large home with distinct areas or occupants with different temperature control preferences.