The patent-pending Barometric Zone Damper™ (BZD) works like any standard damper with one exception: It has a built-in barometric relief mechanism that eliminates the need for a bypass damper, says the company. The damper has been designed with both a fixed and a hinged blade and is controlled by an actuator.

According to contractors who have had success with zoning, it’s generally not a good idea to make a hard sell for zoning or talk about the technical aspects of the installation with potential customers. What do they spend their time talking about instead?  

New technology has had a significant impact on the zoning market in the last five years. This roundup provides a sampling of the latest products and systems available from industry suppliers to assist contractors in zoning system design, installation, and service.

Manual Zr is the new ANSI-recognized standard for residential zoning. Its development was spearheaded by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). As the newest manual in the ACCA library, it is the result of combined efforts of original equipment manufacturers, zoning equipment producers, and HVAC contractors.

The future of bypass ducts in zoned California heating and cooling systems appears very bleak. The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently proposed a code change that would prohibit the use of bypass ducts in zoned heating and cooling systems, and eliminate existing Title 24 zonal performance compliance credits.

To aid contractors seeking to enter the IAQ market, manufacturers offer a full array of tools to assist in the marketing and selling of products and systems to the homeowner during replacement sales, service calls, and scheduled maintenance visits. This guide provides a sampling of the resource materials and assistance available.

In a tight economy, contractors have to move beyond just selling the basic furnace or air conditioner to customers. One way to expand sales and improve profits is by focusing on IAQ products.

The winners of the 2011 Dealer Design Awards in the Residential Control category have gone beyond making it possible for homeowners to control their indoor environment - they also put contractors more in control of scheduling their workforce because of the products’ ease in being installed and serviced.

Residential zoning systems have come a long way in recent years, both in terms of the equipment itself, and in an increased understanding of how to apply it correctly. Yet there are still many misconceptions about these systems that zoning experts are trying to dispel.

Zoning systems can be beneficial to both homeowners and the HVAC contractors who install them. However, their complexity can sometimes lead to confusion, and perhaps avoidance among contractors. A new standard developed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America aims to help with zoning design to improve the installation and operation of zoned systems.