Competition for the mechanical room advances steadily as a host of variables affect which HVACR technologies and practices will make it into the field. Zoning is one of these technologies. Divided between hot water and forced air categories, zoning technology has experienced success in both residential and commercial applications of hot water and hydronic systems. When it comes to forced air systems, however, Dick Foster, president of Trolex Corp., said that the HVAC industry has yet to fully embrace the value of zoning. Although the overall growth of zoning typically averages 20 percent a year, according to Foster, he said that it takes a lot of repetitive training with contractors to achieve that growth.
“Zoning is not recognized for the benefits of added comfort and energy savings,” he added. “Zoning’s prominence is still mostly in new homes, and very few contractors understand the opportunity that they’re missing in offering zoning with every retrofit and/or changeout and commercial application.”