11/11/2025
How a Zoning Upgrade Can Help You Beat the Heat
When the Western Australian heat starts to rise, keeping your home comfortable can quickly become a challenge. Upgrading your air conditioning zoning system is one of the most effective ways to stay cool this summer while improving your home’s efficiency.
By dividing your home into zones and cooling only the areas you use most, zoning helps maintain consistent comfort without wasting energy. In this article, we’ll explore how zoning systems work, the key benefits of upgrading, and how a modern zoning solution can help you enjoy a cooler, more efficient summer.
A zoning system divides your home into separate areas, or “zones,” each with its own level of temperature control. In many setups, every zone has an adjustable set point, allowing you to fine-tune comfort based on how each space is used.
Rather than cooling the entire home at once, a zoning system directs conditioned air only to the rooms that need it. For example, you might cool the living areas during the day and bedrooms at night. This approach helps maintain a more consistent indoor temperature while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Zoning systems are typically paired with ducted air conditioners, where dampers within the ductwork open or close to control airflow to each zone. When designed and installed correctly, this technology delivers precise, efficient comfort tailored to your lifestyle.
Benefits of Zoning Systems
Zoned air conditioning systems offer a range of benefits that make them a smart investment for Western Australian homes. By cooling only the areas in use, they help reduce energy consumption and running costs — especially during the hottest months of the year. This targeted approach prevents wasted energy and ensures your system operates efficiently all summer long.
Each zone can be set to a preferred temperature, allowing every family member to enjoy personalised comfort. Whether it’s keeping bedrooms cooler overnight or maintaining a steady temperature in living areas during the day, zoning provides greater control over your home’s climate.
In addition to comfort and efficiency, a well-designed zoning system can also increase your property’s value. Homes with energy-efficient features and lower running costs are more appealing to buyers, making zoning a practical and financially rewarding upgrade.
Upgrading Your Existing System to a Zoned Cooling System
Upgrading your existing air conditioning system to a zoned cooling system is a worthwhile investment for a new air conditioner. Modern zoning systems are designed to adapt to technological advancements and changing climate conditions, ensuring long-term efficiency and comfort.
The first step in upgrading is assessing your current system. This involves evaluating the existing ductwork, dampers, and overall functionality of your air conditioning system. Proper assessment ensures that the transition to a zoned system is smooth and that the new system operates efficiently.
Choosing the right zoning solution involves considering room size, layout, and insulation, as these factors influence the best system for your home. A heat pump is another energy-efficient option for both heating and cooling, and it can be integrated with zoning systems to further improve efficiency and comfort. Professional consultation can help you select the appropriate size and type of air conditioning system for optimal performance and energy efficiency.
Smart Control with Air Touch 5
AirTouch 5 combines advanced technology with modern design to deliver effortless comfort and control. From a sleek wall-mounted touchscreen, your smartphone, or even voice commands, you can easily adjust the set point and manage zones throughout your home.
(Optional) Using advanced smart technology and Intelligent Temperature Sensor (ITS) features, the AirTouch 5 monitors conditions in each zone and automatically directs airflow where it’s needed most. This helps maintain consistent comfort, eliminates hot and cold spots, and reduces unnecessary energy use.
For multi-storey homes or properties with multiple ducted systems, AirTouch 5 offers seamless control from one interface. Through the AirTouch App, you can adjust settings remotely, receive temperature alerts, and use geofencing to ensure your home is always comfortable when you arrive.
With live weather, UV and air-quality updates on its screen, plus Google Assistant and Alexa compatibility, AirTouch 5 is a true smart-home upgrade. It’s the ideal companion for a modern zoning system—helping Western Australian homeowners stay cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient all summer long.
Assessing Your Current System
Assessing your current air conditioning system is a crucial first step before upgrading to a zoned air conditioning system. Retrofitting existing ducted systems with zoning technology often involves evaluating the ductwork and dampers to ensure they are functioning correctly, which may include air conditioning installation. As part of this assessment, be sure to check and clean air conditioner filters to maintain the unit’s performance and longevity during the upgrade process.
Addressing issues like improperly functioning dampers or uneven ductwork can significantly improve the efficiency and performance of your new zoning system.
Choosing the Right Zoning Solution
Careful consideration of factors such as room size, layout, and insulation is necessary when selecting the right zoning solution. Professional consultation ensures the chosen system meets your specific cooling needs.
Additionally, zoned systems can improve air quality by efficiently controlling airflow and reducing indoor pollutants, making them a cost-effective solution for maintaining a healthy living environment.
Maximizing Energy Efficiency with Zoned Air Conditioning
Zoned air conditioning systems provide excellent benefits when it comes to energy efficiency. By directing cooled air only to the areas in use, energy consumption is reduced, helping to lower running costs and create a more sustainable home environment.
Modern zoning systems can also be paired with smart controls, allowing you to adjust the set point in each zone remotely. This makes it easy to manage your home’s temperature based on your daily routine, cooling living areas during the day and bedrooms at night. Many of these systems can learn your preferences over time, automatically adjusting to maintain comfort while reducing energy use.
Inverter technology further enhances efficiency by adjusting compressor speed to match your cooling requirements. This helps maintain a steady indoor temperature and reduces energy waste, particularly during the long, hot Western Australian summer.
To keep your zoning system performing at its best, regular maintenance and inspections are essential. Scheduling seasonal servicing helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensures your system continues to deliver reliable, efficient comfort year-round.
Enhancing Comfort with Zoned Air Conditioning
Zoned cooling systems enhance home comfort by allowing optional individualemperature control in different areas. Each zone can be set to a preferred temperature, accommodating varying comfort needs across the household and reducing the need for constant adjusting of the set point.
Another key benefit of zoning is improved indoor air quality. By targeting specific areas, the system helps reduce the circulation of dust and allergens, contributing to a healthier living environment and helping minimise potential respiratory issues.
Zoned systems also operate quietly thanks to advanced fan technology and thoughtful system design. With components positioned strategically throughout the home, noise levels are kept to a minimum, creating a calm and comfortable atmosphere.
Proper insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining consistent comfort. Well-insulated ceiling and roof spaces help reduce heat transfer, keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Effective roof ventilation can also assist in removing trapped hot air, improving your system’s efficiency and ensuring year-round comfort.
Personalized Temperature Control
Zoning systems enhance comfort by allowing personalized temperature control in different rooms, enabling each household member to customize the temperature in their specific area.
This feature reduces conflicts over thermostat settings and ensures that everyone enjoys their ideal climate, making your home a more harmonious and comfortable place.
Long-Term Investment Benefits
Investing in a zoned air conditioning system provides notable financial benefits through substantial energy savings by cooling only the areas currently in use, optimizing energy consumption.
Advanced zoning systems adapt to new technologies and changing climate conditions, ensuring homes remain efficient and comfortable over time. These improvements in energy efficiency and adaptability can increase overall property value, making them a wise long-term investment.
Integration with Smart Home Devices
Advanced zoning systems can seamlessly work with smart devices like thermostats and sensors, improving user control over home climate and enhancing energy efficiency through remote management. Additionally, these advanced systems contribute to a more tailored approach to climate control.
Integrating zoning systems with smart devices allows for remote management, enhancing convenience and energy efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does a zoning system help during summer?
A zoning system allows you to cool specific areas of your home rather than the entire house at once. This targeted approach keeps the rooms you use most at a comfortable temperature while reducing energy use, ideal for managing the Western Australian summer heat.
2. What exactly is air conditioning zoning?
Air conditioning zoning divides your home into individual areas, or “zones,” each with its own temperature control. This means you can cool different parts of your home independently, improving comfort and energy efficiency without overworking your system.
3. What are the benefits of upgrading my zoning system?
Upgrading your zoning system improves comfort, efficiency, and control. Modern zoning technology offers quieter operation, smarter temperature management, and the ability to cool only occupied spaces, helping your system perform better during the hottest days of summer.
4. How do I know if my home is suitable for a zoning upgrade?
Most ducted air conditioning systems can be upgraded with zoning, but factors such as your home’s layout, insulation, and existing ductwork design will determine compatibility. A Ford & Doonan professional can assess your system and recommend the best zoning solution for your space. This sort of consultation is best done between April and September.
5. What signs suggest my zoning system needs upgrading?
If you’re noticing uneven temperatures between rooms, reduced airflow, or zones that no longer respond as they should, it might be time for an upgrade. Modern zoning technology can deliver more precise control and improved performance during extreme heat.
1800 AIR CON 
