Zone Control Heating Systems Explained

With everyone now being much more savvy about energy usage, especially the way in which homes are heated and one of the best ways of making your heating more efficient is to not heat spaces that don’t need it.

With this in mind, in this DIY guide we take a detailed look at zoned heating systems.

What is Zone Heating?

In a nut shell, zone heating is a method of heating a home or a building, that breaks all the separate areas or rooms of the property into individual “zones” that can all be heated independently of each other.

In traditional heating systems, the heating runs throughout the entire house, heating it all at the same time, effectively as 1 single zone.

With a zoned heating system, as areas can be heated independently of one another, you can turn the heating off in rooms that aren’t being used and on in those that are (and also up or down), making your heating much more efficient.

Zone heating focuses on three key principles to lower home heating costs:

• Use high-efficiency appliances over standard heating systems
• Limit heating to specific, smaller areas instead of the entire home
• Heat each area more efficiently by minimizing heating time

Today, zoned heating can be combined with many other modern and efficient heating components such as wireless heating controls, thermostats, heating programmers and other components to provide even greater and more accurate control over your heating system.

One of the huge energy draining problems in homes is the introduction of very advanced boiler systems which lose every bit of their efficiency because the boiler control system is not up to the job. These new systems go a long way to resolving this issue, allowing you to get the very best out of your zoned system.

So, if you are considering installing a zoned heating system, make sure that all other components in the system are up to parr also.

To ensure that this is the case, part L1 of the Building Regulations was introduced to ensure that all heating system components meet a certain standard.

Types of Zoned Central Heating System

Another key consideration to make is the type of zoned central heating system you might want to install as there are several different types and a certain, specific type may be suited to your property more than another.

Radiator-Based Zoned Systems

Radiator-based zoned heating is one of the most common types of zoned central heating in the UK. In this system, each room or zone has its own thermostat and control valve, often called a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV).

These valves regulate the flow of hot water to individual radiators based on the temperature set on the thermostat. When a room reaches the desired temperature, the valve closes, stopping the flow of hot water and preventing overheating.

This system is ideal for homes that already have a radiator-based heating system in place, as it requires minimal upgrades and minimal cost to create individual heating zones. It offers precise temperature control in each room, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency.

Underfloor Heating Zoned Systems

Underfloor heating is another zoned central heating option that is gaining traction in UK homes. This system involves running hot water through pipes embedded in the floor to gently heat the room from the bottom upwards.

Each area of the home can be treated as a separate zone, with independent thermostats controlling the temperature in each space.

Underfloor heating systems provide a more even heat distribution compared to radiators and are often more energy-efficient, especially in well-insulated homes.

These systems are particularly effective for larger, open-plan areas or homes with tiled or stone floors. Underfloor heating can be more expensive to install but provides long-term energy savings and a higher level of comfort.

Boiler with Multiple Heating Zones

This is a slightly more advanced take on the first option listed above.

Many modern boilers in the UK are designed to support multiple heating zones. In these systems, a single boiler supplies hot water to various zones, each of which has its own thermostat and motorised valve.

When a zone requires heat, the valve opens to allow hot water to flow through that zone’s radiators or underfloor heating system. When no zones need heat, the boiler shuts off, saving energy.

This type of system is ideal for larger homes or properties with multiple floors, where different parts of the house may have different heating needs. For example, you can heat the living room and kitchen during the day, while keeping bedrooms cooler until the evening.

Zoning in this way maximises comfort and reduces energy consumption.

Smart Zoned Water Heating Systems

Smart zoned water heating systems are a growing trend in the UK, offering more advanced control over home heating. These systems are integrated with smart thermostats that allow users to control the heating in each zone remotely via a smartphone app or smart home device.

This provides flexibility and convenience, as you can adjust the temperature of each zone from anywhere, ensuring your home is warm when you return without wasting energy while you’re away.

Smart heating systems are especially beneficial for busy households, second homes, or people looking to maximise efficiency and cut heating bills. They are also compatible with both radiator-based and underfloor heating systems, making them versatile for different home types.

How do Zoned Heating Systems Work?

A zoned water central heating system works by using hot water to provide heat through radiators, underfloor heating, or less commonly (more so in the US), baseboard (skirting board) heaters.

The home is divided into multiple zones, each with its own thermostat and control valve. These valves regulate the flow of hot water to different zones, ensuring that only the areas needing heat receive it.

The key components of a zoned water heating system are as follows:

• Thermostats: Each zone has a dedicated thermostat, allowing you to set different temperatures for different rooms or areas of your home. For instance, you can keep your living room warm while reducing the temperature in unused bedrooms.
• Control Valves: These motorised valves are installed in the pipework, controlling the flow of hot water to each zone. When a thermostat signals that a specific zone needs heat, the valve opens, allowing hot water to circulate to the heating source and warm the space.
• Boiler: The boiler heats the water, which is then pumped through the system to the various zones. When no zones are calling for heat, the boiler remains idle, helping to save energy.
• Circulator Pumps: Some systems may use individual circulator pumps for each zone, further enhancing control and efficiency by ensuring that hot water flows only to the areas that need it.

Today, with the emergence of modern smart technology, it’s now possible to get wireless zoned heating systems, where all elements can be controlled by a wireless zone controller or via an app over the internet.

What if My Current System Isn’t Compatible?

Most suppliers of zone heating systems can assess whether your current heating setup is suitable for converting to a zoned system.

If it’s not, upgrading your boiler or heating system could be a very smart move. Although the initial cost will be high, a more efficient system can save you significant money over time by reducing wasted energy, possibly even more than the outlay of a new heating system.

Tip: It is suggested that adding a room thermostat, if you don’t already have one, is one of the simplest upgrades and could potentially cut your heating bill by up to 30%.

For further efficiency, installing a thermostat with Time Proportional Integral (TPI) control helps condensing boilers run more efficiently. TACMA tests show potential savings of up to 10%, and more precise control allows for lower set points without sacrificing comfort, adding even more savings.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Zoned Heating?

To aid in making the right decision as to whether installing a zoned heating system is the right way to go, it’s important to be aware of all the good and bad aspects, so you can make a proper informed decision, here follows the most common of these:

Advantages of Zone Heating

• Energy Efficiency: One of the biggest advantages of zone heating is the ability to reduce energy consumption by only heating the areas that are in use as you can effectively lower overall energy use, which helps cut down on heating bills and contributes to a more eco-friendly home.
• Custom Comfort: Zone heating allows for personalized comfort. Different people prefer different temperatures, so being able to heat specific zones to varying degrees ensures everyone in the home can enjoy their ideal level of warmth without compromising.
• Savings on Bills: Because you’re not wasting energy on heating unused rooms, zone heating can lead to significant savings on your bills. It allows you to focus energy usage where it’s needed most, reducing waste and making your home heating system more efficient.
• Extended System Lifespan: By using your heating system less frequently or only in specific zones, you can reduce wear and tear on the system as a whole, potentially extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

Disadvantages of Zone Heating

• Higher Initial Installation Costs: One of the biggest downsides is the initial installation cost. Whether you’re retrofitting an existing system or installing a new one, adding thermostats, control panels etc. can come at significantly expense.
• Complexity and Maintenance: Zoned heating systems are more complex than traditional single-zone heating. With multiple thermostats, valves, and control units, there’s more equipment that can potentially break or require routine maintenance.
• Incompatibility with Older Systems: Not all zoned heating systems are compatible with all central heating systems. If your current system isn’t designed to work with such a system it may need a full upgrade.
• Uneven Heating: While zone heating is designed to provide targeted comfort to a specific area, some homeowners report experiencing uneven heating. If the system isn’t correctly calibrated or balanced, issues such as this can easily occur.
• Limited Savings for Small Homes: Zone heating is most effective in larger homes with multiple room, levels or unused areas. For smaller homes or apartments, the potential savings may not justify the installation costs.

What are Building Regulation Requirements for Zoned Heating?

UK Building Regulations Document L covers all the aspects of the installation of zoned water central heating systems and it ensures a focus on enhancing energy efficiency and providing better control over home heating.

In brief, requirements include separate zone controls, time and temperature regulation, boiler interlocks, and the meeting of minimum energy efficiency standards.

By following these regulations, homeowners can ensure that their heating system is not only compliant but also more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in the long term.

For full details on the precise requirements involved, you will need to read part L of the Building Regulations Approved Document and adhere to all requirements at all times.