Zoning Suitability Checklist
Is zoning right for your home — and your equipment?
Zoning can improve comfort, but only when the home and system are designed for it. Use this checklist before agreeing to zoning.
Step 1: Home Layout & Comfort Problems
Check all that apply:
☐ Two-story home with temperature differences
☐ Large open areas mixed with small rooms
☐ Rooms that are consistently too hot or too cold
☐ Bedrooms used at different times than living areas
☐ Finished basement or bonus room over garage
➡️ If you checked none, zoning may not provide much benefit.
Step 2: Existing Duct System
Zoning depends heavily on duct design.
☐ Multiple trunk lines already exist
☐ Adequate return air in each zone
☐ Ducts are accessible (basement, attic, crawlspace)
☐ No history of high static pressure issues
⚠️ Red flag:
Single large trunk serving the entire house
Limited or undersized return air
Step 3: Equipment Compatibility (Critical)
This is where most zoning problems happen.
What type of system is being proposed?
☐ Single-stage AC
☐ Two-stage AC
☐ Variable-speed / inverter system
Important guidance:
❌ Single-stage systems are poor candidates for zoning
⚠️ Two-stage systems can work, but with limitations
✅ Variable-speed systems are best suited for zoning
If zoning is proposed with a single-stage system, ask why.
Step 4: Return Air Evaluation
Proper return air is mandatory for zoning.
☐ Each zone has its own return path
☐ Return sizing was calculated, not guessed
☐ Contractor discussed pressure relief or bypass strategies
⚠️ Zoning without adequate return air can cause:
Excessive noise
Short equipment life
Comfort complaints
Efficiency loss
Step 5: Contractor Design Process
Ask your contractor:
☐ Was a load calculation performed for each zone?
☐ How will static pressure be managed?
☐ What happens when only one zone calls?
☐ How will humidity be controlled?
If these answers are vague, zoning may be sold — not designed.
Bottom Line
Zoning is not a product.
It’s a system design choice.
When done correctly, zoning can greatly improve comfort.
When done incorrectly, it creates noise, inefficiency, and premature failure.