When my husband and I purchased a historic home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we were delighted by the hardwood floors, ornate moldings and wide front porch.
We never considered how difficult the high ceilings, big windows and numerous room would be for temperature control.
The winters in Minneapolis bring frequent temperatures in the single digits. It’s not uncommon to experience sub zero conditions. While the summer weather isn’t quite as severe, the temperature climbs into the mid eighties and brings high humidity. The cost of keeping a comfortable home contributes to approximately fifty percent of energy expenses. Despite paying excessively costly utility bills, not every room in the house felt comfortable. There were areas that were consistently chilly and others that tended to become overheated. With a single thermostat handling the demands of the whole house, there was no way to answer these issues. Plus, the upstairs of the house tended to be warmer than the downstairs. There are also several rooms we never use. We were paying to keet and cool empty living space. I finally consulted with a local Minneapolis HVAC contractor about the problem. He recommended updating to zone control. Fortunately, our furnace, air conditioner and ductwork were modern enough to accommodate the improvement. A series of valves were installed into the ductwork to direct airflow. We now have thermostats mounted in the individual rooms that allow customized temperature settings. The difference has been amazing. We are saving a significant amount of money on monthly energy bills. There is far less wear and tear on the heating and cooling system and yet my family is much more comfortable. Each family member is able to adjust temperature in their bedroom to their preference.