So you’re ready to install zoning in your customer’s home or business. Congratulations! Let’s make the next part as easy as possible, with this advice on getting your HVAC zoning system kit.
There are just five parts you’ll need to install an Arzel Zoning system.
We’ll explain a little more about each component below, so you can find the right one for your needs.
We have a few zoning panels to choose from. To find the one that fits your application, consider the type of equipment and the way the system will be used. Most of the time, you’ll want to use our HeatPumPro for residential zoning, our AirBoss for light commercial applications, and our MPS for new construction and other simple zoning jobs.
Zoning panels from Arzel come with these parts included:
Some other necessary parts are not included with the panel, and we’ll go over those next.
The dampers are the most essential part of every HVAC zoning system kit. We don’t sell a standard package of dampers because your needs will vary based on the existing ductwork and how you choose to zone it.
Arzel offers rectangular dampers that fit inside the main trunk line, as well as round dampers that fit into the branches or runs. You’ll order the dampers based on the size of your duct. So if you need a damper for a round duct that’s six inches in diameter, you will order our 6-inch round EzySlide damper.
Maybe you need another damper for a rectangular duct that’s 8” x 16”. For rectangular dampers, you can choose which side of the damper has the actuator. If the actuator is on the longer side, we call that a bottom-mount damper. When the actuator is on the shorter side, we can that a side-mount damper. However, Arzel dampers and NOT position-sensitive, so you can place the actuator on the side of a duct if it’s easier to install that way. Going back to our example, let’s say you want to place the actuator on the bottom of the duct, and the bottom of the duct is the 16-inch side. In that case, you’ll order an 8 x 16 bottom mount EzySlide damper.
Yes! You can use a mixture of round dampers and rectangular dampers. In many applications, contractors will be able to use a trunk damper to create one or two zones, but the other zones can’t be separated with trunk dampers alone. In these cases, you can use round dampers in each run that feeds the zone.
One pump (located in every Arzel Zoning control panel) can operate up to 35 actuators. Usually that means that one panel can operate 35 dampers. However, some of our larger dampers have two actuators, so you’ll have to count those twice. If you need more than 35 actuators, we can build a custom zoning panel with two pumps. Having two pumps would increase the max actuator number to 70.
Our most common dampers go into existing ducts with a simple cut-in. You can watch a round damper installation or a rectangular damper installation. The cut-in design makes it quick and easy to install retrofit zoning. But it’s not the only option!
We offer dampers pre-installed in round metal sleeves. These are most commonly used in new construction, light commercial, and flex duct applications.
Arzel Zoning is known for its line of ingenious retrofit dampers. EzyFit dampers fold like a taco, InsertaDampers compress with a squeeze then spring into place, and RegiDampers go right under the register. These dampers make zoning possible in more places. Here’s how to install dampers in existing ductwork, even when some of the ductwork is buried.
Arzel Zoning systems use a single air pump to power all of the dampers on each zoning system. This is not the old-fashioned pneumatic systems you may have worked with in the past. It’s just a simple air tube that connects each damper to the zoning control panel. We recommend using a different color tubing for each zone. It’s faster and easier to install than wiring! For a demo of how the tubing works, see our video on how to install Arzel tubing.
We offer two types of tubing. For most jobs, you can use our standard PVC tubing. If you are installing insertable dampers like EzyFit, InsertaDamper, or RegiDamper, you’ll need to run tubing inside the ductwork. For these applications, use our plenum-rated tubing. Both types of tubing come in eight colors, so you can pick one color for each zone.
Sometimes a zoning system is so simple that there’s just one damper on each zone. In those cases, you can just run one piece of tubing from the damper to the control panel and call it a day. But what do you do when you have more than one damper on each zone? Well, that’s when you connect the tubing with fittings.
Arzel fittings can connect or plug air tubing to build the system you need. The most common type is the tee fitting, which you’ll use to add dampers on a zone. There are also elbow fittings that make a 90-degree bend. Use the connector fittings if you cut a piece of tubing too short. Finally, the plug fittings come in handy if you’re troubleshooting and want to block off a zone.
You won’t need any special tools to work with Arzel fittings and tubing. Just push the tubing onto the fitting, and the barbed fitting will hold the tubing in place.
You’ll need one thermostat for each zone of your system. Arzel systems are compatible with a wide variety of thermostats, so you can usually use whatever thermostat homeowners prefer. There are some limitations, depending on the panel you’re using and the equipment on the HVAC system.
The HeatPumPro zoning system supports any standard 24 VAC thermostat, even if you’re using a heat pump. You can use a heat pump thermostat on zone one if you want, but you don’t have to. The HeatPumPro zoning panel can handle staging and backup heat with a standard thermostat.
If you’re installing an AirBoss or MPS, you can use a standard 24 VAC thermostat for most applications. However, you will need to use a heat pump thermostat if you’re controlling a heat pump. These panels do not have the ability to control backup heat or staging.
With Arzel Zoning, you can mix and match to build the HVAC zoning system kit that works for your application. Start with the equipment you’re controlling, and choose a zoning panel that best fits your application. Then determine where on the system you’ll need dampers. For a lot of zones, you’ll be able to use our standard EzySlide dampers. We have a number of sizes in stock, but we also offer custom sizes and shapes. (We have made oval dampers before!) If you have limited access to the ductwork, try our insertable damper options like EzyFit, InsertaDamper, or RegiDamper.
After you know which panel and dampers you’ll use, there are just a few more things to add. We recommend one color of tubing per zone, so if you’re designing a three-zone system, choose three different colors. Then consider which fittings you’ll need. Most jobs require tee fittings, and it’s good to have come couplings on hand in case you cut a piece of tubing too short or get to the end of a roll. You may also want elbow fittings to make your work neat, or plugs to help with troubleshooting.
Finally, add your thermostats. You’ll need one thermostat for each zone. In most cases, you can use any standard thermostat, including WiFi thermostats.
With that, you have an effective HVAC zoning system kit. If you have questions about building yours, ask an application question. Thanks for installing comfort!
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