ACCA News Briefs - ZoningSupply.com first feature

ZoningSupply.com is absolutely thrilled and honored to be featured in the latest ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) newsletter. The inclusion in ACCA’s June 6, 2025, edition is a significant recognition from one of the most esteemed organizations in the HVAC industry—an endorsement we don’t take lightly.

Why this matters so much to us

Being highlighted in ACCA's newsletter places ZoningSupply.com directly in front of professional HVAC contractors, engineers, and industry decision-makers. These are the people who depend daily on high-performance zoning systems and quality components to deliver market-leading comfort, efficiency, and precision to their customers. It's an invaluable endorsement that resonates on two fronts:

1. Industry validation. ACCA represents the gold standard for HVAC professionals. Their newsletter is a trusted source—so being featured underscores the reliability and merit of our products and services.

2. Broader reach. The ACCA newsletter goes out to a vast network of active contractors and technical professionals. This means our message makes its way into inboxes of contractors who might not yet know us—but absolutely need us.

What ZoningSupply.com brings to the table

At ZoningSupply.com, we specialize in top-tier zoning controls, dampers, thermostats, and accessories. Our passion and expertise lie in delivering:

• Precision control technologies: Enabling contractors to tailor environmental comfort on a room-by-room basis, effectively addressing load diversity and delivering from demand-driven comfort systems.

• Energy optimization: Helping homeowners and building managers reduce energy usage and increase HVAC system longevity through zoned control strategies.

• Contractor-centric support: We know how important it is for contractors to have dependable service, fast shipping, and easy returns—and we make that a priority.

Being featured in ACCA’s newsletter gives us a powerful opportunity to reinforce these messages. We see it as a chance to say, “Yes—you can trust us with your most demanding jobs. We’ve demonstrated our commitment to excellence and leading-edge solutions.”

How we’ll leverage this spotlight

Our ACCA feature isn’t just an accolade—it’s a platform. Here's what comes next:

• Deepened partnerships: We will connect with ACCA member contractors to share case studies, installation tips, and training resources.

• Enhanced educational outreach: We'll create webinars and white papers that dive into zoning best practices.

• Continued innovation: As ACCA elevates industry standards (through Manual J®, Manual D®, zoning specifications, etc.), we’ll stay at the cutting edge—introducing new thermostats, actuators, and communications modules aligned with ACCA methodologies.

A heartfelt thank-you

To ACCA: thank you for spotlighting us. Recognitions like this fuel our mission to empower HVAC professionals with smarter, more precise control solutions. And to ACCA members: we’re eager to deepen our collaboration, support your next zoning or retrofit project, and help drive industry-wide excellence.

Here at ZoningSupply.com, we’re motivated more than ever—thank you for featuring us, and for being a pivotal part of our ongoing journey toward precision comfort and energy-efficient HVAC innovation.

Solving Hot and Cold Spots with Ecojay SmartZone: The Key to Ultimate Home Comfort

The Problem: Uneven Temperatures in the Home

Have you ever noticed that certain areas of your home always seem to be hotter or colder than others? Maybe the upstairs bedrooms feel like a sauna in the summer, while the basement is freezing year-round. These temperature imbalances are a common problem in many homes, and they can lead to discomfort, higher energy bills, and unnecessary wear on your HVAC system.

The root cause of this issue is the way traditional HVAC systems operate. Most homes have a single thermostat that controls the temperature for the entire house. This means your system is either heating or cooling the whole home based on the temperature in just one location—often the hallway or living room. This single-point control doesn’t account for natural variations in temperature due to sunlight exposure, room usage, or airflow inefficiencies. As a result, you end up with hot and cold spots, leading to an ongoing battle with fans, space heaters, and constant thermostat adjustments.

The Solution: Smart HVAC Zoning with Ecojay SmartZone

Ecojay’s SmartZone system is designed to eliminate these temperature imbalances by intelligently controlling airflow throughout your home. Instead of relying on a single thermostat, SmartZone allows you to divide your home into multiple climate-controlled zones, each with its own thermostat. This means your HVAC system can send conditioned air only where it’s needed, rather than wasting energy heating or cooling the entire house when only certain areas need adjustment.

SmartZone works by using motorized dampers installed within your ductwork. These dampers open and close to direct airflow precisely where it's needed, based on the temperature settings in each zone. If your upstairs bedrooms are too warm, SmartZone will send more cool air to those areas while reducing airflow to other parts of the home that are already at a comfortable temperature. Conversely, during colder months, it ensures heat is delivered to rooms that need it most, eliminating the common problem of freezing basements and chilly bedrooms.

How SmartZone Improves Home Comfort

1. Addressing Hot Spots

One of the biggest benefits of SmartZone is its ability to tackle those notoriously hot areas in your home. South-facing rooms, upper floors, and rooms with large windows often receive excessive sunlight, making them warmer than the rest of the house. With a standard HVAC setup, these rooms remain hot because the thermostat in a different part of the home may not detect the higher temperature. SmartZone solves this by ensuring that cool air is directed to these problem areas exactly when it's needed, keeping the entire home comfortable.

2. Eliminating Cold Spots

Just as hot spots are a problem, so are cold spots—especially in basements or rooms that lack sufficient airflow. SmartZone allows you to send more warm air to these spaces without overheating the rest of the home, creating a balanced and even temperature throughout. No more bundling up with extra blankets or using space heaters just to make one room livable.

3. Customizable Comfort for Every Family Member

Every household has different temperature preferences. Some people like to sleep in a cool room, while others prefer a warmer environment. With SmartZone, each person can set their own preferred temperature for their bedroom or living space. This means no more thermostat wars between family members—everyone gets the comfort level they desire.

4. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

By directing heating and cooling only where it’s needed, SmartZone prevents wasted energy, reducing your HVAC system’s workload. This leads to lower energy bills and extends the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment. Instead of running at full capacity for the entire home, SmartZone helps your system operate more efficiently, reducing wear and tear over time.

5. Smart Integration and Automation

Ecojay’s SmartZone system can be integrated with smart home technology, allowing you to control your home’s climate remotely. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just lounging in another room, you can adjust settings using a smartphone or tablet. Additionally, SmartZone can learn your household’s heating and cooling patterns, optimizing comfort and efficiency automatically.

Other Comfort Benefits of SmartZone

Beyond solving hot and cold spots, SmartZone provides additional advantages that contribute to a more comfortable home environment:

• Reduced Noise: Traditional HVAC systems often operate at full blast to heat or cool the entire house. With SmartZone, your system can run at lower speeds more often, resulting in a quieter operation.

• Better Air Quality: By controlling airflow more precisely, SmartZone helps distribute air more evenly, reducing stagnation and improving indoor air quality.

• Extended Equipment Life: Because your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, it experiences less strain, leading to fewer breakdowns and a longer lifespan.

Is SmartZone Right for Your Home?

If you’re struggling with temperature imbalances and looking for a way to improve comfort while also saving on energy costs, Ecojay SmartZone is the perfect solution. It’s ideal for:

• Multi-level homes where upstairs rooms get too hot or too cold.

• Homes with large windows or sunrooms that experience extreme temperature variations.

• Families with differing temperature preferences.

• Anyone looking to increase HVAC efficiency and reduce energy bills.

Conclusion

No one should have to deal with hot and cold spots in their home. Ecojay SmartZone offers a powerful yet simple solution to this common problem by intelligently directing airflow where and when it’s needed. By customizing comfort for each zone, improving energy efficiency, and integrating with smart home systems, SmartZone transforms the way your HVAC system operates, ensuring a comfortable and balanced home environment all year round.

If you’re ready to take control of your home’s comfort and eliminate temperature imbalances for good, consider upgrading to Ecojay SmartZone. Your home—and your family—will thank you.

Sale

SmartZone-4X 3.0

Sale Price: $269.99 Original Price: $299.00

How to Operate an HVAC Zoning System Efficiently

Managing your home's HVAC system efficiently ensures comfort, energy savings, and longevity for your equipment. With a 4-zone SmartZone control system, Vine connected Wi-Fi thermostats, and EcoJay’s Outdoor Temperature Controller with free-cooling features (economizer), you have the tools to achieve optimal performance. Here are some tips to get the most out of your setup:

1. Set Smart Thermostat Schedules

Using the scheduling feature on your Vine Wi-Fi thermostats is one of the easiest ways to save energy:

• Create zone-specific schedules based on occupancy. For instance, prioritize heating or cooling in bedrooms during the night and in common areas during the day.

• Set back temperatures when zones are unoccupied. For example, raise the cooling setpoint by 4–6°F or lower the heating setpoint by 8–10°F.

2. Take Advantage of the Free-Cooling Feature

The free-cooling feature, also known as an economizer, can reduce energy usage by leveraging outdoor air for cooling when the conditions are favorable. EcoJay’s Outdoor Temperature Controller makes this easy:

• Understand the conditions for free-cooling: Free-cooling is effective when outdoor air is cooler than your indoor setpoint and has low humidity.

• Configure your economizer settings:

  • Set the temperature threshold on the Outdoor Temperature Controller to activate free-cooling (e.g., when outdoor temperatures are below 60°F).

  • Adjust the dampers to let in fresh, cool outdoor air while minimizing mechanical cooling.

• Use during transitional seasons: Spring and fall are ideal for economizer use, as outdoor temperatures are often moderate.

• Monitor system operation: Ensure the economizer dampers and controller are functioning correctly to avoid overcooling or bringing in excessive humidity.

3. Balance Zones Appropriately

• Ensure proper damper operation: Verify that the dampers for each zone respond correctly to thermostat commands. Stuck or malfunctioning dampers can lead to inefficiency and discomfort.

• Avoid extreme setpoints: Large temperature differences between zones can strain your HVAC system. Keep setpoints within 5°F to 10°F of each other for smoother operation.

• Minimize unused zones: If a zone is rarely used, set its thermostat to a minimal setting to conserve energy while ensuring the zone doesn’t fall too far out of the desired range.

4. Optimize Ventilation and Airflow

• Keep vents clear: Ensure furniture or curtains do not block air supply and return vents.

• Regularly clean filters: Dirty filters restrict airflow, making your system work harder. Replace or clean filters every 1–3 months, depending on usage.

• Inspect the ductwork: Leaks in ducts can lead to significant energy loss. Seal any gaps with professional-grade duct tape or mastic sealant.

5. Use Thermostat Features Wisely

Vine thermostats have smart features to enhance efficiency:

• Enable geofencing: This adjusts settings automatically based on whether you’re home or away.

• Monitor energy usage: Use the app to track heating and cooling patterns and make adjustments to schedules or setpoints.

• Utilize adaptive recovery: If your Vine thermostats support it, this feature gradually adjusts the temperature to ensure comfort by the time you’ve scheduled it, avoiding unnecessary overuse of the HVAC system.

6. Stay Ahead with Maintenance

• Inspect the economizer regularly: Dust, debris, or malfunctioning components can affect free-cooling performance. Clean and maintain the dampers, sensors, and outdoor air intake.

• Schedule professional checkups: A technician can ensure your entire system, including the SmartZone controller and economizer, is functioning efficiently.

Conclusion

Your SmartZone HVAC system, paired with Vine thermostats and EcoJay’s SmartZone PLUS Outdoor Temperature Controller, offers great potential for comfort and efficiency. By implementing smart schedules, leveraging free-cooling, balancing zones, and maintaining your system, you can enjoy a more energy-efficient and comfortable home.

Regular monitoring and adjustments ensure that your HVAC system meets your household's needs while keeping energy costs low.

Sale

SmartZone-4X

Sale Price: $239.99 Original Price: $299.00

WiFi Thermosat -ST300

$99.99

Sale

Outdoor Air Thermostat

Sale Price: $59.99 Original Price: $79.99

NEW Product: Common Wire Adapter Kit

Sometimes, when upgrading to SmartZone or even when upgrading to a new modern thermostat without zoning, the existing wires running to the old thermostat do not have enough conductors to make it operate properly. It can sometimes be an impossible task to run a new wire to the location where the thermostat or SmartZone panel is located. For some time, we have been recommending the use of an “Add-A-Wire” kit from LUX to solve this problem but we are now offering a solution from Vine called a COMMON WIRE ADAPTER. This new solution is available at ZoningSupply.com and can be added to any thermostat that needs an additional wire.

Existing: Three (3) wires, Needed for upgrade: Four (4) wires

Existing: Four (4) wires, Needed for upgrade: Five (5) wires

Existing: Five (5) wires, Needed for upgrade: Six (6) wires

…

Common Wire Adapter Kit

$24.99

Works with any thermostat that needs a common wire. Nest, Honeywell, LUX, Vine, Braeburn, Trane, Johnson, Carrier, Bosch, and MANY MORE.

WiFi Thermosat -ST300

$99.99

Fresh Air for better Indoor Air Quality

When people think about increasing the Indoor Air Quality of their homes, most probably think about pollutants like smoke/smog or allergens like pollen. Since these originate “outdoors”, the most logical thought is to close up your home as tight as possible and get an air cleaner of some sort. Although air cleaners like filters can and do help reduce the particles in the air to a varying degree, there is MORE to AIR quality than just “cleaning” the air.

The most critical and often overlooked aspect of having good indoor air quality is FRESH AIR. This, in it’s simplest form, is bringing outside air … inside. The first thought of objection might be that it seems counter-intuitive to bring air in that could have pollutants to try and “clean” the air, however, the EPA and other independant studies by AHRAE have shown that the pollutants like pollen can be 2 or 3x as high as outside air if a home is not properly ventilated. (see link below for sources and further explanation)

EPA recommendations for improving Indoor Air Quality: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-indoor-air-quality

A “properly ventilated” house includes both the intake of fresh air and the exhaust of inside air. Most homes come equipped with plenty of exhaust either in the bathrooms or kitchen vent hood but many do not have nearly enough intake of outside air. As a matter of fact, up until the 2000s, most homes were not equipped with any Fresh Air management at all which means that the only outside air that was coming inside was through cracks around doors and window. You might think this was an accident but it was actually “designed” this way because it has been know for 100 plus years that outside air is necessary for a healthy and clean air environment.

SmartZone-4X has a built-in FRESH AIR controller, that can be used to automatically (or manually) bring fresh air into the building. It was designed as a feature to meet the ASHRAE 62.2 standard but has many additional and useful features that make it more desirable than a standard “Fresh Air Control” like the Honeywell W8150.

Shown below, the SmartZone can be used as a “stand-alone” fresh air controller even without the need for any zoning.

Find out more and learn about the Adavanced Fresh Air control features: FRESH AIR - Enthalpy Control

Buy SmartZone-4X for your Fresh Air control

Where's your Comfort Zone? - SmartZone can help!

During the cold days winter it's nice to get cozy by the fireplace or curl up under a warm blanket.. or in the summer you might find yourself standing in front of the air conditioner vents or a fan for a little relief from the heat.   Is this because it's just not possible for your entire home to be comfortable?  It may be because you are concerned with the energy use or $$ being spent to keep the home cool/warm OR it may be that certain areas of your home just never seem to be comfortable.  If one or more rooms in your home seem to ALWAYS be outside your "comfort zone", Ecojay's SmartZone may be able to help.  Directing airflow (heat/cool) to the rooms that you want, can make rooms in your home comfortable when you want them to be.

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Learn more about how SmartZone will work for you

Sale

SmartZone-4X

Sale Price: $239.99 Original Price: $299.00

Quantity:

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PRO-Grade Power Zone Damper (Round)

from $69.99

Motor: Select Motor YES MotorNO Motor

Diameter: Select Diameter 4"5"6"7"8"9"10"12"14"16"18"

Quantity:

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Home comfort hack: Could ZONE CONTROL improve your home's indoor climate?

Installing zone control in your home allows you to add thermostats to several areas (rooms) so temperature can be controlled throughout the house.  Most homes have only a single thermostat located in a "central" area.  This means the temperature of the whole house is determined at this one spot.  With zone control, temperature is measured and controlled in each zone for more comfort everywhere.

There are many reasons that zone control might be desirable (or even necessary). 

• Homes with two stories where the upstairs is regularly warmer than downstairs during the winter can benefit from zone control.  
• If a house has a fireplace that causes some areas of the home to get too cold when a fire is burning, zone control can help balance the temperature and keep those cold areas warm. 
• Bonus rooms or unused bedrooms can be turned off with zone control when not in use.
• Computer rooms or grow areas that need to be a different (more consistent) temperature than the rest of the house.

Zone control can balance temperatures to  create a comfortable living space throughout your home or create different temperatures throughout a building for varying needs.

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CLICK HERE to find out more about how HVAC Zone Control works and if it will work for you.

ADD-A-WIRE with Zone Control

An ADD-A-WIRE device can be used when upgrading to thermostats that need a "COMMON" wire from one that didn't have one... and there is no way to run the additional wire needed.  This device, ranging from $15 to $40 can come in very handy especially in the case of zone control where one or more thermostat does not have enough wires to accomodate a modern thermostat such as a WiFi thermostat.

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Be sure to follow the wiring diagram for the specific model of "ADD-A-WIRE" as well as the system type.  Show here is the LUX Products LPB-WH Power Bridge wired to a GAS/ELECTRIC thermostat and SmartZone-4X controller, however, the basic principal is the same for any application.

All of the different ADD-A-WIRE models come with instructions, read them carefully and follow exactly and you won't have any problems.

For more information about the method of ADD-A-WIRE when there is no way to run an extra wire from your zone panel to your equipment, check out this post:
https://zoningsupply.com/blog/upgrading-thermostats-solving-a-common-problem

From an engineering perspective this is an elegant and simple solution.  Without giving away trade secrets, the ones i have tested use the a half wave bridge using diodes at the thermostat and some simple relay logic plus the another half wave at the equipment (no micro necessary) to use only 1 wire for both Y and G signals.... brilliant.

For more information, or with any questions, please contact us.

MEP Drawings & Specs for Generic HVAC Zone Control System

Typical wording for HVAC Mechanical drawings to include SmartZone Zone control (2 to 8 zones):

“ECOJAY SMARTZONE ZS2X (2 ZONES) OR ZS4X (UP TO 4 TO 8 ZONES)

1. SMARTZONE CONTROLLER SHALL INCLUDE FLASH BASED MICROPROCESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF UP TO 2 ZONES (ZS2X), 4 ZONES (ZS4X) OR 8 ZONES (TWO-ZS4X CONTROLLERS) ON A SINGLE HVAC SYSTEM.

2. SMARTZONE CONTROLLER SHALL INCLUDE LED DISPLAY WITH FULL TEXT STATUS
MONITORING AND DIAGNOSIS OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM STATUS AND SUPPLY TEMPERATURE.

3. SMARTZONE CONTROLLER SHALL CONTAIN ELECTRONIC LIMIT CONTROL (ELC) SUPPLY AIR SENSOR WHICH ALLOWS CONSTANT MONITORING OF THE LEAVING (SUPPLY) AIR TEMPERATURE

5. PUSH BUTTONS SHALL ALLOW FOR DIGITAL ADJUSTMENT OF HIGH AND LOW LIMIT

4. IN THE EVENT OF SUPPLY AIR SENSOR OR SENSOR WIRING FAILURE, THE CONTROLLER SHALL CONTINUE OPERATING THE HVAC SYSTEM AS A SINGLE ZONE SYSTEM WITHOUT INTERRUPTION

6. ON HEAT PUMPS SYSTEMS, EMERGENCY HEAT MUST BE INITIATED FROM THERMOSTAT #1, NOT A SWITCH ON THE ZONE CONTROL BOARD.

7. EACH ZONE CONTROLLER THERMOSTAT TERMINAL AND EQUIPMENT TERMINAL SHALL HAVE A COLOR-CODED LED ALLOWING FOR EASY MONITORING OF THERMOSTATS AND SYSTEM CALLS.

8. ROUND ZONE DAMPER MOTORS SHALL BE 2-POSITION (OPEN/CLOSE) DESIGN WITH A SOFT-EDGE BLADE DAMPER SIZE AS ROUND DUCT IN WHICH BLADE GASKET AND SHALL BE POWERED BY 24VAC POWER OPEN / POWER CLOSE MOTOR DEVELOPING MINIMUM 10 IN-LB. OF TORQUE AT MAX 4 VA

9. RECTANGULAR ZONE DAMPER MOTORS SHALL BE 2-POSITION (OPEN/CLOSE) DESIGN WITH EXTRUDED ALUMINUM FRAME & LOUVERS & METAL SHAFT LINKAGES AND SHALL BE POWERED BY 24VAC POWER OPEN / POWER CLOSE MOTOR DEVELOPING MINIMUM 10 IN-LB. OF TORQUE AT MAX 4 VA

10. ALL ZONE DAMPERS SHALL INCLUDE ACCURATE, NON-ADJUSTABLE & ADJUSTABLE, BLADE POSITION INDICATOR AND ADJUSTABLE MINIMUM STOP CAPABILITY (MIN OPEN & MIN CLOSE).

11. AUTOMATIC, ELECTRONIC BYPASS DAMPER WITH STATIC PRESSURE CONTROL IS REQUIRED WITH 24V ELECTRIC ACTUATORS UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.

12. ZONE CONTROLLER, DAMPER MOTORS AND THERMOSTATS SHALL BE POWERED WITH A SEPARATE 24V FUSED TRANSFORMER (TYPICALLY 40VA) PROVIDED BY HVAC CONTRACTOR.

13. CONTACT ECOJAY.COM or 1-888-523-ECOJAY FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TRAINING
”

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WiFi Thermostat Roundup 2017

Just a few short years ago, WiFi thermostats were only made by a very few companies starting with Ecobee and RadioThermostat, followed by Nest.  A couple of years pass and big names in the HVAC industry (Honeywell, Emerson, Venstar, etc) join the WiFi thermostat party.  In 2017 we have more to chose from than can easily be kept up with.  Note: All prices as of this article publish date.

All of the WiFi thermostats listed below will work with any SmartZone

I am sure there will be even more on the market in 2018, we will keep watching the WiFi thermostat bubble grow!  More than 15 are listed here (and I know they are not all listed).  If you know of any more, comment or tweet to us @zoning_supply

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Bosch - $ 170, 4-Heat, 2-Cool, GE/HP, Hum, deHum, Color: White
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XHD8BB

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Ecobee Si - $ 145, 2-Heat, 2-Cool, Color: White
https://www.amazon.com/ecobee-Thermostat-Heat-2-NON-Touch-Screen/dp/B008F40R4C/

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TOP PICK

*Ecobee 3 - $ 169, 3-Heat, 2-Cool, Best for zoning in our opinion.
https://www.amazon.com/ecobee3-Smart-Thermostat-Works-Amazon/dp/B06W56TBLN/

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PREMIUM CHOICE

Ecobee 4 - $ 247, 3-Heat, 2-Cool, Alexa-Enabled
https://www.amazon.com/ecobee4-Alexa-Enabled-Thermostat-Sensor-Amazon/dp/B06W2LQY6L/

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Emerson Sensi Color Touch - $ 169, 2 Heat, 2 Cool, GE/HP
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3CEUDH?psc=1

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Emerson Sensi - $ 99, 1 Heat, 1 Cool, GE/HP
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HHE6CW2?psc=1

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Nest - $ 249, 3-Heat, 2-Cool
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0131RG6VK/

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Honeywell Color Touch - $ 190
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-TH9320WF5003-Touchscreen-Thermostat-Amazon/dp/B00G4CIG7M/

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Honeywell Lyric T5 - $ 110
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RCHT8610WF2006-Programmable-Touchscreen-Thermostat/dp/B01LTHM8LG/

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Honeywell Lyric Round - $ 170, Geofencing
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Thermostat-Contractor-Version-Amazon/dp/B00KX3M1LA/

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Honeywell Basic 7-day - $ 90, 1-Heat, 1-Cool, GE, Color: White (Yes this is WiFi--even though it doesn't look like anything other than an inexpensive thermostat)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y6M2OUC/

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Honeywell B&W Touch - $ 118
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Wi-Fi-Programmable-Touchscreen-Thermostat/dp/B00EP6C8UA/

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iDevices Thermostat - $ 112
https://www.amazon.com/iDevices-Thermostat-Wi-Fi-Works-Amazon/dp/B019GQM6LY/

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VALUE CHOICE #1

Lux PRO GEO - $ 115, Geofencing, Mount Vertical or Horizontal, Color: Black or White
https://www.amazon.com/Lux-Products-GEO-WH-Thermostat-Amazon/dp/B010PTKWW6/

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RadioThermostat - $ 99, 2-Heat, 2-Cool, GE/HP, Modules for Zigbee & Z-Wave
https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Thermostat-Programmable-Enabled-Controls/dp/B00KQS35XA/

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VALUE CHOICE #2

*Vine - $ 99, Settings Knob, Color Screen & Night-Light
https://www.amazon.com/Vine-Programmable-Thermostat-Touchscreen-Nightlight/dp/B01JU1DZN8/

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Vine Touch - $ 129 Color Touch Screen,
https://www.amazon.com/Vine-Smart-Wi-Fi-Thermostat-TJ-919/dp/B01N7UNSAP/

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Any information in this article should be verified with the manufacturer of each product listed.  Specifications, prices & availability are all subject to change and will not be kept current on this post.  Please email us if you have any questions.

ALSO NOTE:  We (I) have not been paid or compensated in any way for this article by any of the manufacturers of these products.  I have not even received any free product... anything reviewed has been purchased through retail outlets and tested with SmartZone zone control products for the use of ZoningSupply.com customers.  This information is not intended to be exhaustive or claim expert knowledge about all of these thermostats.  Thank you.

Need more than 40VA to power LOTs of dampers on one SmartZone?

Some systems with many small ducts leading to each zone can require lots of dampers.  The example below is a 2 zone system that requires 6 dampers per zone (12 total).  If you look at the zoning guide, you will find that you should budget for at least 55VA for this system... but you only have 40 VA transformers.  75 and 100 VA transformers can get VERY expensive!  Instead you can use two 40VA transformers, but not how you think.  It can be dangerous and unreliable to connect transformers in parallel to create ~80VA.  We recommend the method below that employs the use of a simple relay to separate half of the dampers to be powered from a second transformer and the other half being powered by the SmartZone and it's transformer.

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See the SmartZone Install Guide to calculate required VA.

It is always necessary to verify that the PRIMARY side power is sufficient to power the transformer connected.  A dedicated PRIMARY circuit is best but not always possible.  If sharing the 110V or 220V circuit, make sure the total power required for all devices connected (including zoning transformers) doesn't exceed the capacity of the circuit (usually 15 or 20 AMPS).

Where to get a relay?
Any 24V relay with a DPST or DPDT configuration will work.  The one pictured in the above diagram is available at ZoningSupply.com (see below).   If you are chosing your own relay, the "Contact" current rating will determine how many dampers can be connected.  (For example: A 10 Amp relay can handle up to 10 power open, power closed dampers)

24V Relay - DPDT

$14.99

Quantity:

Add to cart

Power Open/Close Motor

from $79.99

w/ LEDs: Select w/ LEDs NOYES

Quantity:

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SmartZone is great opportunity for DISTRIBUTORS.

There are many reasons that distributors should take a look at stocking SmartZone, but basically because they can make more money & have a higher customer satisfaction with a very low up-front investment.

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1. Only 2 models needed to cover all applications.
   A lot of manufacturers require stocking 5,6... even dozens of different products to get the best price.  With SmartZone, you only need the SmartZone-2 and the SmartZone-4X.  That's right, only 2 models will cover everything from 2 zones to 20 zones, single & multi-stage, gas/electric & heat pump (including dual fuel).  As a bonus, the SmartZone-4X has built-in Fresh-Air control.
    
2. Best wholesale pricing.
   Options for small and large volume distributors with 30 day NET terms pending credit approval.  Start with a small order or only 10 zone controllers.  Contact ECOJAY (www.smartzoning.com) for details.
    
3. Documentation & training.
   Ecojay is committed to supporting distributors with documentation, signs, marketing materials, phone & online support.  Ecojay will even do an in-person training for contractors at new distributor locations (minimum order required for free training - normal price for training $500)
    
4. Increase zone control profits & sales.
   SmartZone has allowed many of our distributors to increase sales of zoning because it is so much easier for contractors to use & install... they buy more.  Distributors of SmartZone also have increased margins on the higher-end controllers because SmartZone-4X can do everything the Honeywell HZ432 can do at a much lower price.
    
5. Contractors will love you for it.
   Even contractors that "don't do zoning" occasionally come across a system that needs it or a customer that wants it.  SmartZone is the best the the occasional zoning contractor or the contractor that does it every day.  Most contractors that try it, don't want to use anything else.

Right now, only about 25-35% of the US has physical distribution of ECOJAY products, specifically SmartZone.  This is a HUGE missed opportunity.  Online distribution reaches nationwide, but even this is in it's infancy.  SmartZone deserves to be on the shelf of your local distributor and contractors deserve to have access to it.  Right now it is available on Amazon.com, Ebay, ZoningSupply.com for contractors in the US & Canada to have in a couple of days shipping time.

It would be great if some of the large online supply houses like ... Supplyhouse.com or AlpineAir.com would stock SmartZone so it could be purchased and shipped along with systems.  Or some of the national-chain distributors like Johnstone would also carry SmartZone for the sake of availability and exposure to SmartZone style zoning.

SmartZone is not a new gimmic in zoning, it is simply the BEST traditional forced-air zone control board that is available.  SmartZone has been designed with the HVAC contractor in mind and it shows with the feedback that is received over and over again from contractors.  SmartZone has been shipping since 2004 and has had rave reviews from the beginning. 

Contractors that never liked zoning before even love SmartZone.  Many of the problems that people had 10 or 15 years ago with zoning such as freezing coils or short cycling have been solved by more sophisticated zone controls but SmartZone made it simple.  Using Ecojay SmartZone makes zoning simple.

Fact or Myth? #HVAC #Zonecontrol can save energy

First of all, if you are not familiar with HVAC Zoning (Zone control) for your home you can click here and learn more about how it works.

Sometimes, zoning is pitched as a device that can be added to your current HVAC system that will "save you energy" because you are able to turn "off" heating and cooling to areas that are not being used.  Sounds good, right?  Well...there a "but."  This as actually a highly debated or more aptly put... highly contested claim among HVAC professionals.

The simple fact is that it isn't a simple answer but the simplest version is:  HVAC Zoning CAN save energy in some applications.

Not all applications of zoning are intended to save energy, some are set up to optimize comfort.  In these situations, energy savings may not the top priority but it can still be set up to help save energy when the comfort is not in demand.

Zoning puts the control in the hands of the user (homeowner) via the thermostats.  These thermostats can be set to optimize energy savings or comfort... or, most likely, somewhere in between.

Some believe the primary purpose of zoning is comfort & I would agree, but, SmartZone can be used in some applications to save energy by reducing necessary run-time.

As far as I have found there have been very few and NO independent studies on the energy savings capabilities of hvac zone control but I have personally been in the industry for 14 years and I believe I know why.  Every test I have seen is try to prove some % of energy savings and yet there is a flaw with even the question that is being asked.  The problem with this question is that it is looking for an automatic percentage saving when zoning is installed.  I think this gets to the heart of why the professionals that dispute zone control's ability to "save energy" do so. 

This is an IMPORTANT NOTE:  HVAC Zone Control by itself will NOT save energy.  However, it CAN be used to save energy.

A proper study to prove that zone control CAN save energy would be straight-forward.   Two identical houses with identical hvac systems, one with a 2 zone system & the other with a single thermostat.  On the house with zoning, set one thermostat to OFF 12 hours per day and the other thermostat to run a normal 24hr / 7 day schedule.  The thermostat schedule should be the same as the 24hr / 7 day schedule in the house with only one thermostat.  This study would show that zoning can save energy if used in certain ways.

SmartZone has been around since 2004 and we have over 200,000 installed in the field.  We have seen direct feedback that empirically shows energy savings, not just in isolated cases but in extremely high volume.  First hand, real-world experience shows that it can be done, but it also shows that in cases where comfort is the priority... energy savings isn't a guarantee with zone control.

Check out SmartZone at ZoningSupply.com

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See why SmartZone is the best zone controller on the market.

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NEW to ZoningSupply - Insertable (Retrofit) Dampers

We are proud to announce the continuation of our damper product line here at ZoningSupply.com with the "Insert-able" damper.

Some applications call for dampers that can be "slipped" into round duct that is spiral or other hard pipe style duct.  This is not intended for use with flex-duct but can be used with any other type of hard duct.  Simply cut a slit in the duct, insert the damper and screw it down.

PRO-Grade Insert Zone Damper (Retrofit)

from $59.99

Industry-leading quality & highest reliability, Belimo Motor, Full-seal gasket blade, makes mounting in any round duct easy with these super-heavy duty retro-fit slip-in dampers

4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10" ROUND Diameter Dampers

12” & 14” Diameter insert dampers require additional hole to be drilled in duct opposite damper. (grommet included to insert shaft)

Motor: Select Motor YES MotorNO Motor

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2016 USER QUESTIONS - SmartZone Advanced

QUESTION: I have two 9580 thermostats one in the office, the other in the main hangar bay (two zones).  When heating both zones or only the hangar, I need the furnace to go full blower with normal scheduling through stages 1 and 2.  When servicing only the small office area, I don't want the system to advance from stage 1.  Unfortunately, the office is so small and the modulating schedule of the furnace is still too much airflow for the office (the zone bypass when servicing the office is the main hangar modulating damper that is controlled via SPC (excess dumps into hangar)).  This damper will be wide open during call for hangar heat.  The main damper control logic is managed through a 3PDT  24 Vac relay. So, I need to block out stage 2 from only 1 zone (office).  The zone ramping schedule of the 9580 works well with the 100k modulating furnace control board, and would like to keep that capability. 

ANSWER: Configure the zone 1 thermostat connector STAT TYPE to G2 (conventional gas/electric) or H2 (heat pump) to allow the thermostat to control staging and use the hangar thermostat on zone 1. Wire only the stage 1 circuits (Y1 and W1) on the office thermostat to the zone 2 thermostat connector (Also connect R, C and G wires). Set dipswitch 4 to the LOCKOUT position. This will configure the zone controller to allow 2nd stage only when the hangar thermostat calls for 2nd stage regardless of whether the office thermostat is calling. When the office thermostat is calling and the hangar thermostat is not, SmartZone will not allow 2nd stage to operate.

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“I called last week to inquire about using this zone controller in a hangar that had a small office area and a large bay. I advised the call taker that I had Honeywell 9580. I also asked about the capability of the zone controller to handle the smaller office area’s lower CFM requirement and whether or not I could defeat the step-up from W1/Y1 to W2/Y2. I was told that the controller can be set up to defeat the stage step-ups.

After reading the manual, I found that there are no multi-stage inputs on the controller board from thermostats. So, basically, the capabilities of the Honeywell 9580 are wasted. Also, the stage defeat is for the whole system, not zone-specific as I need. It would be pointless to defeat stage increases while heating/cooling a large hangar space”

ANSWER: The SmartZone controller typically controls staging based on the total system conditions which is the most efficient way to operate a multi-zoned multi-staged hvac system. However, the zone1 thermostat connector on SmartZone can be configured to allow the thermostat to control staging (refer to the top of page 10 of the installation manual). When the zone1 thermostat is configured for staging the ability to lockout 2nd stage with only 1 zone calling is disabled. With the thermostat controlling staging your ability to limit staging will be determined by the features of your Honeywell 9580 instead of the SmartZone control.

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“I have a honeywell mastertrol2 mm2, i wanted to update my thermostats but my zone controller has separate b and o wires going to thermostats . Will updating my zone controller to a smart zone 2 help this problem?”

ANSWER: Updating your zone controller to a SmartZone 2 zone controller will allow you to use any 24VAC thermostat. SmartZone controls are designed to be universally compatible with 24VAC thermostats including WI-FI models used to control your thermostat remotely through the internet on your smart phone or tablet. You should be able to connect any 24VAC thermostat to a SmartZone control without any problems.

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“Do you have a digital thermostat that you recommend or sell to go with SmartZone?”

From ecobee.com

ANSWER: ZoningSupply does not carry thermostats, however, SmartZone controllers are compatible with any 24VAC powered 5 or 6 wire thermostat. Popular brands our customers install with SmartZone include Honeywell, ICM, Braeburn, Nest, Ecobee, Aprilaire, Lux, Lyric,  and MANY others. We suggest you avoid using low priced 'power stealing' thermostats as they may cause intermittent issues if your utility power fluctuates. Power stealing thermostats are typically low priced and can be identified by the lack of a C (common) terminal on the thermostat wall mounting plate.
If you are looking for a WiFi thermostat check out this other article:
http://zoningsupply.com/blog/best-wifi-thermostat-for-zoning

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Air balancing information & IOT evaluation from ContractingBusiness

Good articles that can affect HVAC zone control

“If your technicians aren’t checking system airflow on every service call, you’re doing your company and your customers a disservice. Air balancing is the missing link in getting residential HVAC systems to perform at or near their peak levels.”

— ContractingBusiness.com

http://contractingbusiness.com/iaq-amp-ventilation/residential-air-balancing-missing-link

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“It is easy to be confused when it comes to the Internet of Things (IoT), with so many products and objects being connected and made more intelligent. It sounds overly complex, but one application that is easy to understand is HVAC IoT.

HVAC IoT is made up of a system of smart thermostats placed throughout building zones. The devices, and therefore the zones, are connected over wireless and software and work together as one brain. The brain has a nervous system with sensor endings in every room, hallway or lobby to monitor any environmental changes that could prompt the HVAC system to react”

— ContractingBusiness.com

http://contractingbusiness.com/controls/hvac-and-iot-simply

2016: QUESTIONS from ONLINE CUSTOMERS

QUESTION: Will SmartZone replace Honeywell Trol-a-temp?

ANSWER: The SmartZone-4X is a "drop-in" replacement for all of the Honeywell boards.

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QUESTION: I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Are there any qualified installers for the Smart Zone dampers?

ANSWER: Although we have customers in other parts of Canada, we do not have any specific HVAC contractor customers in Toronto. Any reputable HVAC contractor with previous experience installing zoning should be able to install the Ecojay SmartZone controls or dampers. Many do-it-yourself folks have also successfully installed Ecojay's controls/dampers without difficulty. If your contractor is not specifically familiar with SmartZone controls they can reach our technical support line, 844-ZONE-123, for assistance if needed. Feel free to contact us with additional questions.

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QUESTION: I have an old DuroZone system (model SMZ-SW) that has stopped working and am looking for a replacement solution and have been researching the Smartzone option.  I have a few questions and wanted to see if you could help me.

1. I'm not sure what has failed with the DuroZone system, but I wanted to first see if I replaced the controller with the Smartzone controller if it would work.  Will the Smartzone controller work with the DuroZone dampers ?
2. Would you be able to put me in touch with an installer who could do the installation and testing of the smartzone controller ?  I'm not overly handy and would prefer a knowledgeable installer to do the install and tests.

ANSWER:

1. Ecojay's SmartZone products are compatible with your current DuroZone controller.  Your existing thermostats and dampers are normally compatible with SmartZone.as well. Wiring the dampers into SmartZone may be different depending on the model dampers you have. We can provide damper wiring instructions when you or your installer inform us the damper models you have. 
2. The change out of your existing Durozone controller should be simple for any competent hvac contractor even if they haven't used Smartzone before.  Zoning Supply can also be contacted for technical support toll free if you or the installer need technical assistance. 

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QUESTION: I have a Honeywell Chronotherm 111 system with one main panel and three mercury thermostat controllers. I have been informed that my control panel is inoperative and three dampers have failed. I would like to upgrade the system with out
losing the capability/control of the temperature in each room. I am in dire need to correct/improve my system with the Honeywell product.

ANSWER: The Honeywell Chronotherm III thermostat (models T8600, T8601 & T8603) are 24VAC powered according to Honeywell's spec sheet and should be compatible with any Ecojay SmartZone controller.

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QUESTION: My customer has a Carrier/Parker zone system, not sure what version. I want to replace the complete system minus the dampers. Currently there is a main controller, bypass controller and six zones. The bypass could be converted to a dump zone. Wireless is also an option. What do you think?

ANSWER:  From our knowledge of the Carrier-Parker controls, it is VVT control system  and Carrier released two generations of the product line that we know of.  One or both generations used dampers that had DC powered, multi-position actuators. Carrier has also tended to use a more proprietary control flow using a pulsed or multi-position damper actuator which do not have an internal stop switch.  SmartZone outputs 24VAC continuously on either the OPEN damper circuit or CLOSE damper circuit with the actuator using an internal stop switch to switch off power when it reaches stop in either open or close position. This is typical of most conventional residential/light commercial zone control brands and product-lines today. If your customer's current system does not match this specification you will need to change out the damper actuators if installing Ecojay SmartZone or any other major 24VAC brand control product. Ecojay's damper actuators have a torque rating of 18 in-lb/2 Nm and can work with a round or square shaft of 1/4" to 5/8" diameter.
SmartZone is expandable up to 20 zones, capable of 2C/3H stages and is compatible with any conventional 24VAC controlled equipment including heat pump or heat pump with dual fuel. SmartZone is also compatible with all off the shelf 24VAC thermostats. If you are able to supply the specific product model your customer is using I can probably be more specific about the compatibility issues.

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QUESTION: I have a Honeywell Trol-a-temp Model MABS-2 422041-2 with a Mastertrol Add-a-zone model MAZ-1 TAT422027. This is a 4 zone electric system, heat pump with Emergency heat. I have the Master which control s the Emergency heat plus e thermostats. I would like to upgrade the Panel so that I can put a digital thermostat as the master.

ANSWER: SmartZone-4X will work for you.
http://zoningsupply.com/buy/smartzone-4x

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QUESTION: I am looking to use this product with a 2 zone system that has 2 wire dampers. I have to power 4 dampers per zone. Will this produced do so? I am using 8" round dampers and there are 4 per floor.

ANSWER: All Ecojay SmartZone controls are compatible with 2 and 3 wire dampers. They can even be mixed on the same zone. SmartZone can support up to four 2 wire dampers (up to ten 3 wire dampers) on each zone.  Dampers and thermostats are powered from the SmartZone controller. It is important to determine the VA capacity of the transformer needed to power SmartZone as the number of devices powered from the controller increase. In your installation, the transformer used to power the SmartZone controller will need to support the power demand of the zone controller (12VA), 8 dampers (2-wire dampers at 7-10VA each), and 2 thermostats (2VA each). Total potential transformer VA demand from these components collectively total 96VA (12+80+4). However, assuming your 2 wire dampers are power close/spring open, power demand from the dampers will occur only when the dampers are closed. With a 2 zone system, you will never see both zones closed at the same time (all dampers default to open when no zones are calling) so your maximum power demand will be only from 4 dampers. This changes the maximum potential power demand to 62VA (12+40+4). A 75VA - 24VAC transformer will be capable of providing adequate power for your system. This size transformer is readily available on Ebay and many other web stores.  If your 2 wire dampers are power open/spring close (this type is typically used only for fresh air ventilation) then you will need a transformer with a VA capacity of 100VA minimum.  Visit our zoningsupply.com website and review the ZS2X/4X installation guide for more information on installation. Thank you for contacting Zoning Supply with your question. We appreciate your interest in our SmartZone products.

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QUESTION: The 9580 thermostat uses delta T (difference between actual room and called for temps) as part of the staging calculation.  If the staging function of the thermostat is replaced by the zone controller, how does the controller get delta T, or is is not used?  If not, ow does it determine staging...is it rate of temp change sensed by the probe?

ANSWER: SmartZone uses algorithms based on time and supply air temperature (as measured at the supply air plenum) to control staging. Each time the equipment is started SmartZone will require a minimum run time in stage 1 before it will consider staging. This initial run time allows for the equipment to achieve a stable temperature in heat or cool before determining if staging up is necessary. After the initial run time requirement is achieved SmartZone compares supply air temperature to the cut-in temperature settings and will stage up if conditions are met. When the equipment is running stage 2 SmartZone will compare supply air temperature to the cut-out temperature and will return to stage 1 if conditions are met. SmartZone staging algorithms will vary the time and temperature elements based on equipment type (gas/electric or heat pump) and mode of operation (cool or heat). The SmartZone Installation manual included with your product provides detailed information about the sequence of operations for adjusting staging settings including the specific algorithms used for each equipment type and their modes of operation.