The Zone Control Blog

Retrofit Zoning Made Simple

Sometimes zoning applications require multiple dampers in branch runs instead of a couple of dampers mounted in the main trunk line.  Jackson Systems’ Retro Damper is designed for retrofit zone control applications where dampers are required in branch runs.  Retro Dampers save installation time and are easy to install.  Our Retro Dampers are fabricated with heavy gauge steel and come in sizes ranging from 5” through 10”.  These dampers are powered by a three wire actuator (powered open / powered closed) with a 34 lb-in torque rating.  The actuators are 24VAC with only 3.84VA and 6 second open/close timing.  These great features are all wrapped in a 5 year warranty.  Each Retro Damper is supplied with a self-adhesive template that is applied to the round section of duct where the damper is to be installed thus making installation quick and easy.  The calibrated adjustment screws located on each side of the damper shaft assembly provides minimum open or close adjustments.  This low cost retrofit zone control damper makes it easy for any contractor to quickly add zone control to an existing home.  Just cut a slot and slide it in.

 

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Zone One Stand Alone Zone Damper

Zone One™ is a control damper that is designed to solve over-heating and over-cooling problems.  Zone One™ consists of a thermostat and a factory wired damper or diffuser that contains an actuator, control module, and duct sensor.  The duct sensor senses whether there is warm air (above 72F) or cool air (below 72F) in the branch supply duct.  If the Zone One™ thermostat is calling for cooling and the duct sensor senses cool air in the duct the damper will open.  Otherwise the damper will remain closed.  If the Zone One™ thermostat is calling for heating and the duct sensor senses warm air in the duct the damper will open.  Otherwise the damper will remain closed.  One thing to keep in mind in using a Zone One™ is to not install a Zone One™ thermostat and damper assembly in the area where the equipment space thermostat is located.  The Zone One™ is an inexpensive yet powerful solution to overheating or overcooling problems in commercial buildings.

Barometric Bypass Damper

A question that comes up frequently when quoting zone control systems is, why and when do I need a bypass damper?  As the individual zone dampers close, the system static pressure will tend to rise.  In order to maintain constant airflow through the HVAC system, a barometric damper can be used to bypass some of the discharge air back to the system.  The bypass damper should be installed in such a way as to connect the supply air duct to the return duct.  Damper adjustment is done by moving the weight up and down the arm.  If only two zones are required, size each zone to handle about 75% of the total CFM.  This method does not require a bypass damper.  If one zone requires substantially more CFM than the other, it is recommended that the larger zone damper be set to bleed about 20% of its air.  If more than two zones are required, install a bypass damper.  It should be set to bypass just enough air to maintain a quiet, draft free system.  Barometric bypass dampers can be used on systems with static pressure ratings up to 0.75”W.C.  Bypass dampers are sized based on the cooling tonnage.

Condensing Unit Damper Size
2.5 tons or less 8” bypass
3 tons 10” bypass
4 tons 12” bypass
5 tons 12” bypass
7.5 tons 14” bypass
10 tons 14” bypass

For systems larger than 10 tons, subtract the CFM of the smallest zone from the total system CFM, then size the bypass damper to handle 100% of this difference at 2,500FPM.

111 tips to help your business become more profitable

One of our great industry friends, John Hall, has published a new book about the HVAC industry.  As many of you know John is the Business Editor for The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News (www.achrnews.com). His new book is titled Profit Tips 1.1.1. and includes 111 tips to help your business become more profitable. Each tip is endorsed and ‘embellished’ by 111 real-life contractors who have added their names because they believe in them and John thinks you will too.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

TIP #21

     Cheaters never prosper – unless they use cheat sheets. Or should I rephrase that and say – because they use cheat sheets. We all know about cheat sheets. Kids use them in classrooms when taking tests by writing answers down on scraps of paper and hiding them in their shirtsleeve. Or better yet, kids write answers on their wrists or ankles – very clever.
     But not all cheat sheets have to emulate cheating. Some of these little scraps of paper can be called reminder sheets. You have seen them – the yellow sticky notes all over the place with various notes. One of the funniest was from the movie Romancing the Stone where actress Kathleen Turner couldn’t find a tissue to blow her nose so she used the sticky note which said “Buy tissues” to empty her nostrils.
     You may want to put some reminder sheets around your business or in your employee’s weekly paycheck envelope. The message can be inspirational or instructional. Call it a cheat sheet if you’d like – you might be cheating your competition out of a good idea.

     Do we use cheat sheets in our business? That term brings up memories of sitting near the back in Spanish class and observing many students surreptitiously referring to small lists of vocabulary. It is an unpleasant memory because so many were harming themselves, and because they were raising the grading curve. (I assume most of them went into public service, and that is the reason public policy is so bad.) I earned my low Spanish grade honestly, and am proud of it.
     We do use checklists – another form of cheat sheets. We have computer printed checklists for materials and procedures for attic heat pump installations, closet heat pump installations, preventative maintenance, and product features.
     My workers inform me when a truck-stocked item is low, that I write it in a pocket notebook – yet another type of cheat sheet. The result is dramatically reduced incidence of being on the job without a necessary part.
     Our productivity is extremely high, so there is money left for big (inspirational) bonuses on most jobs.

David Green
Green Electric
New Braunfels, Texas

If you enjoyed his last book, the NEXT Contractor, you’ll enjoy Profit Tips 1.1.1. even more. The price is $14.95 plus $3.75 S&H. John is taking orders right now at his website (www.ideaperson.net) -- click on ‘Profit Tips 1.1.1.’ You can order using PayPal and be assured of getting the copies fresh off the press. If you choose to order via check, the address is at the website, too. Order TODAY!

Learn more about Jackson Systems at www.jacksonsystems.com

Retro Damper

A low cost retrofit zone damper makes it easy for you to quickly add zone control to an existing home.  No more having to remove a section of duct to install a round zone damper.  A Retro Damper allows you to cut a slot in the duct and slide it in.  The Retro Damper uses 18 gauge thermostat wire and will work with almost any zone control panel.  The Retro Damper is a powered open powered closed damper and come in the following sizes: 5”, 6” 7” 8”, 9”, and 10”.

Catch our new webinar series on zone control

We are excited to announce our launch of a webinar series on zone control. This valuable web-based workshop will help you learn about zoning, information on a couple specific products and will help you learn how to grow your business by selling zone control.

The Z-200, The Green Zone, webinar will take place Wednesday, May 14th, 2 p.m. eastern time. Learn how this new 2-zone zone control panel and system will help you save money and energy!

The Z-2000 for light commercial and residential use will take place Tuesday, May 20th at 2 p.m. eastern time.

Just contact us to reserve your spot on the Webinar!

Spring is in the Air – So are Sales Opportunities

Spring is in the air for the majority of the country.  This time signifies the return of birds, flowers, and green grass.  For HVAC Contractors, it should also mean the return of spring tune up appointments with their service agreement clients.  Like a breath of fresh air, I believe Spring can bring a crop of sales opportunities as well. 

The top producing contractors are utilizing this rite of Spring, the tune up appointment, as a time to bring more value and comfort to their clients.  This appointment is a perfect time to introduce value added products to their clients.  Many homeowners / building owners are holding off on major projects such as unit replacements these days.  However, everyone still wants to be comfortable in their environment and feel confident that their indoor air is safe.  I believe this is an opportunity to present zoning to the client. Spring can bring calls for heat in basements and lower levels while demanding cooling for the upper levels.  Zoning can provide a comfortable solution to this dilemma while saving energy for the owner as well.  This is accomplished with a quality zoning system and programmable thermostats.  Both are great sales opportunities for the contractor. 

Indoor air quality is also a concern of many owners these days.  Contractors can offer many solutions in this arena as well.  Air Cleaners, dehumidifiers, uv lights, and quality filters are all options for the owner to consider.  Studies show that people are willing to spend money to help provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment for their family and business.  Quality contractors are differentiating themselves from their competition by providing just that for their satisfied clients. 

The top producing contractors are not only scheduling their tune up appointments, but are also updating their presentation books.  Remind your sales staff and technicians to offer zoning and indoor air quality products this Spring.  I feel you will be happy with the response. Your clients will be grateful for it and your business will have a new “spring” in its step.

Setting a Barometric Bypass Damper

General Instructions for Residential and Light Commercial Barometric Bypass Dampers

HOW THE BYPASS DAMPER WORKS

As the individual zone dampers close, the system static pressure will tend to rise.  In order to maintain constant airflow through the HVAC system, a barometric bypass damper will be required to bypass some of the discharge air back into the return.  These bypass dampers can be used on systems with static pressure ratings up to 0.75” W.C.

INSTALLING THE BYPASS DAMPER

The bypass damper should be installed in such a way as to connect the supply air duct to the return air duct.  The damper should be installed in the horizontal position.  Tap into the return air duct at least two feet back from the return air plenum if possible.

ADJUSTING THE BYPASS DAMPER

With the HVAC unit running, adjust the weight located on the rod so that the bypass damper is fully closed when all zone dampers are in the full open position.  To increase the system static pressure move the weight outward toward the end of the rod.  To decrease the system pressure move the weight inward toward the damper shaft.  To insure that all zone dampers are in the open position while adjusting the bypass damper, disconnect one of the two wires to each of the spring return open damper motors.  Additional weights can be added to bypass damper arm if necessary.

When attaching the weight and arm to a horizontal barometric bypass damper, adjust the damper arm to the 4 o’clock position when air flow is moving left to right.  Adjust the damper arm to the 8 o’clock position when air flow is moving right to left.

Make a call for heating, cooling, of fan in every zone.  Verify that all zone dampers are in the open position. Verify that the barometric bypass damper is in the closed position.  Slowly move the weight upwards on the arm until the damper starts to open slightly.  Then move the weight back down the arm until the damper stays closed. Close one zone and the barometric damper should open.

          

   

Z-200 The Green Zone: Part 2

This video features the second part of the progression of design and development of The Green Zone.  This product expands Jackson Systems' product line as well as allows the end user to be environmentally friendly.  To view Z-200 The Green Zone: Part 1 check out Jackson Systems TV from our website.  You can also view all of our videos on YouTube. 

The difference between 2 wire and 3 wire two-position zone dampers

Zone dampers are used with a zone control system to direct the flow of air in the HVAC central system duct work.  A two-wire zone damper is designed to power the damper blade closed and spring return it open. When a zone thermostat calls for heating or cooling, its zone damper spring returns open to provide heated or cooled air to the zone.  When the zone thermostat is satisfied, the damper is powered closed preventing conditioned air from entering the zone. 

A two-wire zone damper incorporates a 24 volt motorized actuator that powers the damper blade closed. The motor is impedance protected which allows it to stall at the end of the damper travel without having to have an end switch to disrupt the power. When power is removed, the spring return mechanism drives the damper blade to the open position.

A three-wire zone damper requires a motorized actuator that powers the damper blade in both directions. Three-wire zone damper actuators typically have heavier torque ratings which allow them to be used on larger size dampers.