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Questions


  1. What is the advantage of installing an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system in a home as it is being built versus in an existing home?
  2. What is the maintenance required with an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system?
  3. What is the most popular “size” zone control system?
  4. Why does the heating and cooling system fan continue to run after the thermostat stops calling?
  5. What are the primary benefits of an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system?
  6. What is an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system and what are the components?
  7. Will the Model 6504 Control Panel work with zone dampers that are normally-closed powered-open, as well as normally-open powered-closed?
  8. Can Aprilaire zoned comfort control panels work with three wire zone dampers that are powered-open and powered-closed?
  9. How do I know which zone is calling for conditioning through the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel?

Answers


  1. What is the advantage of installing an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system in a home as it is being built versus in an existing home?
    An Aprilaire zoned comfort control system can be installed in a home under construction as well as in an existing home. In a home under construction your HVAC installer can design the zoning system when they are designing the HVAC system. Your HVAC installer is able to run wiring through open framework and between floors, therefore resulting in savings in installation costs. In addition, required ductwork sizing and system balancing are also easier and less expensive to accomplish while the home is under construction. In an existing home your HVAC installer will have to find a way to run wire to the thermostat locations and the HVAC duct work may require modification. Your HVAC installer can best explain what will be required for adding an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system in your existing home. ^back to top

  2. What is the maintenance required with an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system?
    The Aprilaire zoned comfort control system does not require maintenance under normal operation as it is simply a control to operate the HVAC system. Changes in living habits or remodeling of the home will typically require adjustments to the system by the HVAC installer. ^back to top

  3. What is the most popular “size” zone control system?
    Since every home is different, the number of zones in a home is typically determined by the floor plan and design of the home. Most homes are divided into 2 or 3 zones. Homes with more than one level may set up each level as a zone. Heating and cooling patterns vary from room to room throughout the day. This will determine which rooms should be combined based on maintaining the same temperature throughout the zone. Lifestyles which relates to when a room or rooms are occupied can determine which rooms should be combined into a zone. Rooms only used for entertaining may be on a separate zone from rooms used on a regular basis. ^back to top

  4. Why does the heating and cooling system fan continue to run after the thermostat stops calling?
    If the zone thermostat is set to operate the heating and cooling system fan constantly, the system fan will continue to run at the end of a heating or cooling call. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control system also has the ability to expel any remaining conditioned air into the living space at the end of the call by operating the heating and cooling system fan. This process is referred to as fan purge and typically last 1–2 minutes. Often times the heating and cooling system has a fan purge option as well. If using the system fan purge the Aprilaire zoned comfort control system fan purge may be turned off. Your HVAC installer will know how to do this. ^back to top

  5. What are the primary benefits of an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system?
    The Aprilaire zoned comfort control system provides comfort, convenience and energy savings. It does this by only distributing conditioned air to the area(s) of the home requiring it. This allows the area(s) requiring conditioned air to reach their desired temperature faster resulting in less operating time for the heating and cooling system. This provides energy savings since the Aprilaire zoned comfort control system reduced the energy requirements to the seldom used areas (non-calling zones) of the home. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control system ensures that only the necessary amount of energy is used throughout the home. ^back to top

  6. What is an Aprilaire zoned comfort control system and what are the components?
    The Aprilaire zoned comfort control system consists of a control panel, thermostats and dampers installed in conjunction with your existing heating and cooling forced air system. Thermostats connected to the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel call for conditioned air whenever the temperature in the zone(s) is not at the desired set point. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel sends the call on to the heating and cooling equipment. Zone dampers, located in the forced air heating and cooling system, for zones which are not calling for conditioned air, are powered closed by the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel. The heating and cooling system then distributes the conditioned air through the duct work to the calling zones. ^back to top

  7. Will the Model 6504 Control Panel work with zone dampers that are normally-closed powered-open, as well as normally-open powered-closed?

    All Aprilaire zoned comfort control panels will work with normally-open, powered-closed zone dampers as well as normally-closed, powered-open zone dampers. All Aprilaire zone dampers are normally-open, powered-closed dampers. This means with no power going to the zone damper it will always be open. When a zone calls for conditioning, the Aprilaire zone dampers in the zones not calling will be sent a continuous 24 volt power supply from the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel to be powered closed. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel will continuously power the normally-open, powered-closed zone damper until the conditioned air call in the calling zone is complete. Once the call is complete, the continuous 24 volt power supply is stopped by the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel and the Aprilaire zone dampers in the non-calling zones return to their normally-open position.

    The NC and C terminals on the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel send out 24 volts continuously while the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel is not making any calls for conditioned air. If a normally-closed, powered-open damper is used and connected to the NC and C terminals, our Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel will send a continuous 24 volt power supply to the zone damper to keep it open. The zone damper must be capable of receiving continuous 24 volt power. The manufacturer of the normally-closed, power-open damper you selected should be able to determine whether or not their dampers can function reliably with continuous 24 volt power.

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  8. Can Aprilaire zoned comfort control panels work with three wire zone dampers that are powered-open and powered-closed?

    All Aprilaire zoned comfort control panels will work with normally-open, powered-closed zone dampers as well as normally-closed, powered-open zone dampers and with dampers which are powered-open and powered-closed. All Aprilaire zone dampers are normally-open, powered-closed dampers. This means with no power going to the zone damper it will always be open. When a zone calls for conditioning, the Aprilaire zone dampers in the zones not calling will be sent a continuous 24 volt power supply from the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel to be powered closed. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel will continuously power the normally-open, powered-closed zone damper until the conditioned air call in the calling zone is complete. Once the call is complete, the continuous 24 volt power supply is stopped by the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel and the Aprilaire zone dampers in the non-calling zones return to their normally-open position.

    The NC and C terminals on the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel send out 24 volts continuously while the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel is not making any calls for conditioned air. If a normally-closed, powered-open damper is used and connected to the NC and C terminals, our Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel will send a continuous 24 volt power supply to the zone damper to keep it open. The zone damper must be capable of receiving continuous 24 volt power. The manufacturer of the normally-closed, power-open damper you selected should be able to determine whether or not their dampers can function reliably with continuous 24 volt power.

    When a powered-open, powered-closed damper is used the power- to- open terminal on the damper wires to the NC terminal on the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel, the power- to- close terminal on the damper wires to the NO terminal on the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel and the Common terminal on the damper wires to C terminal on the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel. Since the NC and C terminals on the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel send out 24 volts continuously while the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel is not making any calls for conditioned air, our Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel will send a continuous 24 volt power supply to the zone damper to keep it open. When a zone calls for conditioned air, 24 volts is sent out the NO and C terminals to power closed the zoned dampers in the zones not requiring conditioned air. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel will continue to send 24 volt power out the NC and C terminals to the zone damper in the zone calling for conditioned air to keep it open. Once the call is complete 24 volt power is removed from NO and C terminals in the non-calling zones and instead 24 volt powers is sent out the NC and C terminals to power the dampers back open. The zone damper must be capable of receiving continuous 24 volt power. The manufacturer of the normally-closed, power-open damper you selected should be able to determine whether or not their dampers can function reliably with continuous 24 volt power.

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  9. How do I know which zone is calling for conditioning through the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel?
    All Aprilaire zoned comfort control panels include lights which are illuminated when the NO and C damper terminals for that zone are powered. Since Aprilaire dampers are normally-open, powered-closed, Aprilaire dampers are wired to the NO and C terminals. The Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel is designed to illuminate a damper light when the Aprilaire zoned comfort control panel powers the damper closed. This occurs whenever there is no call for conditioned air in a specific zone. A zone with the damper light not illuminated indicates the zone is calling for conditioned air. ^back to top