When I workout at home, I typically lower the thermostat a bit.
I like to exercise in a cool environment. During the summer, this costs a bit more in electric. My preferences for my workout increase the workload of the air conditioner. In the winter, I actually save a bit of money because I reduce demands on the furnace. My family was not happy with my daily adjustment of the thermostat. The kids complained over the house being too chilly. My husband was concerned with the higher energy bills during the summer. I did some research and came across zoned control for the HVAC system. I hadn’t realized this was even possible. I expected the upgrade to be super expensive and invasive. I decided to contact a local HVAC contractor for a quote. I was pleasantly surprised by the price. It’s not all that difficult to outfit a fairly modern heating and cooling system with zoned capabilities. The HVAC technician simply needed to install a series of valves into the ductwork. The valves are linked to independent thermostats in each room which determine airflow. We’re now able to customize the temperature in each room without impacting the whole house. There are lots of benefits, which have helped to recover the initial investment. We no longer maintain a bunch of empty spaces to the perfect temperature. At night, we concentrate heating or cooling to the bedrooms. During the day, we target the living room, dining room and kitchen. Family members are able to personalize temperature settings to their preferences. I keep my workout area quite a bit cooler than the rest of the house without bothering anyone.