Dual zone with Homely: A homeowner's guide
Homely’s always learning new ways to make your heating smarter. Our latest feature, dual zone heating, gives you more flexibility over how your home feels — ideal if your space or setup calls for a little extra control.
But before you jump in, it’s worth knowing that while dual zone heating can boost comfort, it isn’t always the most efficient option. For most homes, a single, steady zone still offers the best balance of savings and simplicity.
What's a dual zone heating system?
Dual-zone heating divides your home into two areas that can be heated and controlled independently. Each zone has its own Homely control, so you can set different temperatures and schedules depending on how you use each space.
Maybe you want your living areas cosy during the day and bedrooms cooler until bedtime. Or perhaps your home mixes heating types — underfloor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs, for example. Dual-zone control helps Homely manage these systems separately, so each performs as efficiently as possible.
It’s a smart feature for homes where comfort needs vary — though it’s not always necessary for everyone.
Tips for getting the best from dual zone
If you’re using dual zone heating, here are a few simple ways to keep comfort high and energy use sensible:
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Match heating to your routine: Keep living areas warm when you’re home, and let bedrooms warm up later in the day.
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Avoid big temperature gaps: Large differences between zones can make your heat pump work harder than it needs to. Homely will balance each zone as best it can, but because warm and cool air naturally move around your home, extreme temperature splits are tricky to maintain — and not always efficient.
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Stay steady: Gradual temperature changes are better for efficiency than frequent on/off cycles.
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Let Homely learn: Over time, Homely will refine how each zone runs to suit your household’s rhythm.
What about energy costs?
Dual zone control is great for tailoring comfort, but it doesn’t always mean lower energy bills. Because zones may heat at different times or to different temperatures, the system can sometimes run longer overall.
For most homes, the best efficiency still comes from a single, steady zone, running at lower temperatures while Homely handles the fine-tuning automatically.
Is dual zone right for your home?
If you’re looking for the simplest, most efficient setup, a single zone is usually the way to go. But if your home has very different heating needs in separate areas, or you want more flexibility in how you heat your space, dual zone might be worth exploring.
Your installer can help you decide what’s best for your home and lifestyle. And whichever setup you choose, Homely will make sure your system runs smoothly, efficiently, and in tune with your day.
Want to know more?
Check out our dual zone FAQs: https://help.homelyenergy.com/knowledge/dual-zone-before-you-buy
