Airzone Zoning for
Panasonic Ducted
Smart Plus Cooling adds Airzone zoning to Panasonic ducted air conditioning, so each room or area has its own thermostat and temperature. We design and install it for homes and businesses across Dartford, Bexleyheath, Gravesend, Kent, Essex and the South East.
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What Is Airzone?
Airzone is a manufacturer of zoning controls for ducted air conditioning. On its own, a ducted unit treats every room it serves as one space: one temperature, one setting. Airzone splits that into zones, with a thermostat in each room and motorised dampers or grilles that open and close to send air only where it is needed.
Panasonic's own European site says Airzone has developed interfaces to connect to Panasonic commercial Hide Away (ducted) units, alongside Airzone room controls, different outlet types and automatic plenum doors. So the indoor unit, outdoor unit and refrigerant side are Panasonic, and the zoning layer and thermostats are Airzone.
As a Panasonic Pro Partner based in Dartford, we design the duct layout and zones, install the Panasonic system and the Airzone parts together, and commission everything with our own F-Gas certified engineers. If you are still choosing a ducted system, start with our Panasonic ducted air conditioning page, or read our guide to ducted air conditioning in the UK and Airzone.
- A thermostat in each zone, so bedrooms, living areas and offices can sit at different temperatures.
- Zones that are switched off or up to temperature have their air closed off.
- Airzone gateways talk to the indoor unit in both directions, using the manufacturer's own protocol.
- Plug-and-play Easyzone plenums or flexible Flexa systems, chosen to suit the ductwork.
- Airzone Cloud app with schedules, energy graphs and user profiles.
- Panasonic unit, Airzone zoning, ductwork and commissioning from one team.
How Airzone Zoning Works
An Airzone system sits between the Panasonic ducted unit and the rooms it serves. These are the parts that make it work, and what each one does.
Motorised plenum
A plenum box fits on the supply side of the ducted unit and splits the air into separate outlets, one per zone. With Airzone Easyzone, the plenum comes as a factory-wired, plug-and-play unit.
Motorised dampers
Each zone outlet has a motorised damper that opens when that zone calls for heating or cooling and closes when it is satisfied or switched off, so air goes only where it is needed.
Motorised grilles
On some layouts, Airzone motorised grilles control the airflow at the ceiling or wall outlet itself instead of, or as well as, dampers in the ductwork. We choose the approach at the design stage.
Room thermostats
Every zone has its own Airzone thermostat, such as Blueface, Think or Lite. Each reads the room temperature and lets you set that zone's temperature or turn it off.
Communication gateway
Airzone makes gateways for each manufacturer that use the same protocol as the air conditioning unit. That gives two-way communication, so Airzone can tell the Panasonic unit what the zones need and read its status and error codes.
Webserver and app
An Airzone Cloud Webserver connects the system to the internet, so you can control every zone from the Airzone Cloud app or a web browser, and link it to Alexa or Google.
Easyzone vs Flexa
Airzone offers two main ways to zone a ducted unit. Easyzone is a ready-made motorised plenum, while Flexa is a flexible control system built around a main control board. Both use the same family of thermostats and the Airzone Cloud app.
| Airzone Easyzone | Airzone Flexa | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A plug-and-play motorised plenum that fits the ducted unit, with a motorised damper for each zone outlet. | A flexible zoning control system with a main control board, wired to motorised dampers or grilles placed to suit the ductwork. |
| Zones | Airzone lists versions from 2 to 6 zones. | Set by the system design for your building. |
| Size | Standard plenum 300 mm high, Slim plenum 210 mm high. | Depends on the dampers, grilles and ductwork chosen. |
| Wiring | Factory wired, which Airzone says helps avoid wiring errors on site. | Wired on site to the layout we design. |
| Unit connection | Two-way communication with the indoor unit through Airzone's manufacturer gateways. | Two-way communication with the indoor unit through Airzone's manufacturer gateways. |
| Thermostats | Airzone Blueface, Think or Lite. | Airzone Blueface, Think or Lite. |
| Beyond air conditioning | Focused on zoning the ducted unit, with options for air purification and fresh air. | Airzone says Flexa can also control ventilation, underfloor heating and cooling (with a radiant module) and radiators. |
| Best for | Straightforward ducted layouts where a compact, ready-made zoning plenum fits. | Bespoke layouts, larger homes, or projects bringing other heating and ventilation under one control. |
Details from Airzone's product and support information. Airzone updates its ranges, so we confirm the exact Airzone products, zone count and controls for your Panasonic unit at the survey.
Which Panasonic Units It Works With
Airzone compatibility depends on the exact Panasonic model and the Airzone gateway or module for it. This is what Panasonic and Airzone publish, and we always check the specific pairing before quoting.
Panasonic commercial Hide Away units
Panasonic's European site says Airzone has developed interfaces to connect to Panasonic commercial Hide Away units. This is the ducted family that includes the Panasonic PACi NX ducted range.
Panasonic PACi communication
Airzone publishes support pages for its VAF wired and wireless zone modules with Panasonic PACi communication, so the zoning talks to the PACi unit in its own protocol.
Panasonic RAC domestic communication
Airzone also lists a VAF wired zone module with Panasonic RAC (domestic) communication. Whether it suits a domestic ducted unit such as the Panasonic UD3 slim ducted is something we confirm model by model.
Airzone vs Panasonic Multi Zone Duct
Panasonic also makes its own zoned ducted unit, the PACi NX Multi Zone Duct, which builds zoning into the unit rather than adding it afterwards. Here is how the two routes compare.
| Airzone on Panasonic ducted | PACi NX Multi Zone Duct | |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes the zoning | Airzone, added to a Panasonic ducted unit through an Airzone interface or gateway. | Panasonic, built into the indoor unit. |
| How it zones | Airzone motorised dampers or grilles open and close the air to each zone. | Each outlet has its own fan and motor inside the unit. |
| Number of zones | Depends on the Airzone system, for example Easyzone versions from 2 to 6 zones. | Up to five zones from one indoor unit. |
| Extra parts | Airzone plenum or dampers, thermostats, gateway and optional webserver. | No bypass duct and no external zoning controls needed. |
| Room controls | Airzone thermostat in each zone. | Panasonic PCZ-EEB749 wired controller. |
| App | Airzone Cloud app. | Built-in Wi-Fi with the Panasonic Aquarea Home app. |
| Choice of unit | Works with the compatible Panasonic ducted unit chosen for the space. | One dedicated unit, 7.1 kW to 14.0 kW. |
| Best for | Tailored zone layouts, a thermostat in every room, or wider heating and ventilation control. | Up to five zones with fewer extra parts and Panasonic-only controls. |
Multi Zone Duct details from Panasonic's UK and European product information. See our Panasonic Multi Zone Duct page for more, or ask us to compare both for your building.
Thermostats and App
With Airzone, day-to-day control happens through the thermostat in each room and the Airzone Cloud app. We set both up with you at handover.
Airzone Blueface
A wired colour touchscreen thermostat and Airzone's most complete control, giving access to the full range of system settings from the wall.
Airzone Think
A thermostat with an electronic-ink screen and capacitive buttons, for a clean, low-profile look in bedrooms and living spaces.
Airzone Lite
A simple thermostat with buttons and status lights, available wired or wireless, for rooms where you only need to set the temperature or switch the zone on and off.
Airzone Cloud app
Control every zone from your phone, with schedules and scenes for daily routines, energy-consumption graphs and multiple user profiles with different permission levels.
Voice and smart home
Airzone says its systems connect with Amazon Alexa and Google, so you can change zone temperatures by voice. Links to wider home automation are possible on some setups.
Remote support
With the Airzone webserver connected, Airzone's technical support can connect remotely to update the system and help with setup or troubleshooting.
Things To Consider
Airzone is a good fit for many ducted projects, but it is not automatic. These are the points we talk through before recommending it.
Check the exact pairing
Airzone gateways are specific to each manufacturer and range. We confirm the right Airzone interface for the exact Panasonic model before anything is ordered.
Plenum space
A motorised plenum adds length and height on the supply side of the unit. Easyzone comes in Standard and Slim heights, and we measure the void to see what fits.
One mode at a time
All zones on one ducted unit share the same mode, so they are all heating or all cooling at once. Each zone still gets its own temperature or can be switched off.
Duct design still matters
Zoning changes how much air flows to each room as dampers open and close. Duct sizes, grille positions and the return air path are designed with that in mind.
Thermostat positions
Each thermostat needs a sensible spot away from direct sun, heat sources and draughts so it reads the room properly. Wireless options help where cables are hard to run.
Plan it with the build
Like any ducted system, Airzone is easiest to fit before ceilings are boarded. Talk to us at the plans stage of a new build, extension or loft conversion.
Your Project Journey
From the first visit to a working zoned system, here is how an Airzone and Panasonic ducted project runs with us.
Survey
An engineer visits to measure the rooms and ceiling void, check access and outdoor unit positions, and talk through which rooms you want as separate zones.
Zone Design
We size the Panasonic unit, choose Easyzone or Flexa (or the Multi Zone Duct if it suits better), confirm the Airzone gateway, lay out ducts, grilles and thermostats, and send a clear written quote.
Install and Commission
F-Gas certified engineers fit the Panasonic units, ductwork, Airzone plenum or dampers and thermostats, then commission the system and check every zone opens, closes and holds temperature.
Handover and Servicing
We show you the thermostats, set up the Airzone Cloud app and schedules, and register your warranty. Our servicing team looks after the system afterwards.
Airzone Zoning FAQs
What is Airzone zoning?
Does Airzone work with Panasonic ducted air conditioning?
What is the difference between Airzone Easyzone and Flexa?
Should I choose Airzone or the Panasonic Multi Zone Duct?
Can I control Airzone from my phone?
Can each zone heat or cool separately?
Contact Information
Our friendly team is available to answer your questions and provide expert advice on all your heating and air conditioning needs.
Phone
01322 474 990
Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
info@smartplusheating.com
We reply within 24 hours
Office Address
The Bridge Nucleus
Brunel Way
Dartford, DA1 5GA