Heat pump mini-splits may be a solution. Zoned forced air is another option. It will cost you more to do zoning.

Central heating is not a commonly used term. Are you talking forced air? Then zoning is your answer.

The thing about heating (and a/c) is that you don't really save all that much by zoning. Mostly zoning is a comfort thing like I use it to freeze our bedroom at night but our infant sleeps 10 degrees higher. It is also good for heating the living room more than say the bedrooms in general - but more for comfort than cost savings.

Now - old house in cold area - yeah you are saving some. But in SoCal - you are not talking money. You generally are spending $3-$5000 for zoning to save less than $100 a year. Probably less than $50 a year. So don't do it hoping you are going to save money.

I remember living on a boat and I think I had a little fan powered 800 watt electric heater. I mean what is the usual winter low - 50?. I would think most houses would only need heat 20 nights a year and that was because of a cloudy/smoggy day....

Thank you for your input, David and Ionized! I do believe you are right, David, about the extra cost not being worth the meager savings. But I had to ask, right?