Some homes have no dampers at all. A supply duct may travel to the right or left off of your furnace depending on where your home is situated. A damper will generally be inserted in the supply duct that leads to your upper level. Examine all of the runs and see if any have dampers if you have exposed ductwork.
How do I know if I have dampers? You might have dampers if you have a ducted heating and cooling system. To find out for sure, find the main trunk line on your HVAC unit, then look for levers or handles on the ductwork. Contact a local HVAC professional if you can't find any dampers or want to install some.
Most HVAC systems have dampers installed. There are some exceptions to this, but most of the time, you will find them in your system. If you do not have one installed, then it is time to call an HVAC contractor and have one put in. HVAC duct dampers are primarily used to regulate airflow through the HVAC system.
Do you see a knob near the fireplace or a metal rod inside the firebox? If you see one of these, you have a traditional throat damper. If the knob is turned counterclockwise all the way or the rod hangs down low, it means the damper is closed.
HVAC dampers are usually inside your ducts, close to the main air handler. You can find the dampers by looking at the outside of your ducts for a red switch on the exterior. If you can't find the HVAC dampers installed near the air handler, refer to your HVAC system's blueprint to locate them.
They are round discs made of thick fiberglass or dense cardboard (similar to egg crate bedding) They have a handle that can be turned either direction to allow or stop airflow through the damper. Some dampers have a pointed metal pin attached for easy grip when turning.
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $360 to replace a chimney damper. Depending on the damage involved and the damper type, most spend between $160 and $520. The average chimney damper replacement costs $360, with prices varying between $120 and $700 depending on the damper type and the damage involved.
This damper, located at the top of the firebox, swings down to seal the throat shut when you don't use the fireplace. Most dampers are constructed of cast iron or steel and will be black or rust-colored. You can reach inside of the fireplace opening and behind the lintel to touch the damper.
Now, some older homes may have a chimney without a damper and, although it isn't legally required, every fireplace should have a damper.
Putting a damper on things usually means bringing them down — your car troubles might put a damper on your travel plans. A forecast of afternoon thunderstorms will put a damper on your picnic preparations, and being assigned a long research paper on Friday might be a damper on your weekend free time.
A closed damper will shut airflow to a specific zone that doesn't need conditioning. Meanwhile, open dampers allow air to flow freely through their connected ducts. Unlike vents, they're closer to the air source—your air handler or blower motor—for more effective airflow control.
Not every HVAC system has dampers, but most do.
If you do not have dampers, don't worry! A trusted HVAC professional should be able to install them.
Poor insulation can worsen temperature differences between floors. Heat from the sun can penetrate through the roof and walls, making the upstairs warmer. If your attic or walls are not adequately insulated, it can result in significant heat transfer.
Closing your fireplace keeps your space cool.
If you keep your damper open, your air conditioner will have to work much harder to keep your space at a comfortable temperature. This can result in higher energy bills, and warm, humid air from outside can still make its way into your space.
As mentioned, traditional dampers are located in the interior of the chimney's base, so you'll be able to crouch down and peer up inside the chimney to see the position of the damper. The damper is a piece of metal that can be angled by using the knob or chain used to control it to the open or closed position.
In general, homeowners can expect to pay between $150 and $500 for a standard chimney damper replacement. One of the most significant factors that affect the cost of chimney damper replacement is the type of damper.
And while older wood-burning fireplaces can function safely without a damper (gas fireplaces cannot), a chimney without a damper is just a gaping hole in the roof of your house. It's a gateway for frigid air to enter and for heated air to escape in the winter.
The handle on the left-hand side is for your combustion air intake; think of this as a gas pedal in a car but is used for controlling the intensity of your fire. The handle on the right-hand side is for your flue damper; this control is used primarily to slow down the chimney draft.
One of those working parts is a chimney damper. Older homes may have a chimney without a damper, causing the air conditioning to escape in the summer and heated air to disappear in the winter. Although not legally required, every fireplace should have a damper. There are two different types of dampers.
Adjusting Furnace Dampers in the Winter
The typical solution is to do the opposite: close the damper that controls your upstairs ductwork. This way, you'll prevent these rooms from getting too hot since they already receive natural heat from the air that rises from lower levels.
If the damper is stuck in the closed position, using your fireplace would result in a room full of smoke and carbon monoxide, which is extremely dangerous. Your chimney damper should ALWAYS be open when burning a fire, no matter what!
One of the earliest signs the damper needs attention is if it's difficult to open and close. This could indicate rust, corrosion, or warping caused by moisture or heat. These issues can prevent the damper from making a proper seal when closed, allowing heat to escape.
Flip the damper into an open position and inspect the registers once more to see if airflow begins. You probably have a bad damper if, when the damper is closed, you feel limited airflow or none at all.