If dampeners are like tiny little doors that close off the airflow, inlet vanes dampers are like small vents that open up and allow air to flow. They don't dampen or direct your airflow but they do help control the pressure of the air moving throughout your entire HVAC system.
Instead, a damper is located closer to your central HVAC unit, so unlike a vent, which only controls the flow of air in one room, closing a damper forces your system to redirect air somewhere else in your house. If you live in an older home, dampers may or may not already be a part of your HVAC system.
Primary Functions of a damper
Pressure Regulation: Dampers help regulate the pressure within a duct or pipeline by adjusting the cross-sectional area through which the fluid passes. This can therefore be crucial in maintaining a stable and controlled pressure in various industrial processes.
A Damper is a valve that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct .
By not creating an airtight seal, these dampers minimize the strain on the system. In summer, you can close the dampers downstairs so cooler air reaches upstairs rooms. But in winter, closing upstairs vents halfway allows heat to rise.
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.
Closing the vents doesn't do it any favors. In fact, instead of helping the air conditioner cool less, closed registers force the same amount of air through other ducts. This builds pressure in the system and makes your HVAC system work harder to distribute the air where you need it.
When you close vents in unused rooms, your central air conditioning and heating system will push the excess air to other places in your home and build pressure within your ducts. In fact, closing vents may even waste more energy than operating your system as usual.
Butterfly flat dish dampers: As the name suggests, the hinges for these dampers look like little butterflies that sit on top of ducts. The dampers within consist of a round blade and a seal around the circumference that meets the blade's edges, making them best for round ducts.
The damper and flue are two different parts, but they are related and involved in the same function. The flue is the inside tunnel of your chimney that brings gases from your fireplace out of your home, while the damper closes or opens the access to the flue.
After the fire burns out, the damper prevents the heated indoor air from escaping through the chimney. Without an operational chimney damper, the cold outside air will keep your home drafty and allow most of the heat generated in the fireplace to escape up the chimney increasing energy costs.
The quality of the equipment, how frequently you run your HVAC unit, and if you follow regular maintenance schedules can all affect the lifespan of your HVAC components. Dampers can last around 20 years with proper maintenance.
A motorized damper regulates the flow of air inside your HVAC system, which in turn controls the temperature in your home. If your damper isn't working, you'll need to replace the part. Expect to pay an average of $350 to replace a motorized HVAC damper, with a typical range of $250 to $450.
The damper works by opening or closing to varying degrees in order to control the flow of air through different rooms or zones within the structure. This helps to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the space and conserve energy at the same time.
A closed throat damper will cause smoke to fill your house immediately when you start a fire. If you have a chimney with a closed top-mount damper It might take a few minutes for smoke to start filling the house, but you will eventually notice that there isn't enough airflow.
Where Are Dampers Typically Located In Your Home? Usually, the dampers are somewhere between your heating and cooling system's supply duct and the trunk line. The main trunk line comes out of the furnace to provide air for the entire home. Of course, each home is different.
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. They will consider the size of your ducts, the type of dampers required, how to zone your rooms properly, and more.
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.
In most houses, dampers on the upper level are opened in the summer and shut in the winter. In the winter, closing the dampers on your HVAC system to the upstairs allows for heat to rise naturally as it is distributed throughout the home.
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.
To save some money you may wonder if it's okay to close air vents in unused rooms in order to direct air to other areas. Unfortunately, this may not be a good idea. Closing air vents can actually cause your HVAC system to run inefficiently, costing you more in the long run.
Butterfly Flat Dish Dampers (BFD) – HVAC Dampers
The butterfly flat dish damper is shaped like a circle with two semicircles attached to it. The semicircles are called flaps, and they open and close to direct airflow through a system.
Closing air supply vents increases the air pressure inside the air ducts, which backs up into the ductwork of the home and can cause leaks.
When doors inside are closed, pressure differentials are created. This causes your AC to work harder to ensure a steady airflow. Also, keeping the doors open can minimize the strain on your HVAC system. This translates to better energy efficiency and substantial savings.
When air can not move effectively, a pressure buildup can get created inside your air ducts and also your HVAC device. This will inevitably produce less airflow as well as cause your heat exchanger to split which will certainly enable carbon monoxide gas to leak into your residence. You might create mold and mildew.