It’s easy to take the comfort of home heating and cooling for granted. The HVAC systems in your home are designed to work together seamlessly to regulate the temperature inside your home year-round. Many households have invested in HVAC systems; however, most don’t know what components make up the system. HVAC dampers are crucial components of the system. But what exactly is an HVAC damper?
Dampers are devices used to regulate airflow throughout a building or heating system. While they may seem like simple devices, many different types of dampers are available, each designed to address a specific issue.
Dampers regulate airflow in a heating or cooling system by managing the amount of heat or cold that leaves or enters the system. These dampers are common in furnace and air conditioning systems. They regulate airflow so that either room air is allowed to pass through at reduced speed or be inhibited altogether.
Dampers work by controlling the rate at which air passes through the system. They do this using pressure or temperature differences in the room so that air is pushed through with more force or slowed down by restricting it enough to make it denser. As a result, it can be challenging to determine the best kind of damper for each application.
Dampers are used in many applications beyond just heat and air conditioning systems. As they are simple and effective, they can also be used on systems ventilating warehouses and other industrial facilities. They have also been applied to residential applications where the air is circulated using fans, such as in attic ventilation. Their use has even extended beyond just buildings, as there are now dampers that work on large-scale agricultural facilities, such as for irrigation.
Types of HVAC Dampers
Most dampers are activated by either damping springs or pneumatic compressors. They work similarly by controlling airflow within a system to maintain a desired set temperature. They can be divided into two general categories, depending on how they are activated; manually controlled and automatically controlled. A person activates manual damped systems. In contrast, automatic systems require energy from both the push of a button and a signal from an automated device such as a carbon monoxide detector. Automatic systems can be controlled by timers and thermostats that contain the sensors to activate a compressor.
All dampers work to reduce air speed within the system, but different dampers are designed to do this using either pressure or temperature differences. Pressure differences have been used as a means of regulating airflow. In contrast, temperature differences have been used to regulate airflow, especially in large systems that affect the surrounding environment, as heating and cooling systems do.
Inlet Vane Damper
An inlet vane damper is a type of damper that works by restricting airflow through a duct or fan. Because of this, they are commonly used to regulate ventilation, but their temperature regulation is rarely used. While it is possible to use a separate thermostat to control the temperature in a duct as well, an inlet vane damper offers easy control of the speed at which air can be delivered. These dampers are mounted in the duct opening and restrict airflow by either closing off the hole entirely to regulate pressure or slowing down the speed of the air passing through it.
Louver Damper
A louver damper is a type of damper that works by restricting airflow through a duct or fan coil. This type of damper is controlled using a manual lever, which can be used to control the temperature in the room.
The simplest way to control airflow is by regulating pressure. Depending on the amount of pressure applied, it may not have any contact with an opening and will instead work to slow down or stop the airflow.
Guillotine Damper
A guillotine damper is a type of damper that is controlled through weight. As the opening of the duct or hole expands, the weight will either increase or decrease. This will cause the air to be slowed down or stopped, affecting airflow in a room.
Blade Damper
A blade damper works much the same way as a guillotine damper, except it uses a pair of blades to control airflow. As the blades expand and close an opening, airflow will be slowed or stopped entirely.
Butterfly Flat Dish Damper
A butterfly flat dish damper works by restricting air flow through an opening. When the damper is opened, the air can enter the room. The damper blade has a pair of wings extending into the room, allowing air to pass through both sides at once. When the damper is closed off, air will be stopped entirely from entering the room. This is useful for many buildings and industrial facilities where it is necessary to circulate air from one area to another.
Benefits of HVAC Dampers
Dampers are commonly used in HVAC systems to create smooth airflow in a room. There are several reasons why it is advantageous to use dampers rather than simply increasing the pressure or temperature of the delivered air.
To begin, by regulating airflow through the system, dampers can help keep an HVAC unit running at a constant speed. As this speeds up or slows down the airflow through a room, it can significantly impact how well an HVAC furnace or air conditioning unit works.
Dampers are used in a zoning system where it is necessary to regulate temperatures in each room separately. This is especially useful in older buildings that cannot be zoned with newer systems but where dampers are still capable of being used.
Another advantage to using damper systems is that they can help to improve indoor air quality. Because dampers can help control airflow while reducing noise and dust buildup, the result is often a cooler and more comfortable environment for building occupants. It is also possible for them to reduce the risk of fires and other safety issues.
Dampers help save on energy bills by regulating airflow. They can also help reduce energy costs by improving the performance of HVAC systems. At the same time, they can also make an HVAC unit more efficient. This helps to prevent overheating in the summer and overcooling in the winter, which means savings in energy costs throughout the year.
Finally, in some cases, it may help to prevent damage to the system or other parts of your HVAC unit. By adding a damper to your system, you can control how much power your furnace or air conditioner uses so that it doesn’t run at maximum capacity. This can help reduce wear and tear on the system and prevent overheating or overuse of electricity. At Southland Heating & Air Conditioning, we install and maintain air conditioning and heating systems. We are located in Newbury Park, CA.
In conclusion, HVAC dampers can help save money and improve your HVAC system’s overall function. Because they help regulate airflow through a room, they are often used in air conditioning systems. For this reason, you need to ensure that you are purchasing the best type of HVAC dampers for your needs. We offer air conditioning, heating, and air quality services. Contact Southland Heating & Air Conditioning today for more information.
