You shouldn’t believe everything you hear about heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) dampers. Dampers are a common part of many residential HVAC systems. Because they are concealed within the ductwork, though, most homeowners rarely see them. Here are six common myths about HVAC dampers.
#1) Included in All Centralized HVAC Systems
While all centralized HVAC systems have ductwork, not all of them have dampers. Dampers are typically found in zoned HVAC systems. With a zoned HVAC system, you can control the temperature of different parts of your home, such as the ground floor and the second level. Each controllable part is a zone. Zoning is achieved with dampers that block and reroute conditioned air to where it’s needed.
#2) Located Near Supply Vents
Some homeowners assume that HVAC dampers are located near supply vents. In most HVAC systems, they are found closer toward the evaporator coil and blower within the ductwork. By installing HVAC dampers farther away from the supply vents, they are able to block more air.
#3) Require Manual Operation
There are both manually operated HVAC dampers and automatic HVAC dampers. Manually operated HVAC dampers typically feature a lever. You can pull this lever to open or close them. To prevent air from entering a ductwork conduit, for instance, you can close the HVAC damper. Automatic HVAC dampers, conversely, open and close automatically in response to the thermostat settings.
#4) Not Worth the Cost
HVAC dampers aren’t free, but they are oftentimes a smart investment. They will make your HVAC system more energy efficient. HVAC dampers will separate your home into zones. If a floor or zone is unoccupied, you don’t need to cool or warm it. Therefore, you’ll save money on cooling and heating expenses.
#5) All HVAC Dampers Are the Same
There are many different types of HVAC dampers. They are all designed to control the passage of air. Nonetheless, some HVAC dampers feature a different design than others. Common types of HVAC dampers include butterfly, modulating, collar and blade. Each type features a unique design that sets it apart from the rest.
#6) Best to Leave Open
You shouldn’t necessarily leave HVAC dampers open. If they are open, conditioned air will pass through them and into the connected rooms. Other parts of your home will then receive less conditioned air, which could result in higher cooling and heating expenses. To take advantage of their energy-savings properties, you should typically close the dampers connected to unoccupied rooms.
