QA

Question: How To Install Dampers

Is it easy to install dampers?

A damper can control the flow of air in your ducts, changing the output to different levels of your home or different rooms as needed. However, it is not too difficult to install an inline damper, and below are some step-by-step instructions you can follow to add one yourself.

Where should dampers be located?

Dampers are almost always within 2-6 feet of the main trunk. You may only have different style handles, the dampers might be located right off the main trunk or a few feet away, or they might even be rectangular, but you should see something like the image above, cobwebs and all.

Can you add a damper to HVAC?

Energy-efficiency. If you think about cutting costs, a smart thermostat is probably the first thing that springs to mind. Installing air duct dampers can help you enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system, giving you maximum bang for your buck.

Can you install a damper?

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces need a damper to control the amount of heat that escapes via the stovepipe or chimney. You can install a stovepipe damper sized to match the diameter of your stovepipe in just a few minutes with some basic hand-operated tools.

How much does it cost to add dampers to ductwork?

While the parts for an HVAC damper replacement can run under $200 total, a professional replacement can cost around $500. Your own cost will depend on the local companies, your particular ductwork setup (including accessibility), and whether it’s part of a larger maintenance job.

Do all houses have dampers?

Typically in most homes, your HVAC dampers are located in the main supply trunks. Some homes have no dampers at all. Hopefully most homes have a damper in each one of the supply ducts. Your home may have a supply duct go to the right and you might have one go to the left off of your furnace.

What are dampers in buildings?

Seismic Dampers are used in damping the oscillations of a building during an earthquake. The Dampers allow the building to move elastically and dissipate the energy of the earthquake. This, in turn, produces substantial savings as structural elements can be optimized for cost savings.

What does a damper do in HVAC?

An HVAC damper (also called a duct damper) is a movable plate, located in the ductwork, that regulates airflow and redirects it to specific areas of the home. Dampers are typically used in zoning or “zone control” systems.

How do you increase airflow in air ducts?

5 Ways to Improve Airflow in Your Home Check Vents and Registers. One of the simplest things you can do to increase airflow in your home is to check the vents and registers in each room. Turn on Ceiling Fans. Schedule HVAC Maintenance. Consider Duct Cleaning. Invest in a Ventilator.

How do you redirect air flow?

If there’s a room or part of a room in your home where you don’t want airflow, you can close that vent entirely by placing an adjustable vent deflector over it to limit or block the air. This redirects airflow to other rooms.

Can I add a damper to a fireplace?

Installing a chimney damper does not require any special tools. If your fireplace does not already have a damper installed, especially if your home is older, it is prudent to install one. The energy savings that the damper will bring about will cause it to pay for itself over time.

Can I put a damper in double wall stove pipe?

When using Double Wall Stove Pipe with wood burning stoves, you may also want to consider a stove pipe damper kit. The improved draft control this damper provides helps make the most of the Double Wall Stove Pipe’s efficient design. The inline damper comes installed inside a 6″ length of pipe.

How far up do you put a damper in a stove pipe?

A damper is usually located approximately 12 to 18 inches from the stove, prior to the spot where the pipe exits into a chimney, if present. The damper retains heat that escapes up the chimney or flue. It allows this heat to dissipate into the area being heated by the woodstove.

What is the difference between a flue and a damper?

The flue is simply the open middle of the chimney that the smoke goes up. A damper is intended to shut off- either fully or partially- the chimney flue. The reason you’d want to do that is to keep heat ($$$) from escaping up the chimney.

Do you have to put a damper in a stove pipe?

Newer models of wood stove don’t typically require a damper. A damper was traditionally used on older, less efficient, models of stove to help reduce the flow of air leaving the firebox. Certified modern stoves meet stringent regulations and typically won’t need a damper to perform well.

How do I add a supply vent to an existing duct?

Tools Needed. Step #1: Locate The Spot & Mark It. Step #2: Cut Duct Piece & Mark Vent Cover. Step #3: Add The Vent. Step #4: Cut Insulation Around Marked Hole. Step #5: Mark Holes on Vent & Drill Them. Step #6: Screw Vent.

What size bypass damper do I need?

Use the following equation to help size bypass dampers for the correct airflow: Bypass Airflow (cfm) = Unit Airflow (cfm) – All Zones Minimum Airflow (cfm). To size the damper, select a damper based on calculated bypass cfm and a maximum velocity between 1,750 and 2,250 FPM.

Are backdraft dampers necessary?

A backdraft damper is able to allow contaminated air to flow out of the home but prevents contaminated air from sweeping back in to the home. Without a backdraft damper in place, horrid odors that sometime infiltrate a certain room in the home would not have a way of dissipating.

What is the purpose of back draft damper?

Backdraft dampers (also known as gravity dampers) are used in ventilation systems to allow airflow in one direction and prevent airflow in the opposite direction.

How do I keep cold air from coming into my exhaust fan?

Install a Quality Back-draft Damper To Prevent Cold/Hot Drafts. The most effective way to prevent cold air from coming into your bathroom is to install a back-draft damper. Some models may refer to something called an exhaust fan draft blocker. Please note that this is the same thing as a back-draft damper.