HVAC Damper

Описание: Businesses and homeowners constantly strive to get the most cost-effective performance from their HVAC systems. Many do so by maintaining control over the distribution of warm or cool air through the installation of HVAC dampers, which oversee airflow throughout your system.

An HVAC damper is a valve or plate that performs a function similar to that of a traffic cop in a major intersection. These components control the amount of heated or cooled air that passes through the HVAC’s ducts toward the system’s distribution network. HVAC dampers act in tandem with the thermostat to deliver the desired air quality—thermostats control the temperature of the air, and dampers control the amount of air that flows through the system.

Dampers allow for more precise control over zone heating and cooling. Using these components results in major cost savings for the operator, because the responsibility for heating or cooling a room relies on more than just a thermostat.

HVAC dampers also allow operators to either limit or completely shut off airflow to unused zones or zones that require a lower volume of heated or cooled air. This permits your central HVAC system to provide temperate air for rooms in use without wasting it on empty areas, resulting in increased energy and cost savings.

Manual Dampers vs. Automatic Dampers
There are two common types of HVAC dampers: manual and automatic. Each system brings unique benefits to HVAC applications.

Manual Dampers
Levers located outside of air vents and ducts control damper plates or valves in a manual system. Most manual dampers have a straightforward design that allows operators to intuitively control airflow through the system, and they tend to be relatively durable and maintenance free.

However, manual dampers lack the precision of automatic dampers. They also cannot be operated remotely, which especially creates difficulties in facilities that mount their HVAC systems on or near their ceilings.

Automatic Dampers
Automatic dampers use small motors to open and close damping plates and valves. The main difference between automatic and manual dampers (including manual motorized dampers) is that automatic systems can be controlled remotely and can self-regulate in response to changing climate conditions.

Operators use thermostats to designate the desired conditions in each of the various zones, and the thermostats then calculate the precise air temperature and airflow that can achieve these conditions. This means that automatic dampers can provide much more precise internal climate conditions than manual dampers, and they can be programmed remotely to doing so.