Common Types of HVAC Dampers

In this blog entry, the professional Denver air duct cleaning service and Denver HVAC sanitization service team here at Denver Air Ducts will detail 5 of the most common types of HVAC dampers that we commonly see in both Denver homes and businesses.

HVAC systems are composed of a range of large and small components that all work together to make sure that air properly flows throughout your home. Dampers are a significant and essential piece of HVAC system mechanics, and help regulate the air quality and temperature of your home. dampers help to control air flow throughout your HVAC system and ensure that your HVAC system doesn’t get overloaded. Dampers are usually placed in particular areas of your home, and can’t be installed just anywhere in your HVAC system. When dampers are open, they allow air to move through them, and when closed, they redirect airflow to a different part of your home. There are many different kinds of dampers – some of which require manual adjustment and repairs, while others can be controlled with wireless technology. 

Different Types of HVAC Dampers

  • Butterfly Flat Dish Dampers

These dampers are made of special plates that are attached to hinges in a way that resembles butterfly wings. They are simple to install, and move air in a single direction. They are commonly found in HVAC systems that have round ducts, and are fantastic for preventing air from backdrafting.

  • Blade Dampers

 There are two main types of blade dampers:  opposed blade dampers and parallel blade dampers. opposed blade dampers have multiple blades that automatically move, and parallel blade dampers are installed parallel from one another. opposed blade dampers are more popular, as they provide more specific control over airflow, however parallel blade dampers are those who want a consistent and constant flow of air to stay in place.

  • Louver Dampers

Louver dampers are highly versatile and can be installed in a wide range of air duct sizes – which makes them the most commonly found damper in residential homes. They can very effectively redirect air, and automatically close when air pressure gets too high.

  • Fire Dampers

These dampers are built to specifically prevent fires. they’re usually installed inside single-family homes or multi-family homes – ranging from Standalone houses to large apartment complexes. They are also sometimes found in office buildings. These dampers work automatically, and have special sensors that help close them up when any Flame or smoke is detected to help contain a fire and reduce the chances of smoke inhalation. As long as fire dampers receive regular maintenance, they generally work very well.

  • Zone Dampers

 These dampers are automatically connected to your thermostat and adjust their operation based on thermostat settings. When you adjust the thermostat for one area of your home, you will sign the Zone damper to adjust its settings for that particular area. This makes zone dampers a highly Advanced and effective option for home or business owners that want to maintain very specific ambient temperatures in air flows for different areas of their property at different times of day.