Picking The Right Damper For Your Needs

When it comes time to replace your ductwork, it would also be wise to consider your needs and plan out your dampers from there. In short, in HVAC parlance, dampers are points within ductwork that typically serve intake/exhaust applications. This could include venting steam from a laundry room, relieving built-up pressure within a zoned HVAC system, or keeping your fireplace safe from backdrafts.

So what do dampers do exactly? We are so glad you asked.

Butterfly Backdraft Dampers

If you were wondering what keeps pests like nesting birds, squirrels, or many outside smells out of your bathroom fan, it’s thanks to butterfly backdraft dampers. These are useful in applications where a powered damper is not needed. As exhaust exits the home, the damper opens, allowing the indoor air to escape, and closing once it is done exhausting.

It is always a good idea to keep your bathroom and kitchen fan filters clean and free of outside residue and buildup, as it can ultimately clog your damper. These can be used in both vertical and horizontal orientations, and are applicable with heat exchangers, exhaust systems, and solar heating systems. We even have a video that shows how they work.

Motorized Power Dampers

In a zoned HVAC configuration, certain parts of the house are heated/cooled differently than other parts of the house. As a result, motorized dampers help divert hot/cold air to their respective areas to meet the needs of each respective zone.

Why is this important? It’s because certain parts of the house may be under different conditions than others. A few examples include:

• north-facing rooms generally have little to no sunlight, 
• rooms over an uninsulated space in a temperate climate are subject to more extreme temperatures,
• a new energy leak was just discovered in a certain area

And if you are already in a zoned HVAC configuration and having problems with your current motorized dampers, we have several to choose from.

Pressure Relief Dampers

If you have a zoned HVAC system, pressure relief dampers are going to be what keeps your ductwork and everything attached to it from building up too much pressure. The pressure can be preset to your desired setting and relieve trapped air before it can damage your system.

And the best part is that these come in 6 to 18 inch diameter configurations, so you can bet FAMCO has a high-quality pressure relief damper that will keep you safe.

How FAMCO Can Help

FAMCO is one of the biggest manufacturers and distributors of HVAC equipment and accessories in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are a weekend DIY warrior or a contractor going out on a project, we have top-quality HVAC equipment that comes with a 1-year warranty. If you have any questions about our products and/or services, feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would be more than happy to help.