Commercial businesses, industrial facilities, and more rely on HVAC systems to provide the appropriate conditioned indoor air. To control the amount of air that enters a specific space, an HVAC damper system is used. An HVAC damper system relies on movable plates within the ductwork to control or redirect the amount of air moving to certain spaces or zones of a building.
By redirecting the air within the ductwork instead of inside each room, more conditioned air reaches the desired areas without losing its specific temperatures. In addition, the HVAC system doesn’t work as much to create conditioned air to fill ducts that are blocked by room registers. The air will go through chosen duct pathways to the desired areas, increasing building efficiency and lowering HVAC costs.
Understanding How HVAC Dampers Work
An HVAC damper system works by using large damping plates within the ductwork. The main function of an HVAC damper is the control the amount of cooled or heated air that flows through the HVAC ducts towards the system’s distribution network. These components are used in combination with thermostats to control both the temperature of the air as well as the amount of air that flows through the system.
HVAC dampers also allow operators to completely shut off or limit the amount of airflow to unused zones or zones that only need a small amount of heated or cooled air. The prevents air from being wasted in empty areas, which results in cost savings and improved efficiency.
Two common types of HVAC dampers include:
Manual Dampers
Manual dampers require an operator to work a screw or lever by hand to control the damper plates. These HVAC dampers are ideal for more simple HVAC systems that may only have a few zones monitored on a daily basis. The lever or screw is accessible on the outside of the damper, where it can be turned to the desired position.
Automated Dampers
Automated dampers use motors to open and close damper plates and can be controlled remotely. These dampers can also self-regulate in response to changing climate conditions. When paired with a programmable thermostat, operators can designate desired conditions in each zone. This allows for much more precise internal climate conditions than manual dampers.
Importance of Automated Zone Dampers & Actuators
Automated zone dampers are ideal for large or complex HVAC systems. They allow the airflow to be regulated with less worker or operator involvement, allowing them to focus on other tasks. Automated dampers are also ideal for buildings with multiple floors. As warm air rises, the automated zone damper may allow more conditioned air to flow into upper spaces. Actuators for HVAC systems control the functions of the dampers to open, close, or partially close them.
Alan Manufacturing, Specializing in CUSTOMIZED HVAC Dampers/Duct Products
Alan Manufacturing offers customizable manual HVAC dampers and automated zone dampers to suit the needs of our clients. We offer a wide range of material options, control methods, and damper types, and we can accommodate both high- and low-volume production runs with quick turnaround times. We assemble all of our equipment in accordance with ATSM, CE, UL, and RoHs standards to ensure optimal quality and industry compliance. To learn more about or HVAC damper solutions, request more information today.
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