Types of Air Dampers and What They Are Used For

Air dampers are an essential part of and a popular product used for a range of industrial applications such as extraction systems. When it comes to the HVAC system, they help make a living or working space comfortable, efficient, and maintain it at the right temperature. In a given building, there are a lot of things that the experts can do to boost the efficiency of the heating and cooling system. One of the most efficient solutions is to ensure airflow is directed property by making use of air dampers.

In this article, we’ll explore what dampers are and look at some of the types of dampers that are most commonly used in a lot of larger building projects such as in flats, offices, and hospitals..

What is a damper?

The majority of people will choose to control the flow of air in a given space by using the vent adjustment option. Although this seems like the right answer and it allows you to slow down or speed up the air, it’s not the most efficient way to achieve your mission. Instead, using a damper will prove to be less energy efficient and beneficial for many reasons.

A damper is a tiny, plate-like part that you can find inside ducting. This small piece allows you to manage the airflow throughout the year to ensure maximum comfort. Some ductwork already includes a damper while others will need to have one installed. Apart from being used within ducts, dampers can also be used within chimneys, a variable-air-volume box, and other air handling units. They are the perfect choice of support if you’re looking to stop the airflow escaping away into unused rooms where there is no need for air conditioning.

Different types of air dampers you should know about

There are many different types of air dampers and they can be classified into groups according to different factors. For instance, if we look at the control methods, air dampers can be divided into automatic and manual dampers. If we explore their construction, on the other hand, they can fall under two main categories – parallel blade dampers and opposed blade dampers. We can also look at them from the perspective of their application. If we do this we’ll come across a wide range of dampers, including mixing dampers, round dampers, combined fire and smoke dampers, balancing dampers, face and bypass dampers, and so much more.

Today, we’ll explore in more detail fire dampers, backdraft dampers, volume control dampers, and blast gate dampers.

Fire damper
Fire dampers are widely used where there is a fire-resistant wall in the property. Their main purpose is to prevent fire and smoke from leaving the room and travelling to another room in the property. Without a fire damper, smoke and fire are bound to escape because of the ducting vent. They are ducting fittings that are usually created using galvanized steel. There are two types of fire dampers, vertical and horizontal, and they are used for different purposes, based on the type of barriers the HVAC system has. You can also enjoy the benefits of the easy to install externally resettable fire dampers.

Backdraft damper
If you decide to install a backdraft damper in your HVAC system they’ll be positioned in certain areas in the ductwork to keep the air flowing in only one direction. Their specific design allows their blade to turn into a flap, thanks to the installed shafts at the end of each blade. This ensures that the blade only opens in the circumstance that air is flowing in the desired direction. On the other hand, if there is no air flowing through or if the air is passing in the wrong direction, the blades will close.

Backdraft dampers are great if you want to stop the air from outside entering your home. You can enjoy warm winters as the cold air won’t be allowed in. Their installation process is rather simple compared to other types of air dampers.

Volume control damper
Volume control campers can also be seen under the name zone dampers. In short, they are used to manage the airflow in air ducts. They are created using galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. The one essential factor to consider when purchasing a volume control damper is its size and the size of the room or space where it will be located. These types of dampers are ideal for adjusting the airflow volume to the remaining sections of the duct system. They can be either automatic or manual.

Blast gate dampers
Blast gate dampers are an essential element of dust extraction systems as they are responsible for getting rid of powder, wood, plastic, or other dust from the surrounding space. They are a type of gate valve that allows for the proper airflow. They are also popularly used to close the points of extraction, if necessary. They are simple to install, straightforward to use, and easy to clean. Their design is simple, allowing for the easy moving and securing of the blade.

In short, the main purpose of using a blast gate damper is to control the airflow from a machine to another in order to boost the whole system’s efficiency. For example, ducts could be closed to stimulate more airflow reaching another machine.

Blast gate dampers are also available with pneumatic controls, these are often used in places where it would be hard to reach a manual blast gate damper to open and close.

What are the benefits of air dampers?

Air dampers help you maintain a consistent air circulation, which on the other hand results in a healthy living environment. You will be able to enjoy airflow directed towards certain areas and pulled away from others, guaranteeing your comfort at home or your working environment. The proper circulation of air and the maintenance of the right temperature and humidity levels also prevent any risks of mould growth and spread throughout the property. Air dampers can also significantly lower the consumption of energy by your HVAC system and reduce your monthly bills.

We hope that this information will come in handy when you next take on a new HVAC project for a large building or working space.