What is a damper in HVAC ductwork?

What is a damper in HVAC ductwork?

• A. A filter device that removes particles
• B. A valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct
• C. A blower that pushes air
• D. A thermostat controlling humidity

Answer: (B)

Dampers are devices inside ductwork that stop or regulate the flow of air. They are essentially plates or valves that can be opened, closed, or partly closed to throttle air, and they can be operated manually or by a motor. This lets you balance air distribution across different parts of the system, control airflow to different zones, and optimize energy use by reducing flow to areas not in use or adjusting for changes in pressure. This isn’t a filter, which is designed to remove particles from the air. It isn’t a blower, which pushes air through the system. And it isn’t a thermostat, which controls temperature (and sometimes humidity) but does not regulate airflow inside the ductwork.

Dampers are devices inside ductwork that stop or regulate the flow of air. They are essentially plates or valves that can be opened, closed, or partly closed to throttle air, and they can be operated manually or by a motor. This lets you balance air distribution across different parts of the system, control airflow to different zones, and optimize energy use by reducing flow to areas not in use or adjusting for changes in pressure.

This isn’t a filter, which is designed to remove particles from the air. It isn’t a blower, which pushes air through the system. And it isn’t a thermostat, which controls temperature (and sometimes humidity) but does not regulate airflow inside the ductwork.