Hvac Dampers Lifespan
When it comes to HVAC dampers, maintenance is the key in prolonging their life, but over time the damper motor will likely wear out.
The more frequently you use your HVAC unit, the more it will wear and tear, and your damper will be the first one to give up. Many homeowners think that having the proper maintenance and quality of the damper will ensure that dampers will last long.
How long do HVAC dampers last? HVAC dampers can last up to 15 years. With proper maintenance, your HVAC dampers can last as long as your system lasts. That means damper motors can last 15 years, but they will be prone to malfunction if neglected, just like any electrical device.
This article aims to discuss what kind of problems you may run into while maintaining your HVAC dampers, signs of wear and tear to look out for, what to do about them and how to repair or replace them.
How A Zone Control System Works
Generally, zone control systems are a good option if you want to conserve energy while achieving customized comfort throughout your home.
However, this system is not immune to encountering problems itself. Typically, it is advised that you should encounter problems with your zone control system.
It would help if you opted to call an expert to come in, help you determine the problem, and think of a solution.
Zone control systems are what you would call a series of dampers installed directly into your supply ducts.
These dampers are usually wired to the main control panel, where each zone’s thermostat is connected. This allows the central system to control and regulate each zone through the use of dampers.
HVAC Dampers Common Problems
Listed below are some problems you should look out for if you want your dampers to last as long as possible:
Problems With The Zone Thermostat
It is entirely possible for a thermostat to malfunction due to dust and dirt if the panel has not been appropriately cleaned, incorrect calibration on the system, or simply dying batteries.
When you encounter any problems with your ventilation, make sure to check the thermostat first since they are one of the most crucial parts of the system.
Problems With The Dampers
There are times when the dampers of the motorized component can get stuck, which prohibits the damper from opening and closing as intended. Getting a ductwork specialist can significantly help you locate and repair or replace the problematic damper.
Problems With The Main Control System
The main control panel is responsible for taking the information from each zone’s thermostat and controlling the dampers.
According to the data received to maintain temperatures within those enclosures, as this mechanism is a central and highly integral part of a ventilation system, any issues with wiring, electricity, and others can interfere with the intended function of the main control panel.
How To Determine If An HVAC Damper Is Bad
As we know, HVAC dampers control and regulate the amount of air that flows through a section of ductwork. As the name implies, manual volume dampers have to be adjusted by hand, while automatic system dampers can be controlled by a mechanism through the HVAC system.
Proper airflow through the ductwork cannot be achieved if any HVAC dampers go bad since this will lead to much or too little airflow through the duct.
Determine and identify if your HVAC damper is a manual or automatic damper. You can distinguish a manual damper if it has an adjustment handle on the ductwork side, while automatic dampers will feature a control motor.
Follow the ductwork from the damper to figure out which one it registers to, and you may be required to check the airflow out of the registers while the unit is running.
Adjust the handle of the damper to the closed position if you have a manual control damper. Recheck the registers if there is airflow through the ductwork or not.
Adjust the dampers once again, put them in the open position, and check the registers if you feel an airflow while the damper is closed or the opposite while it is open; that is a sign that the damper has gone wrong.
Turn on your HVAC unit if you have an automatic control damper in your home. Check the registers and determine the airflow.
If you sense a little airflow and the room seems to have problems maintaining temperature or feel heavy airflow and the room seems drafty, that may be a sign that your control damper is faulty.
Manual dampers don’t take much work to replace if you know anything about home improvement. All it involves is a minor disassembly of the ductwork to replacing the parts of the damper that need to be changed.
If you do have an automatic damper that went bad, it might be best to call in a professional technician to look at it as there can be extensive control wiring involved if you ever have to replace the damper.
How Long HVAC Dampers Last
Everyone eventually learns the harsh truth that nothing lasts forever, but some things can last a very long time. Your HVAC dampers can be one of those things.
While your central air conditioning system can be considered old at 15 years (with a fair few replacements to the parts), you can expect your dampers to outlive that by just a little bit with proper care and maintenance. Your HVAC damper can last up to 20 years if you look after them carefully.
Of course, as with all appliances, this number can go up with relatively low use or down with relatively heavy usage.
If you left your dampers and haven’t operated them for quite some time, there might also be some hazards if you abruptly start them up again, and if you switch through them multiple times daily, this type of usage puts the dampers at a lot more wear and tear than you may expect.
As long as you remember to keep your usage to a comfortable minimum and do regular checkups, it will not be hard for you to maintain a long and functional relationship with your dampers.
If it has been less than 20 years and there haven’t been any problems so far, there isn’t anything to worry about.
Maintaining Your HVAC Damper
The easiest method to determine whether or not there might be something wrong with your damper is to get it up and work. You don’t need a professional for this, so don’t worry.
The first thing to do is make sure you know which part of the damper’s ductwork affects. This is achieved by simply following the ductwork from the damper to figure out which areas of the house it should be able to affect. Make sure that you can access these registers comfortably and efficiently.
Next up, identify whether the damper is manual or automatic. A manual damper should feature a handle for adjustments, while an automatic damper is motor-controlled.
This should be pretty easy to identify if you’re familiar with some examples. Shut the dampers and see if the airflow has stopped as intended.
If your automatic damper is still functional, then it isn’t time to replace it just yet; however, there may be a case where your damper works just fine, but your thermostat isn’t.
The primary control system thinks that the temperature is different from what is actually experienced in the zone.
Checking this is pretty straightforward as well. Make sure that your thermostat is working. If it isn’t working when you try to use it, just get new batteries.
Double-check the thermostat’s calibration. One crucial component of the thermostat is its internal thermometer which, over time, may stop working correctly. If it isn’t working despite that, then get a new thermostat.
Getting a simple thermometer and placing it next to the thermostat is an easy way to check the thermostat’s calibration. Leave the thermometer and cool the room.
Once the cooling is done, check the thermometer and the thermostat for the right temperature. Check the main settings of the control system.
There is always a risk of miscommunication during the setup of your control dampers. Make sure the rooms in question are separated and are not a part of a different cooling zone.
DIY Method In Replacing Your Dampers
While many people may prefer hiring a technician to do the tedious process of any major home improvement project, saving up hundreds of dollars by simply doing it yourself is quite a tempting thought on its own.
Before you dive headfirst, it isn’t a bad idea to know what you’re getting into.
An essential advisory for this project and any project related to appliances is to make sure that the units you will be working on are turned off. Not abiding by this advice may run the risk of severe injury and severe damage on your person or in your home, respectively.
Find the dampers in the system. You may have already finished this step while you were assessing your dampers. If so, then make sure that the ductwork is supported before you proceed.
Open and inspect the ductwork. Use a knife to score the foil and remove the screws through the scores. Doing this should give you access to the fitted ductwork.
Extract the damper from the ductwork. Slide the damper section out and set it aside. Pay attention to where the crimped end is on as this is the direction the air is flowing. You’ll want to remember this to orient the replacement damper correctly.
If you’re looking for a more secure bond, maybe it’s time to use the mastic. Mastic is a thick paint-like substance that dries to form an exceptionally tight seal.
Apply this on the crimped end of your new damper if you want something more substantial than duct tape. This step is entirely optional.
Install the brand new damper. All you have to do is slide the crimped edge into the ductwork in the same direction as the airflow. Doing so will prevent air from leaking through the seal. The final step is to seal everything back up. Make sure everything is connected.
Pro Tip:
- Use some sheet metal screws on both ends to tighten everything securely.
- Feel free to use fiberglass tape, duct tape, or more mastic to help you seal everything so that no air leaks out.
- Turn on the system and check if there are any adjustments needed.
Should You Call A Professional To Replace Your HVAC Damper?
Ultimately, making this decision regarding any home improvement project will boil down to an argument of cost versus time.
Since this is not what one would call a dangerous job, as long as you follow the commonly practiced safety precautions, the only things you’ll ever actually be risking are time, strain, and parts.
The only time you should ever call a technician is if you’re unsure about checking or repairing anything yourself.
While the usual parts for replacing an HVAC damper can average at around $200, a professional replacement may set you back $500.
That price point may change depending on the local companies you’re employing, your particular ductwork setup, and whether or not it’s a part of a much larger maintenance job.
If you aren’t confident in your home improvement skills, it would be better for you to burn a few bucks getting some professional help than mess up a perfectly repairable ventilation system because you wanted to save a couple of hundred dollars.
Conclusion
Some households consider having an HVAC ventilation system the height of home luxury. Imagine having targeted temperature control right at your fingertips, meaning any part of your house can be a paradise while the other doesn’t burden your bills.
And yet, not all good things last – or may at least need a replacement. HVAC dampers are a long-lasting and study investment but may need some effort to repair or replace when they do break down.
