Some rooms need more airflow than others, and sometimes there is a temperature disparity between rooms and/or levels in your home. Adjusting the air flow rate in the
Some rooms need more airflow than others, and sometimes there is a temperature disparity between rooms and/or levels in your home. Adjusting the air flow rate in the duct can help to alleviate these issues. This can be done by adjusting what are called dampers in the system. There are basically three types of dampers – Face, Branch, and Main dampers. Face dampers are the ones that are on the face of the register itself. These can be used to regulate airflow if needed, but this is not the most desired method.
The second are the small levers located on the round branch ducts. These levers can be adjusted to regulate air flow closer to the source. If the lever is parallel to the pipe, the damper is open. If the lever is perpendicular to the pipe the damper is shut, and there is a varying degree of settings in between. These are the best dampers to use to regulate the air into individual rooms.
Main dampers are the dampers that are located in the larger main trunk lines. Not all systems have these, but if installed it gives the home owner another avenue of adjusting airflow if needed. An example of this would be regulating the airflow out of either side of a tee fitting, and the levers themselves are often similar to branch dampers.
Remember bathrooms need less incoming air than other rooms, and second floor rooms may need more. By using the dampers to limit or increase airflow you may be able to increase comfort levels in the home overall.
