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Automatic Vent Damper System | Gas Heat Flue Economizer. The automatic vent damper adds efficiency to water heaters and furnaces. The automatic flue damper traps heat in the furnace, boiler, or water heater. It holds heat in and around the heat exchanger instead of allowing it to rise up the flue.
The control voltage from the appliance powers the automatic vent damper. The automatic vent damper has a little motor that powers it to the closed position. It leaves all the heat trapped inside the furnace, boiler, or hot water heater. Prior to the existence of automatic vent dampers, the heat escaped up the flue and vented to the atmosphere.
Safety First | Automatic Vent Damper System | Gas Heat Flue Economizer
With the automatic vent damper or gas flue economizer, the heat remains inside the unit. This adds a lot of efficiency to the system. It prevents the heat from escaping into the atmosphere. To prevent the burners from firing until the damper is completely open an end switch prevents burners from firing. The damper must be open for safety reasons. If closed when the burner fires, dangerous gases will not vent. Therefore, the end switch prevents the unsafe operation of the appliance. Furthermore, the flames wouldn’t burn correctly because the combustion gases wouldn’t have a direct place to vent.
Automatic Vent Damper System | Gas Heat Flue Economizer
An appliance with a closed damper will not fire. If your appliance won’t fire check the automatic vent damper. Check to make sure the damper is opening when the appliance is calling for heat. If you find it is not opening check the wiring connections. If all wiring connections are tight, it’s time to call a professional. A professional can troubleshoot the problem quickly and efficiently. A properly working automatic vent damper or gas flue economizer can save you energy costs.
Automatic vent dampers are designed for the water heater or furnace. When replacing your water heater or furnace choose the one with an automatic vent damper. Choose the model that will close the flue off when the burners quit firing. This adds efficiency by trapping the heat inside the heat exchanger rather than letting it go up the flue. There are some aftermarket automatic vent dampers and some work better than others. One brand has a bi-metal damper. When the temperature rises the bi-metal opens the flue. When the flue cools the bi-metal closes the flue off. These non-motorized dampers are not as efficient as the automatic flue damper but they are better than nothing.
What Its All ABout | Automatic Vent Damper System | Gas Heat Flue Economizer
It is all about energy efficiency and saving money. It prevents the heat from going up the flue. The heat produced by your gas furnace, water heater, or boiler that you pay for in your utility bill. Take a minute to look at your system and then call an HVAC professional. Ask them if your current system can be retrofitted with an automatic vent damper. Therefore, you can have an efficient appliance that saves you more money.
Gas Heat Flue Economizer – Automatic Vent Damper System
