Backdraft dampers, also known as butterfly dampers, are the unsung heroes of energy-saving. Essentially acting as a one-way air valve, they're used in several applications to prevent unconditioned outside air from flowing through vents into your home. For example, a clothes dryer exhaust duct is a common entry point for warm moist air in the summer and cold air in winter.
By installing a backdraft damper, you ensure that air flow only goes to the outside. Similarly, a backdraft damper may be used to keep unconditioned air from entering your kitchen or bathroom via a range hood and bath vent ducting.
Dr. Energy Saver can install backdraft dampers in the rooms that need them in your home. Have one of our certified dealers out to inspect your home and discuss your options with you!
The most common backdraft damper design, the butterfly damper, consists of a galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel cylinder with one or two pivoting blades inside. When two blades are used, they move in opposite directions, like butterfly wings, giving these dampers their name. The blades stay open when air is flowing in the proper direction but close when it stops, such as when you turn the dryer off. Butterfly dampers can stop up to 99.9 percent of wrong-way air flow through the damper. Sidewall hooded dampers are also available. They, too, are cylindrical and have blades that stop air flow. A hood shields the damper from direct wind and rain.
Newer back draft dampers have a specially fabricated fabric sleeve, called a "cape." With cape backdraft dampers, air flow is virtually unimpeded when flowing in the correct direction but is stopped by the fabric in the reverse direction. These designs have more free area (nothing blocking the air flow) and therefore greater venting capacity than one- and two-bladed vents. A bonus with this type of damper is that it's silent; there are no clanging parts.
With so many designs to choose from, it might be hard to tell which style to use or where to install your backdraft damper. Trust the professionals at Dr. Energy Saver to get the job done. All of our dealers have experience with these products. Contact your local dealer to schedule a home audit!
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