Damper position

[ifuwill]

Can anyone tell me whether the damper by the furnace in the basement should be open or closed in the summer with the A/C running? And... the reason why please?
I can't remember what the technician advised.
The house is a 2100 sq ft bungalow with a full basement which is mostly above ground level.
Thanks
Cam

[Kevin O'Neill]

???

Post a picture. Without knowing what the damper controls, no one can even hazard a guess.

[beenthere]

What damper are you talking about.
Is it for a humidifier.
Or for a vent to the basement.

[ifuwill]

What damper are you talking about.
Is it for a humidifier.
Or for a vent to the basement.


Hi. Not even sure it is called a damper but it is the big round flap (aprox 6 inches across) at the end of a round duct that terminates approximately 6 - 8 ft from the furnace near the ceiling. It is an air intake and I can't recall if the technician told me to close it in the summer or conversely open in the winter. Apparently closing it will force more air to be drawn in from the upstairs return air ducts. I hope this helps.
Thanks
Cam

[beenthere]

Fresh air intake damper.

Should be set to only bring in a limited amount of fresh air summer or winter.

How much caries with the house.

[ifuwill]

Fresh air intake damper.

Should be set to only bring in a limited amount of fresh air summer or winter.

How much caries with the house.


I think you think that it draws air from outside but it does not. It only draws air from the furnace room.

[beenthere]

Ok.

Combustion air intake?

Is your furnace an 80%. Flue vents with metal pipe. If so, then its a combustion air intake.

Do you have a gas water heater. If so, you may need to leave it open for the water heater.

Can you post a pic of it, and the furnace room.

[maintenanceguy]

6" round...opens to the basement...sounds like a barametric damper.

If it's on the flue gas stack going to the chimeny and not on the ductwork, it's function is to make sure your combustion gasses are moving at the right speed through the furnace and up the chimney. As the burned fuel moves up the chimney, this device opens and closes automatically depending on the pressure in the chimney. It keeps the chimney pressure constant for a constant flow of "smoke" up the chimney.

look here for pictures:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=barametric%20damper&cts=1243035781059&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

If it's actually on the ductwork going to parts of your house...I haven't got a clue.

[6094dan]

sounds like a fresh air intake for combustion. tight mechanical rooms need air from outside the room in order to prevent a positive draft condition which can happen if a fuel burning appliance runs out of combustion air in a confined space.