zone dampers and hvac balancing

[Eastman342]

Are there duct dampers that provide both duct balancing and motorized on/off zone control? My hvac contractor would like to add some balancing dampers to the duct work that feeds a new addition. I anticipate the need for full motorized zone control in the future. Is there something that can be upgraded with motors when the need arises?

[HVAC_HUSKER]

He would need to do A manual j and manual d for the whole house including addition... Not just adding duct and some dampers.. The whole dust system will more than likely need to be redesigned or you may need to upgrade system size. This is what manual j will tell you. Then you will have a option to use manual dampers and balance system properly or you do a complete zoning system... You can't do both.. But as long as its designed properly then system should thrive..

[Eastman342]

Let me start over. The addition is already in. It gets way too much air from the furnace, the rest of the house is now too cold. Manual J and manual D will be done. Is there a motorized damper that can be used to manually balance now, and then be used as a zoning device if it we opt for that in the future?

[HVAC_HUSKER]

Let me start over. The addition is already in. It gets way too much air from the furnace, the rest of the house is now too cold. Manual J and manual D will be done. Is there a motorized damper that can be used to manually balance now, and then be used as a zoning device if it we opt for that in the future?

Before any work is performed you need to perform a manual j and d. This is your main issue.. After this is performed then the design process is done. Then the work will be performed... Besides the fact that your contractor is not concerned for your comfort or system performance I will get back to your question.. There are two options with design either manual dampers and proper balancing or a zoning system.... Good luck... Either one would need manual j and d..

[George2]

Let me start over. The addition is already in. It gets way too much air from the furnace, the rest of the house is now too cold. Manual J and manual D will be done. Is there a motorized damper that can be used to manually balance now, and then be used as a zoning device if it we opt for that in the future?

To answer your question...no, not that I'm aware. You'll use manual dampers (for balancing the airflow) or you can upgrade to motorized or nematic dampers if you want to have zoning (more than one thermostat).

[George2]

Let me start over. The addition is already in. It gets way too much air from the furnace, the rest of the house is now too cold. Manual J and manual D will be done. Is there a motorized damper that can be used to manually balance now, and then be used as a zoning device if it we opt for that in the future?

Just to add to my last post.......the manual dampers should be there already. We always install volume and supply dampers.

[rickboggs]

Let me start over. The addition is already in. It gets way too much air from the furnace, the rest of the house is now too cold. Manual J and manual D will be done. Is there a motorized damper that can be used to manually balance now, and then be used as a zoning device if it we opt for that in the future?

I would say yes. http://www.forwardthinking.honeywell..._products.html
Install the motorized dampers, for now adjust the damper for a stationary position. When you're ready install a zone board, bypass damper and tstat..... there you go.

[carmon]

of course there are motorized dampers for residential hvac..many brands

[Eastman342]

To clarify, balancing dampers were never installed by my former contractor, they are non existent in the new addition. If something like a Honeywell ARD can provide both manual balancing and the future potential for on/off control, why not install those?

[George2]

To clarify, balancing dampers were never installed by my former contractor, they are non existent in the new addition. If something like a Honeywell ARD can provide both manual balancing and the future potential for on/off control, why not install those?

The ARD model looks more commercial grade. The retrofit model, if it can be manually adjusted, would be the one to use. I have never used Honeywell zone products but it doesn't appear able to be used in a manual mode. I don't see a handle to move the damper. I might be missing something.

[HVAC_HUSKER]

Why spend the money on a motorized damper if its going to be manually operated.. thats a waste of money unless your zoning.. mho...

[George2]

Why spend the money on a motorized damper if its going to be manually operated.. thats a waste of money unless your zoning.. mho...

Agreed.........what he's looking for is a manual (without the expensive motor) damper that can easily be retro-fitted to zoning in the future. He's trying to eliminate a step (installing the dampers twice) if the manual doesn't work. I do not know of a product that is available. It'll either be manual, then switch to zoning or go straight to zoning.

Riggboggs, post #7, suggested the Honeywell, but if he spends that much for the motorized dampers, he might as well "bite the bullet" go all the way to a full blown zoning system.

[rickboggs]

Riggboggs, post #7, suggested the Honeywell, but if he spends that much for the motorized dampers, he might as well "bite the bullet" go all the way to a full blown zoning system.

Yep, full blown for a few extra bucks.