What Is the Damper on the Top of My Hot Water Boiler?
Hot water boilers are used as heating systems and are an alternative to forced-air systems used in many parts of the country. These boilers are usually fueled by either heating oil or, where available, natural gas. These boilers are sometimes retrofitted with a vent damper that serves an important purpose in helping the boiler keep the house warm. Does this Spark an idea?
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Purpose
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The primary purpose of a damper on both oil-fired and gas-fueled boiler hot water boilers is to help prevent heat loss through the chimney. The damper basically closes off the boiler and prevents heat loss when the boiler shuts down. These dampers are more common on newer model furnaces, but it is also possible for an older model furnace to be retrofitted with one of these devices.
Usefulness
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Vent dampers on the top of boilers vary in terms of their usefulness. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hot water boilers do not benefit as much from the use of these vent dampers as steam boilers do. Likewise, the same is true of bigger boilers. Large boilers tend to benefit more from the use of a damper than small ones do.
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How They Work
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Boiler dampers are designed to open and close automatically as needed. They close when the boiler is no longer firing. The way that they detect this is by working in conjunction with another device known as an intermittent ignition device, or IID. The IID is connected to the boiler's thermostat and is primarily responsible for keeping the pilot light on when it is needed. This design contrasts with older pilot light systems that are always on.
Effectiveness
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The U.S. Department of Energy indicates that the use of an automatic damper may not prove to be an effective solution for eliminating heat loss. Instead, the department recommends either replacement of the boiler or the use of a flame retention burner on older models.
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References
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