Author Topic: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?  (Read 2608 times)

Manguy888

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How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« on: January 30, 2018, 07:26:22 AM »
I had my furnace fixed recently - one of the things the crotchety repair-man did was force the vent damper open because the damper motor was shot. He didn't have another motor on him. He told me that the damper's only purpose was efficiency, but that it is very minor gain and I shouldn't even worry about it. I also got the sense that he was a guy for whom nothing good has been invented since 1975.

I needed the heat, so I let him go on his way.

Obviously I'm going to fix this thing eventually. But in your expert opinions, is this a big enough efficiency gain that I should get it fixed right away? If so, I'll do it. If not, I'll wait until the spring when I don't need the heat and try to do it myself, knowing I'm not going to freeze my pipes (or my family) if I screw something up

Sibley

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Re: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2018, 08:08:19 PM »
Can't help you on the furnace, but don't call that furnace guy again. I would not be particularly happy if a repair man broke my furnace and left it that way.

dummy

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Re: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2018, 03:13:13 AM »
It is for efficiency. They break often. You will not gain much if you repair it. The crotchety repair man is accurate.

Nate R

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Re: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2018, 11:29:19 AM »
The gains in efficiency are likely not worth the repair cost, I'd think.
Water heaters are available with powered dampers, and it doesn't seem to improve the overall efficiency a ton.

FredVasco

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Re: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2018, 07:36:00 AM »
what is that for?

Miss Piggy

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Re: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2018, 09:51:16 AM »
I also got the sense that he was a guy for whom nothing good has been invented since 1975.

Huh. I had no idea my dad was fixing furnaces in Rhode Island these days. :)

Manguy888

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Re: How important is the vent damper in gas furnace?
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2018, 11:17:25 AM »
I also got the sense that he was a guy for whom nothing good has been invented since 1975.

Huh. I had no idea my dad was fixing furnaces in Rhode Island these days. :)

Thank you Miss Piggy - that made me giggle

 

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