How to Adjust the Dampers in the HVAC With a Lever

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems use blower motors to move air through the ductwork in a building. The ducts are equipped at different junctions with dampers to control airflow, so you can fine-tune the operation of the HVAC system. Directing warm air to the first floor during cold months, while narrowing the damper for the ducts to the second floor, heats a home efficiently since hot air rises. Adjusting HVAC dampers takes only a few minutes.

Stepladder
Flat-blade screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Switch the control on the wall thermostat to either heating or cooling and adjust the thermostat so the HVAC unit turns on.
- 2
  Position the stepladder below the ductwork where you can see a metal rod protruding from the side of the main duct, typically near a Y-junction where the ductwork splits in two directions.
- 3
  Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the slot at the end of the metal rod, which controls the damper. Turning the rod clockwise until the slot is parallel to the ductwork opens the damper to the widest position.
- 4
  Turn the rod counterclockwise until the slot on the end is perpendicular to close the duct completely.
- 5
  Test airflow in the building for your personal comfort level and make further adjustments as necessary to the ductwork. Some experimentation may be necessary before you find the optimal settings for your home and preferences.

How to Connect Lines to a HVAC Unit

How to Fix an HVAC Thermostat

Heating & Cooling Repair