If your home has just one thermostat, you may want to know if there is a way to adjust the amount of heat in the rooms. It's not uncommon for homes to have just one thermostat, and it is also not uncommon for homes to have uneven heating in the rooms. If you have an area of your house that is too hot and an area that is too cold, you might be able to fix this problem by adjusting the dampers attached to the heating system.

What Are Dampers?

The first thing you should understand is what a damper is, and the second thing you will need to learn is how to locate the dampers in your home. A damper is a device that opens and closes, and the sole purpose of a damper is to control the amount of air that flows through the air ducts in your home. While not every home has dampers on the HVAC system, most do. Dampers allow homeowners a way to increase the amount of airflow to one area of the house and decrease it to another.

Where Can You Find the Dampers?

If you are interested in adjusting the dampers in your home, you will need to locate them before you can make any adjustments. The best place to start when looking for the dampers in your home is in your basement or crawlspace. Heating contractors place manual dampers in areas that can easily be accessed, and you will find the dampers if you look in these areas if your heating system has them.

As you look at the ductwork in your basement or crawlspace, look at the areas where you see branches. A branch is simply an air duct that leads off a main air duct. When you spot these areas, look for a lever. Once you find this, you can move it to see what changes it makes in your home.

When Might You Need to Adjust the Dampers Again?

You should not have to adjust the dampers often; however, you may need to adjust them twice a year. The first time would be when summer starts and you use the AC in your home. The other time would be when winter starts and you begin using your heat.

Locating and adjusting the dampers attached to your HVAC system could solve the problem you are having. If you try this and are still experiencing problems, contact a heating contractor, such as Bill Rhiner's Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, in your city.