Please take a moment to review a demonstration of the Aldes self-regulating volume control damper, CAR-II.
The Aldes CAR (control air regulator) is one of Air Flow’s most intriguing, yet underutilized products.
One of the biggest and best surprises about this product is how inexpensive it is. A CAR-II damper set for 6” diameter to hold 105 cfm is about $45. (Provided the static is between 0.2” and 0.8”.)
You can see from the video that the constant volume control damper requires no controller, no actuator, and no electronics. So let’s consider some ways to make use of the product:
- TOILET EXHAUST: Consider the benefit of using fewer, larger fans. With the CAR, you can reduce electrical installation, reduce energy consumption, reduce installed cost (probably), and reduce sound levels.
- DOAS TO FAN COILS, CHILLED BEAMS, VRF, HEAT PUMPS, and DIRECT TO SPACE: For smaller air flows, trying to balance a 4” or 6” system requires more labor cost than the damper is worth. For larger systems, you can get rid of a VAV box. Again, you can reduce the total installation cost.
- ELIMINATE CONSTANT VOLUME VENTURI VALVES: The principle of pressure independence is the same. The CAR damper costs a fraction of what a venturi costs. It also generates less sound and requires less static pressure to operate.
- ELIMINATE CONSTANT VOLUME SUPPLY AND RETURN TERMINALS: While a VAV terminal box isn’t very expensive, the application of controls can be. With this CAR, you can eliminate the terminals that serve non-critical spaces.
- USE TWO CAR DAMPERS FOR OCCUPIED/UNOCCUPIED CONTROL: American Aldes has an assembly called the ZRT-IL that places 1 or 2 dampers in a box. A 24v actuator moves either a blade damper OR a smaller CAR damper into the air path to produce no flow or reduced flow. This product can work for well for hotels, offices, and schools.
- ELIMINATE STACK EFFECT: Traditionally, the CAR damper is used to solve air flow issues in high rise buildings. The stack effect produces unstable air flow in different seasons of the year and can put a building out of balance.
- GET RID OF THE BALANCER!: If a rooftop unit delivers the right amount of air, install CAR dampers in lieu of balancing dampers and eliminate the need for a balancing contractor. This can also apply to large exhaust systems as well.
The Aldes CAR ( control air regulator) presents a variety of pretty neat opportunities to save project costs and provide good air flow control.
