Closed air handling system with integrated damper for whole-building ventilation

Abstract

A closed air handling system for heating and/or cooling has an integrated damper mechanism for diverting discharge air into the attic or crawl space of a house, apartment, or other building, and for facilitating the introduction of fresh air into such building. Optionally, the damper has integrated louvers for use during an open position such that a venturi effect increases airflow by creating a vacuum between the louvers and the ducts connected to the discharge plenum.

1 . A method for operating a closed air handling system having a return air vent, a blower, a heater and/or cooling evaporator coil, a discharge plenum, a damper coupled to or integrated with the discharge plenum, and a plurality of ducts coupled to the discharge plenum, comprising the following steps: 
 a. selectively adjusting the damper from a closed position to an open position;    b. activating the blower, thereby drawing air through the return air vent into the closed air handling system and directing substantially all of the airflow outside of the closed air handling system instead of directing such airflow into the plurality of ducts.    
   
   
       2 . A closed air handling system comprising a return air vent, a blower, a heater and/or cooling evaporator coil, a discharge plenum, a plurality of ducts coupled to the discharge plenum, a damper hingeably coupled to or integrated with the discharge plenum such that the damper may be adjusted from a closed position to an open position whereby substantially all air moving through the closed air handling system may be preferentially directed outside the closed air handling system instead of directing such airflow into the plurality of ducts.  
   
   
       3 . The closed air handling system of  claim 2 , wherein the damper communicates via actuating means with louvers mounted in the discharge plenum in order to increase the efficiency of the closed air handling system when the damper is in the open position.