Dryer Vent
Cleaning
Dryer vents are not something that most of us pay a lot of attention to. In fact most people very seldomly have them cleaned. Clogged dryer vents can be the reason your clothes are not dry after a drying cycle, or your clothes have a strange odor, or the top of your dryer is unusually hot during operation. But what a lot of people don’t know is that most appliance fires are dryer vent related.
A clear dryer line plays an important role in making sure your appliance works correctly, and are a hazard if clogged. It is important to have them cleaned regularly. A regular cleaning will also extend the life of your dryer in our experience with cleaning. Ensure you have a good quality cover for your outside vent to ensure birds and critters cant get in to build a nest and cause a blockage.
Did you know?
There are about 12,700 clothes-dryer fires in residential buildings annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. These preventable fires caused 15 deaths, 300 injuries and about $88 million US in property damage.
Energy Efficiency
When trying to reduce energy, the consumption of your appliances use is something you must pay attention to. With your dryer always being at the top of the list of high energy consuming appliances. Regardless if you have an Energy Star certified appliance, if its overworked, it’s going to use more energy. There are so many things we can do around the house that can make noticeable differences lower energy consumption, and reduce our utility payments, and professional dryer vent cleaning is one of them.
Benefits of Dryer Vent Cleaning
- Good Dryer Performance
- Longer Dryer Lifespan
- Dryer Clothes
- Reduced Energy Costs
- Cleaner Air
Are clogged clothes dryer vents a fire hazard?
A blocked dryer system can increase the chance for a dryer to run hotter and is a fire hazard.
Dryer lint can accumulate at the outdoor hood bird screen, and along the length of the duct, a duct fittings and at the dryer lint screen itself. Dryer venting systems can also become clogged if the dryer hose is crimped behind the dryer or the dryer duct is crushed or otherwise damaged during installation. A blocked, or partially blocked venting system, however, is only one link in a chain of events that must occur for a fire to start. Other events may include: Failure of thermostat and limit switches in the dryer, lint inside the dryer, a missing or damaged lint screen.
The risk of dryer vent fires can be limited by ensuring that the dryer vent length (including allowances for elbows, transitions and outdoor hood assemblies) does not exceed the dryer manufacturer’s recommendations. If it does, it may be necessary to install a dryer vent system booster fan. Regular inspection and cleaning of dryer lint scree, and the dryer duct and outdoor hood bird screen will also prevent lint build up and will keep the dryer running as effectively and efficiently as possible.
It is possible to detect dryer vent problems before they become fire hazards. Increased clothes drying times and frequent clothes dryer deactivation during duty cycles (due to the tripping of the high temperature limit switch), heat and humidity build-up in the area around the dryer are the key indicators of dryer venting problems.
