Most people have good intentions when it comes to having regular maintenance done on their appliances. The clothes dryer is often neglected as people are not aware of the problems that can be lurking here. It is important that your dryer exhaust and vent system be up to code.

Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is the trusted source across the US for product compliance. The UL rating will be printed somewhere on all your appliances or in the owner’s manual. If your appliance is a newer model, it will most likely be UL approved, but that doesn’t mean the dryer vent system meets their approval. Most people do not think to install new dryer ducts when the get a new dryer. An old dryer exhaust system may not be UL compliant today.

Vent Tube Length

How long is the duct that leads from the back of your clothes dryer to the vent outside? The longer it is, the harder your dryer works to carry hot, moist air and lint from your home. A longer vent also increases the chance of lint sticking to the sides instead of making its way out through the vent. As the lint accumulates, air flow is restricted; lint clogged vents are a fire hazard and they reduce the efficiency of your clothes dryer, increasing your energy bills.

Bends and Elbows

What does the route of your dryer vent tube look like? Does it make several turns before getting to the vent outside? These turns also restrict air flow and increase the chance of lint being caught up within the exhaust system. This reduces the performance of your clothes dryer, increases drying time, uses more energy and can be a fire hazard.

Duct Material

It has been discovered that screws and fasteners holding sections of dryer ducts together can cause problems. Lint catches on the protruding screws and builds up to form a clog and restrict air flow. Sections should be fastened so that there are no protrusions on the inside of the ducts.

The pieces and parts that make up the exhaust system for your clothes dryer are very important aspects of the entire system that gets your clothes dry at the end of the day. If you don’t know what makes up the rest of the system, it’s time to find out, or call in a professional to inspect and evaluate your dryer vent system.

How often do you have your appliances professionally inspected for safety? Most people have the furnace checked every year, but how often do you have your clothes dryer inspected? Sadly, most people never even think about this unless they have experienced a dryer fire. Like furnaces, clothes dryers also must be properly maintained. The dryer exhaust system should be inspected to be sure it is up to code.

Underwriters Laboratories

First, you need to know the rating of the products you are using. The UL rating should be printed somewhere on the information about the parts that make up your dryer vent system. While most of the more recent clothes dryers that have been installed are UL approved, there are many people using clothes dryers that have been in place for many years, or they have just changed out the dryer, but not the vent system. That means it’s time to pull your dryer out, or have a professional do it for you, and make sure the parts of the vent system are up to the newer standards.

Shortest Distance

Just like so many other things in life, the shortest distance to the destination is the best plan of action for your clothes dryer. The vent system has to carry hot air and lint out of your home and the more piping it has to work through the harder it has to work. Additionally, the more line there is to make it through the more chance that lint will get caught up in the line and start to clog up the pipes which can cause a fire hazard and reduce the efficiency of your dryer.

Twists and Turns

What does the route of your dryer vent tube look like? Does it make several turns before getting to the vent outside? These turns also restrict air flow and increase the chance of lint being caught up within the exhaust system. This reduces the performance of your clothes dryer, increases drying time, uses more energy and can be a fire hazard.

Rough Inside

Is your dryer exhaust tube smooth on the inside or are there screws for the lint to get caught on? The pipe should be smooth to allow easy air flow and less chance of lint getting caught and clogging the system. A newer vent system will be pieced together so that there are no screws protruding to the inside.

The pieces and parts that make up the exhaust system for your clothes dryer are very important aspects of the entire system that gets your clothes dry at the end of the day. If you don’t know what makes up the rest of the system, it’s time to find out, or call in a professional to inspect and evaluate your dryer vent system.