Homeowners Can Reduce Energy Bills and Prevent Fires with Annual Dryer Vent Cleaning
Homeowners who think it is normal for their dryer to take more than one cycle to dry clothes may want to think again. More often than not, the culprit is an accumulation of lint in the dryer vent that ultimately costs homeowners hundreds of dollars in increased energy costs.
“I’ve found a huge lack of awareness among homeowners who think it is normal for their clothes dryer to take two to three cycles to dry one load of clothing,” said Paul Barron, owner of Dryer Vent Doctor. “In reality, they are wasting money on higher electric bills or a new dryer when all they need is a dryer vent cleaning.”
Clothes dryers work by forcing hot air through a turning drum. As lint builds up in the dryer vent, air flow is restricted and heat and moisture cannot escape. This results in higher costs of operating the dryer, increases electric bills, and could result in a costly and dangerous dryer fire.
In fact, according to a recent report by the U.S. Fire Administration, dryer fires account for more than 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually, with most of these fires occurring in residential buildings. Failure to clean was cited as the leading factor contributing to these fires, the report states.
Signs of a clogged dryer vent include:- Clothes, especially jeans and towels, taking more than one cycle to dry
- Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the cycle
- Dryer repeatedly shuts off before the end of the drying cycle
- The flapper on the outside vent hood doesn’t move when the dryer is on
- The vent has not been cleaned within the last year or two
“Much of what I do involves educating homeowners about dryer fire prevention,” Barron said. “Most people are not aware of the need for annual cleaning to avoid this hidden fire danger.”
Barron provides the following tips to decrease the risk of a dryer vent fire and conserve energy:- Clean the lint filter regularly – Clean the filter after each load of clothes and clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up.
- Make sure the dryer is operating properly – While the dryer is operating, check the outside exhaust to make sure exhaust air is escaping normally.
- Replace plastic, foil and accordion-type ducts – Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.
- Have your dryer vents professional cleaned – Even if all of the other tips are followed, most families should have their dryer vents cleaned professionally on an annual basis. When selecting a dryer vent cleaning company, make sure technicians use the correct equipment, including a vacuum and a high pressured snake-like instrument to thoroughly clear the lint from vents.
Dryer Vent Doctor offers also free dryer vent inspections. In addition, homeowners can print a coupon for $30 off dryer vent cleaning on the Dryer Vent Doctor Web site: http://www.dryerventdoctor.net. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Dryer Vent Doctor at 623-825-7170.
Last edited on Tue May 19th, 2009 06:38 pm by hyacinthcommunications
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