Shortest Route To Outside Best For Venting Dryer
Q. What is the recommendation for venting clothes dryers? I know it’s important to exhaust the moisture from the home, but I wonder if I can use a long exhaust pipe. My dryer is quite a distance from an outside wall.
A. You’ve tackled the most important part of the clothes dryer installation - the exhaust system. All dryers, gas and electric, should vent to the outside.
The general rule of thumb is to use as short and straight a section of smooth metal ducting as possible. (Flexible vinyl ducting, not smooth metal, is commonly used. It is less preferrable because of the rough interior surface.) The ducting is typically four inches in diameter. Most clothes-dryer manufacturers recommend a duct run of no more than eight feet. Consider relocating the dryer next to an outside wall. The Uniform Mechancial Code offers the following specific guidelines:
Ducts should not be put together with fasteners which protrude into the duct as they might accumulate lint.
Flex duct is rough on the inside and can trap lint. It can also be crushed if the dryer is moved. The code allows flexible duct if the length is no longer than six feet and not enclosed in part of the building, such as a wall, ceiling or underfloor.
Total duct length for your dryer exhaust should be no more than 14 feet, including two 90-degree bends.
Ducts should terminate outside the house with a backdraft damper or vent hood that blocks air infiltration. Vent hoods seal tightly when the dryer is not operating.
Dryers are one of the bigger energy users in the home. Installing a good exhaust system will help it run efficiently and keep it safe. If you’re in the market for a new dryer, look for models with an automatic shut-off. It senses dryness and will shut off the dryer when the clothes are done.
Don’t overdry clothes. Take them out while they’re still slightly damp and hang them. Remember to clean the dryer filter after each use. In good weather, string up your clothes and put your solar dryer to work.
For a free consumer information guide on operating your appliances efficiently, contact our Energy Hotline at (800) 962-9731 or 324-7980.
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