A Reminder to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Clothes dryers offer a fast and convenient way to dry recently washed garments and linens. Rather than hanging them on a line for up to three hours, you can toss them into a clothes dryer for 10 to 20 minutes. When using a clothes dryer, though, you need to ensure the vent is clean. Aside from leaving your clothes wet or damp, a clogged dryer vent can lead to other problems.

Why Clothes Dryers Have a Vent

Clothes dryers use a vent to remove moisture and, therefore, dry your clothes. After being washed, clothes contain a substantial amount of water. Dryers don’t have a pan or container in which to collect this water. Rather, they rely on a vent to expel the humid air.

If you look at the back of your clothes dryer, you’ll see it’s connected to a duct. The duct should run from your clothes dryer to the wall where it extends all the way outside. During use, your clothes dryer will expel the humid air through this duct so that it’s able to exit your home.

How a Clogged Dryer Vent Affects AC Performance

You might be surprised to learn that a clogged dryer vent can affect the performance of your AC system. Clothes dryers work by producing hot air via a heating element. The hot air causes moisture within your clothes to evaporate, at which point the newly humidified air can be expelled out the vent. If your dryer vent is clogged, though, the hot and humid air will remain trapped inside.

A clogged dryer vent won’t necessarily prevent your AC system from working, but it may lower its performance. The air inside your home will be both warmer and more humid. As a result, your AC system will have to run for a longer period.

Fire Hazard

Of course, a clogged dryer vent is a serious fire hazard. Dryer vents usually clog with lint, which is highly flammable. At the hot air pushes against the lint, it may cause it to ignite. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), approximately 2,900 dryer fires occur each year in the United States, many of which are caused by a clogged vent.

You can clean your dryer vent to ensure that the hot and humid air can escape your home. Cleaning involves flushing out the lint and debris inside the ductwork. Once clean, air will flow more easily from your dryer to the outside of your home.