I am planning to outside vent a Kenmore compact dryer. I was wondering what is the maximum vent length and how many 90 degree angles it can take before you would need fan assist. Thanks in advance.
Dryer Exaust Venting.
- Thread starter Ultramatic
- Start date
Help Support :
I am planning to outside vent a Kenmore compact dryer. I was wondering what is the maximum vent length and how many 90 degree angles it can take before you would need fan assist. Thanks in advance.
Vent System For a Compact 24" WP Dryer
Hi Louis, How do you intend to vent this dryer in your home ?
Are you using a permanent system installed in the walls ?
Are you using a flexible vent hose running to a window plate that will remain easily assessable ?
On a 120 volt dryer like this you could run 30-50 feet of flexible hose if it could be cleaned out easily, if in walls use WPs guide lines for a current 24" 120 volt Thin Twin.
John L.
Hi Louis, How do you intend to vent this dryer in your home ?
Are you using a permanent system installed in the walls ?
Are you using a flexible vent hose running to a window plate that will remain easily assessable ?
On a 120 volt dryer like this you could run 30-50 feet of flexible hose if it could be cleaned out easily, if in walls use WPs guide lines for a current 24" 120 volt Thin Twin.
John L.
Or you could always use one of those indoor vent systems that’s basically a container of water that the dryer vent hose blows into. They’re not totally effective, but an easy fix if you don’t mind a little bit of lint floating around...
Those Indoor Vent Systems
Are not a very good solution IMHO.
Tried it once when moved into first apartment with no easy way to vent compact dryer. After about a few months moved dryer closer to window and jigged up a vent. Never again and rubbished the contraption.
Water at bottom of container doesn't remotely catch all lint. Thus one had better get used to dusting, as a fine layer of lint will cover everything in area.
Then of course there is the moisture being exhausted indoors, that and "fumes" if you will coming off whatever is being dried. If you used fabric softener, highly scented laundry products and or dryer sheets.....
Some have attempted to solve the lint issue by making a filter out of a pair of nylons stretched over container. For the square shaped things suppose one could try making filters cut out from HEPA or other filter medium.
Are not a very good solution IMHO.
Tried it once when moved into first apartment with no easy way to vent compact dryer. After about a few months moved dryer closer to window and jigged up a vent. Never again and rubbished the contraption.
Water at bottom of container doesn't remotely catch all lint. Thus one had better get used to dusting, as a fine layer of lint will cover everything in area.
Then of course there is the moisture being exhausted indoors, that and "fumes" if you will coming off whatever is being dried. If you used fabric softener, highly scented laundry products and or dryer sheets.....
Some have attempted to solve the lint issue by making a filter out of a pair of nylons stretched over container. For the square shaped things suppose one could try making filters cut out from HEPA or other filter medium.
Louie
I had one of the Whirlpool compact dryers like this in from ‘73 to ‘81. When I lived in apartments I kept the dryer in the kitchen near the window and just connected a flex vent tube to the back and left it behind the dryer when not in use. When I was drying clothes I just opened the window a crack and placed the vent tube in the crack and closed the window a little to hold the vent tube in place. This worked just fine. I don’t know what your set up is like but if you can keep the dryer near a window this should work for you too. BTW, that little dryer did a very good job for only being connected to 120V current.
Eddie
I had one of the Whirlpool compact dryers like this in from ‘73 to ‘81. When I lived in apartments I kept the dryer in the kitchen near the window and just connected a flex vent tube to the back and left it behind the dryer when not in use. When I was drying clothes I just opened the window a crack and placed the vent tube in the crack and closed the window a little to hold the vent tube in place. This worked just fine. I don’t know what your set up is like but if you can keep the dryer near a window this should work for you too. BTW, that little dryer did a very good job for only being connected to 120V current.
Eddie
Did same early on, but unless vent hose was dropped really low out of window the back draft blew in lint.
Finally got around to building a window vent thingy and that was that. You can find them ready made on Amazon and elsewhere, but often are expensive for what they are.... https://www.amazon.com/Window-Vent-Adjusts-Through-Works/dp/B01M17V4CO
When you consider how many of these compact/portable Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers were sold, the original window vent kit is rarely found. Part number is listed on a sticker on my dryer, and have searched for years but nothing ever comes up.
Finally got around to building a window vent thingy and that was that. You can find them ready made on Amazon and elsewhere, but often are expensive for what they are.... https://www.amazon.com/Window-Vent-Adjusts-Through-Works/dp/B01M17V4CO
When you consider how many of these compact/portable Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers were sold, the original window vent kit is rarely found. Part number is listed on a sticker on my dryer, and have searched for years but nothing ever comes up.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
I had a screen on my kitchen window and it filtered the lint.
Eddie
Eddie
I have vented my Maytag 410 thru the window beside it for 25 years. I have a board that fits around the dryer hose with the vent. So in the middle of the winter all you see is vapor outside. A permanent vent here for a dryer lets all the cold air in it. Last direct vent I used froze the load in the dryer because it was forgotten to be turned on. Yes, its a pain to use a vent like that but I proved to myself at least, it keeps the cold out by shutting the window after the cycle is over.
Rather like that cool/cold air blowing in via vent hose
Makes for a nice deep "cool down" care of things being dried. *LOL*
That being said, yes it is sort of amazing how much cold air will blow down those dryer hoses if vented to outside. But then again it is nothing more than a draft same a chimney.
When first jigged up my window vent just had hose open ended. Slapped a dryer hose vent cover on a few years ago which cuts down on draft coming in once dryer shuts off.
Makes for a nice deep "cool down" care of things being dried. *LOL*
That being said, yes it is sort of amazing how much cold air will blow down those dryer hoses if vented to outside. But then again it is nothing more than a draft same a chimney.
When first jigged up my window vent just had hose open ended. Slapped a dryer hose vent cover on a few years ago which cuts down on draft coming in once dryer shuts off.
Another thing
That cool air coming in from dryer vent is the opposite side of argument many have made against vented dryers; that supposedly heated (or cooled) air from indoors is sucked out of a building...
Well I say to that there are entire portions of year that have neither heat nor air conditioner on, just windows open or closed with maybe a fang going. Thus using a vented dryer isn't causing any huge shift in energy use other than what is required to run machine itself.
If or when we finally get cooler weather will start using the Lavatherm condenser dryer. Not out of any particular affection but more because the thing is sitting there haunting me...
There is of course fact that during colder times of year a vented dryer reveals its existence. That stream of white steam wafting out a window or whatever is a dead giveaway. For those living where such appliances are restricted this can pose an issue... *LOL*
All this being said have turned a few onto these compact Whirlpool vented dryers. A few had condenser or even new heat pump units and were blown away at how much faster the WP (or Sears) got loads dry. This especially if spun out at or above 1200 rpms.
That cool air coming in from dryer vent is the opposite side of argument many have made against vented dryers; that supposedly heated (or cooled) air from indoors is sucked out of a building...
Well I say to that there are entire portions of year that have neither heat nor air conditioner on, just windows open or closed with maybe a fang going. Thus using a vented dryer isn't causing any huge shift in energy use other than what is required to run machine itself.
If or when we finally get cooler weather will start using the Lavatherm condenser dryer. Not out of any particular affection but more because the thing is sitting there haunting me...
There is of course fact that during colder times of year a vented dryer reveals its existence. That stream of white steam wafting out a window or whatever is a dead giveaway. For those living where such appliances are restricted this can pose an issue... *LOL*
All this being said have turned a few onto these compact Whirlpool vented dryers. A few had condenser or even new heat pump units and were blown away at how much faster the WP (or Sears) got loads dry. This especially if spun out at or above 1200 rpms.
I will keep venting my dryer outside and shut the window when I am done when not using my clothesline in warmer weather. Because I dont want excessive moisture fogging up all the windows and in the middle of the winter its TOO cold to leave a window open or vent inside until the buzzer goes off. Dont ever vent a gas dryer inside or a CO2 detector, if you have one, will go off hopefully saving you.
Good point about gas dryers
Even though this thread was stared about and spoke mostly of electric dyers, it is important to keep it out there that gas dryers NEVER should be vented indoors.
Even though this thread was stared about and spoke mostly of electric dyers, it is important to keep it out there that gas dryers NEVER should be vented indoors.
My gas dryer is not vented, never an issue with CO2 or lint. I actually have 2 CO2 detectors within 6' of the dryer and neither has registered anything. One has a digital readout and it does not show any change. Actually if I have 2 or 3 burners on my gas cooktop running it would generate more CO2 than the dryer.
Outside Air Backing Up Into Dryer Vents
Dryer vents have dampers and if properly installed and maintained almost no air comes back in to the house.
In my house I have 9 dryer and kitchen and bathroom vents ducted to the outside and in spite of the house often being in a negative air pressure condition I have no noticeable air backing into the house at any of these 9 locations.
The house in W Va. has 5 dryer and bathroom and kitchen vents ducted outdoors and again even with the fireplace roaring along there is no noticeable back draft at all in any location.
I like the magnetic dryer vents because they close tightly and do not even flap in windy conditions, most of the range vents have spring loaded dampers and again they work great.
The worst thing about not venting a dryer outdoors is the very fine lint that gets in the air and into your lungs, Cotton dust is carcinogen so I make every effort to get it out of the house. The amount of CO2 from a gas dryer is negligible, it is about 1/10 of what a range produces and how many people use a gas range or cook-top with turning on a exhaust fan or even have a kitchen vented outdoors.
I still like venting all dryers, but the limited exposure to CO2 does not do any percent harm to humans like the fine dust from dryers and vacuum cleaners does to your lungs.
John
Dryer vents have dampers and if properly installed and maintained almost no air comes back in to the house.
In my house I have 9 dryer and kitchen and bathroom vents ducted to the outside and in spite of the house often being in a negative air pressure condition I have no noticeable air backing into the house at any of these 9 locations.
The house in W Va. has 5 dryer and bathroom and kitchen vents ducted outdoors and again even with the fireplace roaring along there is no noticeable back draft at all in any location.
I like the magnetic dryer vents because they close tightly and do not even flap in windy conditions, most of the range vents have spring loaded dampers and again they work great.
The worst thing about not venting a dryer outdoors is the very fine lint that gets in the air and into your lungs, Cotton dust is carcinogen so I make every effort to get it out of the house. The amount of CO2 from a gas dryer is negligible, it is about 1/10 of what a range produces and how many people use a gas range or cook-top with turning on a exhaust fan or even have a kitchen vented outdoors.
I still like venting all dryers, but the limited exposure to CO2 does not do any percent harm to humans like the fine dust from dryers and vacuum cleaners does to your lungs.
John
Thanks John!
And thanks everyone for the advise.
The dryer will be vented directly outside via a never used window. Total length of vent will be about 9 feet, with five 90 degree bends. I think using rigid vent piping would be better than the corrugated pipe as it would catch less lint and dust. At the end there will be a vent flap of course. I can seal all the seams with duct tape. As for cleaning, I guess one of those 4 inch brushes could be used. Since the piping will be exposed it can also be easily dissembled for cleaning. Currently the dryer is using this:
Which is a nuisance.
Again, thanks for the suggestions. I'll be posting images of the completed install.
And thanks everyone for the advise.
The dryer will be vented directly outside via a never used window. Total length of vent will be about 9 feet, with five 90 degree bends. I think using rigid vent piping would be better than the corrugated pipe as it would catch less lint and dust. At the end there will be a vent flap of course. I can seal all the seams with duct tape. As for cleaning, I guess one of those 4 inch brushes could be used. Since the piping will be exposed it can also be easily dissembled for cleaning. Currently the dryer is using this:
Which is a nuisance.
Again, thanks for the suggestions. I'll be posting images of the completed install.
That's a lotta 90° turns. Each turn has the effect of 5' additional length.
Don't vent a gas dryer into your house: critical points.
The most dangerous byproduct of natural gas (methane) combustion is carbon monoxide (CO) rather than carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2, a byproduct of mammalian respiration (breathing) is exhaled and heavier than air, in beer and soda. Carbon monoxide, on the other hand, displaces oxygen in hemoglobin and is toxic. Many people have died from this. This is a critical point. With natural gas appliances one should always have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
Also, cotton dust does not cause cancer. Non-biodegradable particulates such as silica (silicosis) and asbestos (asbestosis) are linked to malignancy formation such as mesothelioma. Cotton dust can be an irritant, yes, but your body can deal with cotton dust. .
I deeply respect the knowlege offered by this website, but sometimes misinformation can be misleading and downright dangerous. Bottom line, don't vent a gas drier into your house.
The most dangerous byproduct of natural gas (methane) combustion is carbon monoxide (CO) rather than carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2, a byproduct of mammalian respiration (breathing) is exhaled and heavier than air, in beer and soda. Carbon monoxide, on the other hand, displaces oxygen in hemoglobin and is toxic. Many people have died from this. This is a critical point. With natural gas appliances one should always have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
Also, cotton dust does not cause cancer. Non-biodegradable particulates such as silica (silicosis) and asbestos (asbestosis) are linked to malignancy formation such as mesothelioma. Cotton dust can be an irritant, yes, but your body can deal with cotton dust. .
I deeply respect the knowlege offered by this website, but sometimes misinformation can be misleading and downright dangerous. Bottom line, don't vent a gas drier into your house.
kenmoreguy89
Well-known member
Cold air in
In my old apartment I made a hole in the wall and installed a vent with a basic alluminum hood equipped with flapper that costed $8.
I can't say I ever had any problems of cold air coming in...
In my old apartment I made a hole in the wall and installed a vent with a basic alluminum hood equipped with flapper that costed $8.
I can't say I ever had any problems of cold air coming in...
