Dryer Vent Hose

[launderess]

Have read/heard for ages that vinyl was not a good choice for dryer vent hoses. One was supposed to use either rigid or semi-rigid. Aluminum foil is "ok" but not really recommended either.

So why does one see mostly vinyl dryer vent hoses for Europe? Or maybe am missing something?

 

[thomasortega]

2 main reasons:

1) In Europe, the average consumer has different laundry habits. Here in the USA we dry everything in the dryer, not to mention people that use the dryer for pseudo dry cleaning (Dryel) and also those that use the dryer to refresh clothes. The dryers are also bigger (consequently more powerful or longer drying times) While in Europe most people dry smaller loads or they just finish drying. dryers are usually smaller and less powerful or used much less than American ones.

2) I'd never use a vinyl hose for a gas dryer because, eventually, the exhaust air can be MUCH hotter and the vinyl hose as a much lower tolerance to lint buildup, which means (if lucky) hearing that female voice saying "May I have your attention please. A fire alarm has been reported, please evacuate the building immediately".

 

[DADoES]

 
I use vinyl or (now) foil flexible/spring ducting between dryer and wall because nothing else works in my situation ... but it's a very short piece and compressed as much as possible.

 

[lorainfurniture]

In Europe people don’t use the dryer that much.

Foil slinky vent is great if it’s just a short run. Rigid aluminum is the standard and hard pipe for the over achievers.

 

[thomasortega]

Other great alternative is a periscope if the space isn't generous.

HOWEVER

The periscope must be cleaned at least twice a year.

 

[launderess]

Periscope

Had one once for about a few months; darned thing leaked lint laden air like a sieve. Couldn't understand why area in back of dryer and or area surrounding was covered in layers of lint dust.

Took off and rubbished the thing, going back to venting with hose. In the end using the periscope didn't make that much of a difference in how close dryer could be pushed back, which was main reason for purchasing. Now that have the AEG Lavatherm on top of the Whirlpool has to be room back there anyway to ensure proper air flow.

 

[wayupnorth]

My Maytag electric 410 dryer is only used sparengly in the winter other than a clothesline and drying rack in the real cold weather. I do not vent the dryer outside permanently. I have a board to fit in the window next to it to seal the metal hose to go outside. Dryer off, window closed. I had an instance at my old house, forgetting to hit the start button until the next morning and bang, bang the whole load was froze because of the freezing cold coming thru that outside vent.

 

[launderess]

*LOL*

Bit of same thing!

Had a bit of wood cut to fit window with a hole made for vent. When not in use the whole thing can be removed and get back use of window.

During colder times of year once dryer goes into "cool down", things get rather chilly inside drum fast from cold outside air.

 

[logixx]

I suppose European dryers don't get as hot as the US ones (around 120 to 140F, I guess) so plastic is fine. Besides, most people I know just hang the hose out of a window when using the dryer. I would also guess that the whole "venting/ductwork thing" is as popular, at least in Germany, simply because we don't have a need to run vents through our homes - no HVAC systems - and our houses don't lend themselves to running ducts through them in the first place, with the walls being solid stone. Even knocking a hole in the wall to vent your range hood requires some serious power tools.

 

[DADoES]

 
I can reach through the exhaust hood outside and touch the dryer's blower wheel.

The dryer must be set at an angle to the wall because the outlet is too far toward the corner which obstructs the ducting as per Pic 2.

 

[henene4]

Yeah, the longest home vent runs I've seen here are 9ft for dryers which was up the back of the dryer and across a bathtub to a window.

Heared somewhere that in the EU vented dryers can't get much hotter then 140F due to some weired safety requirement, but that could be entirely wrong.

Oh, and since heatpump dryers are just about the same price as vented ones now, their popularity plumited.

 

[deltablu]

The other problem with vinyl

is the surface static that is generated by having airflow through it causing lint to stick even worse than it does in other types of vent. Also why rigid PVC is not recommended for dryer venting as well.

 

[logixx]

Two ways of cleaning Miele washers that don't have a self-clean cycle by me and Andrew.