What A Difference A Dryer Venting Makes

[launderess]

Had a minor mouse problem awhile ago and while cleaning up after sending the little bastards to their demise, decided to replace the foil dryer venting. So stopped by Homeless Depot on the way back from the hairdressers last week and picked up a semi-ridgid metal vent kit. What a difference!

Though it is harder to move into place, nor does it collapse easily so the dryer must remain further from the wall when not in use, drying times are much faster. One can really feel a strong push of air out of the hose as opposed to the former foil variety. This might explain why even in a Manhattan store, where one thought dryers aren't so common nabbed the last semi-hard metal dryer vent kit on the shelf, while there was heaps of the foil kits lying about, including those god-awful indoor venting systems.

L.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Mine is the foil-type. Not impressed or annoyed with it

Found a good old-fashoned hardware store in central Conecticut that had VINYL hoses. YAY!

Since I don't use dryer sheets it would work for me!

 

[parunner58]

When we replaced our gas dryer with the GE Profile one we had moved the vent to go through the wall instead of the window so we changed to the foil tube also. We did not find that the drying times increase. A load is dried way before the next load is done washing. That is using the automatic cycle and medium heat.

Togges what was that door to the left of the dryer for?
Mike

 

[toggleswitch2]

Post# 367520-7/27/2009-12:21 ||| polkanut (Wausau, WI )

Is the drop-down door a garbage chute to a long-gone incinerator?


Post# 367523-7/27/2009-12:36 ||| Toggleswitch2 (NYC & LI, New Yotk)

Yes 'tis!

Four apartments share one; 1st and 2nd floor units with two more back-to-back (also two stories [storys=> UK])


Mikey: The message I got was that drying times sped up for Lady L with the newer semi-rigid vent hose in that her prior type (foil)was partially crushed, therby obstructing reducing the normal 4 inch (102mm) size to something less.

Great to see you posting sir!

 

[launderess]

No,

Foil wasn't crushed, only meant that because it is more flexible one could push the dryer close against the wall when not in use. Obviously the semi-ridgid stuff won't give as much, especially where it is attached to the opening of the dryer.Oh it will make an "elbow" curve, but still..

From what one has read on the matter, foil and the white type of dryer vent hoses are not smooth inside, which can lead to lint build up which slows down air flow. This reduced air flow makes one's dryer work harder. In addition the little nooks and crannies build up with lint which can catch fire.

L.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Correct as compared to rigid and smooth tubing.

The semi-rigid is extremely full of nooks and crannies, is it not?

http://frigidaire.stores.yahoo.net/8sedrve.html

 

[toggleswitch2]

Just open the link, and HUSH-UP, Y'ALL!

semi-rigid

http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?PartID=1567&PPStack=1

 

[yogitunes]

I use galvanized elbows where needed and 2 foot sections of galvanized 4 inch pipe for a smooth interior along the whole line, and use foil tape made for duct work that resist moisture compared to real duct tape for the seams....also the outside vent is flat with 3 louvers that open fully when in use, these louvers come out easily to clean with a vent brush with out taking the whole line apart, clean about every 2 months with the dryer running, a little more money but I don't have to worry about crushing the line or build up in the nooks and crannies....I also have 2 dryers going into one vent pipe with a "T", which I have increased to 6" pipes....

 

[mayguy]

Yogi

Do you have a back draft damper on your T?

I lived in apt, and my dryer and neighbors dryer shared the same vent, and always had back draft.

I'd undo my dryer when I was not using it just had hers hooked up all the time.

When I did my load, I undid her's and hooked mine up. That kept the basement dryer!

I hate the flex pipes, I've seen one too many too filled up with lint since a lot of home owners don't stay on top of stuff like some of us. Also, From what I understand, they don't allow the flex stuff if you are selling your home.

 

[mattl]

Yes, for any permanent installation I always use galvanized exhaust pipe. Ages ago used aluminum and it bent too easily if bumped and pulled apart. I have a fairly long run so the rigid vent works great.

 

[sudsmaster]

The semi-rigid pipe isn't bad, really.

I have to use it for about 2' of connection between a short length of rigid pipe and the rest of the vent (also rigid). That's because it's a set of complex curves in a small space that rigid elbows just can't do. Believe me, I've tried. I haven't found a buildup of lint in that part of the connection, perhaps because it's close to the dryer and mostly downward flowing.

In the past I found quite a blockage in the rest of the rigid vent, which is about 12'long. It was probably there when I bought the house. I noticed my WCI gas dryer was taking a long time to dry things. Finally I replaced it with the dryer from the 7500 Neptune set. One of the first things that dryer did, with its much more powerful blower, was to blow a big clot of lint out the end of the vent. After that I've checked the venting regularly and brushed it out, of course. Not much collects, although I have read it's a good idea to insulate the exhaust vent if it runs for any length in an unheated space in the winter - which is exactly what this vent pipe does. The reason is that moisture from the dryer can condense on the cooler walls of the exhaust vent pipe - even a rigid one - and cause lint to stick to that and build up.

 

[kenmoreforever]

I would assume that the same principles of air resistance in air conditioning ducts applies as well to dryer vents.