Tucked away in your laundry room is an important, yet often-overlooked aspect of the residential ventilation system: the dryer vent. While you might not have added this to your HVAC checklist, cleaning it out is essential to the safety of your home and family. To learn more about how this vent works and why it requires regular cleaning, consult the following guide.

How Does a Dryer Vent Work?

When you start drying a load, your dryer takes in some of your indoor air, which heats up to evaporate the moisture in your clothes. Once the load is dry, the warm air is released through the dryer vent—a thick, insulated tube that runs from the back of your appliance through the exterior wall to the outdoor air.

Why Does It Need to Be Cleaned?

You’re probably accustomed to cleaning out that filter in the front of your dryer after each load. While this is an essential step of dryer maintenance, it doesn’t take care of all the debris floating around in your appliance. Tiny particles of lint will move onto the dryer vent with each load, and over months of regular use, the debris can form a blockage. 

As a result, the hot air from your dryer can’t leave through the vent, and it gets trapped in between. Eventually, it may get so hot that the lint starts to catch on fire, and the flames spread to your house. Or, the blockage could prevent carbon monoxide from escaping your dryer, allowing it to back up into your living space. This gas is toxic when inhaled, and can result in death. 

Even if these worst-case scenarios don’t arise, a blocked dryer vent will cause your appliance and the HVAC tube to deteriorate faster, so you’ll end up with wet clothes, higher energy bills, and the need for a dryer replacement.

If you want to have your dryer vent emptied out by a professional, turn to Duncklee Cooling & Heating of Stonington, CT. They have over 40 years of experience serving clients throughout Connecticut’s New London County and Rhode Island’s Washington County. Whether you need a new heat pump, furnace repair, or HVAC maintenance services, call (860) 535-2552 to schedule an appointment. Visit their website to learn more about their services.