Why Dryer Exhaust Cleaning Is Necessary

Sometimes, we forget how lucky we are to live with modern technology to help with everyday tasks. One of the appliances we most often take for granted is the dryer. Instead of hanging our clothes on an outdoor line for a day, we throw them in a magic machine and – poof! – half an hour later, our clothes are dry! But don’t forget, your dryer takes regular maintenance to maintain its efficiency. Here are a few reasons dryer exhaust cleaning is necessary.

Cleaning Improves Dryer Efficiency

Keeping your dryer clean helps to improve its efficiency. Lint, dust, hairs, and other debris may start to block the exit where hot, moist air needs to escape from the home. If this exit is blocked, it may start to take longer and longer to dry the clothing. This will force you to use more electricity, driving up your electric bill. An efficient dryer also lasts longer, saving you money in the long run. 

Prevents Fires

Dryer lint is a highly flammable substance. Some people will even take clumps of dryer lint camping to use as a fire starter! Because of this, a build-up of lint may eventually cause a fire in the home. The more lint there is in the dryer vent, the more likely it is it may catch on fire, especially because the residual hot air has nowhere to go, increasing the temperature of the dryer vent area. Cleaning out the lint will not only remove the flammable material, but it will also open up airway circulation to prevent the dryer and the vents from getting too hot. 

Dryer Condition

As lint clogs the dryer duct, your dryer will have to work extra hard to do the same job drying clothing. This extra strain as it attempts to function with a backed-up vent can be harmful to the dryer itself. The extra heat that has nowhere to go can damage internal components, and the dryer is running longer to do the same job, wearing out the mechanical pieces more quickly than normal. If the dryer wears out quicker, the homeowner is left footing the bill for repairs to the dryer, or for purchasing a new dryer sooner than expected. 

Signs Your Dryer Exhaust Needs to be Cleaned 

Many people know that the lint trap – a screen located somewhere on the dryer itself – needs to be cleaned before each use. However, there is an additional vent behind the dryer where hot air, lint, and debris escape during the drying cycle. These vents need to be cleaned on a regular basis to minimize fire hazards and ensure the dryer is working at full capacity. But how can the homeowner tell when the dryer exhaust or dryer vents need to be cleaned? Here are a few telltale signs it is time to have your dryer exhaust cleaned. 

The Dryer Is Taking Longer

If the dryer vent is blocked with excessive lint and debris, hot, moist air in the dryer drum has nowhere to go. This will cause the dryer to take longer to do the same amount of work. You may find that you open the dryer at the end of the cycle and your clothes are still wet, causing you to have to run the dryer for another cycle.   

Clothing Comes Out Too Hot To Touch

We all know the warm fresh-from-the-dryer feeling clothes have when they are done in the dryer, but if your clothing is too hot to touch when the dryer cycle is done, it means hot air cannot escape the dryer drum. This will not only cause clothes to overheat, which damages your clothing, but will also damage the dryer itself. 

There Is A Burning Smell

This is a big one – lint is very flammable, which can be dangerous to homeowners if it builds up in the lint trap or the dryer vent. Many home fires are caused by dryers overheating and excess lint catching fire. If you smell burning when you run your dryer, make cleaning the lint trap and dryer vents a priority. 

You Don’t Know The Last Time You Had The Dryer Vents Cleaned

Having your dryer vents cleaned is one of those regular household tasks that should be on your annual or semi-annual to-do list. If you don’t know the last time you had a professional dryer vent cleaning company, come to maintain your duct work, it’s time to schedule an appointment. 

Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned – Reach out to AirProHawaii!

Lint is a common by-product of drying clothes in an electric dryer. However, you don’t have to let it become a problem or a hazard. The best preventative maintenance is to have your dryer vents cleaned by a professional vent cleaning company on a regular basis. Contact the team at Airpro Indoor Air Solutions to schedule your vent cleaning today.