Dryer Vent Cleaning - Do you Know what is Lurking in your Dryer Vent?

Dryer Vent Cleaning -- Out of sight, out of mind; the dryer vent is often overlooked when performing seasonal maintenance around the house. Failure to maintain the dryer duct system will result in higher energy bills and could lead to a dryer fire. Approximately 40 percent of the lint that is removed from your laundry escapes the lint screen and ends up trapped where it doesn’t belong; around the dryer drum, on the motor and in your dryer ducts.

Safety Standards for Dryer Vents

Many people are still using flexible foil, plastic or vinyl venting, which is no longer up to code. Manufacturers recommend using solid metal for a safer, more efficient dryer vent system.

Bends and turns slow down the flow of dryer exhaust; longer lengths of duct cause moisture to condense, trapping and allowing lint to build up. All of these issues make your dryer work harder; therefore, use more energy.

When sections are joined with screws that protrude to the inside of the dryer duct, they catch lint and cause exhaust leaks. If you have a gas dryer, this could cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Leaks in the system also add to the humidity and cause mold and mildew growth. Mold spores are allowed into your home to cause upper respiratory problems for residents.

Manufacturers recommend a professional dryer vent cleaning annually to keep clothes dryers running safely and efficiently. A specialized technician will do a thorough inspection to be sure your system meets current safety codes and is properly installed for optimum air-flow.





Don Brusseau, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Connecticut, is a CSIA certified dryer exhaust technician who specializes in dryer vent cleaning and dryer exhaust issues. Don enjoys building relationships with customers and educating them on the efficient use and maintenance of their dryer exhaust system.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Connecticut provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in New London, Middlesex and New Haven Counties, New London, Groton, Niantic, Mystic, Waterford, Norwich, Stonington, Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Essex, Montville, Pawcatuck, New Haven, Branford, Gilford, Milford, Madison, Middletown, Portland, Cromwell, Clinton, Westbrook, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, Killingworth, East Hampton, Deep River, Centerbrook, Uncasville, Voluntown, Ledyard, Lebanon, Quaker Hill, Prospect, Meriden, and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Repair and Dryer Vent Installation Tips for Portland, CT Consumers

Proper dryer vent installation and the right choice of material are essential in providing your clothes dryer with proper air flow. Here are some dryer vent repair and installation tips:

Make sure your dryer duct is made of solid metal 4-inch tubing. The vinyl or flexible foil types are not sufficient for air flow, they tend to trap more lint and they are combustible.

Use metal clamps to attach the duct to the dryer and foil tape to seal joints between sections. Do not use duct tape; this is flammable! Do not use sheet metal screws; they protrude to the inside and catch lint.

Short and straight is the best route for your dryer vent system. Try to avoid sharp turns.

Install an exterior dryer exhaust hood to the outside with louvers that open when the dryer is running and close when it is off. Check the vent often when the dryer is running to be sure it is functioning properly. You should see the exhaust coming out. You also need to check to be sure birds or mice haven’t built a nest or that the vent isn’t frozen shut in the winter.

Always vent your clothes dryer to the outside, not in the attic or crawl space. Inside dryer vent systems no longer comply with current safety standards.

Dryer Safety Tips

Never leave the house or go to sleep when the dryer is running

Avoid storing flammable material or chemicals near the clothes dryer

Do not place rags that have been soaked with flammable substances into the dryer even if they have been washed; some residue can remain.

Have a professional inspect and clean your dryer vent system annually

Proper air flow is the most important requirement for your dryer to work safely and efficiently. Failure to clean dryer vents is the number one cause of dryer fires, not to mention increased energy bills and appliance failure due to excessive stress on the machine.

Don Brusseau is a CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Expert and owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, a national dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation company who strives to promote consumer awareness on dryer fire safety and energy savings. Making clothes dryers safer and greener is DVW’s specialty.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Connecticut provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in New London, Middlesex and New Haven Counties, New London, Groton, Niantic, Mystic, Waterford, Norwich, Stonington, Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Essex, Montville, Pawcatuck, New Haven, Branford, Gilford, Milford, Madison, Middletown, Portland, Cromwell, Clinton, Westbrook, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, Killingworth, East Hampton, Deep River, Centerbrook, Uncasville, Voluntown, Ledyard, Lebanon, Quaker Hill, Prospect, Meriden, and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Cleaning and Green Ideas from the Wizard of Portland, Connecticut

Dryer Vent Cleaning Portland CT:

Attention Residents with Clothes Dryers in Portland, Connecticut

Your clothes dryer is among the top 5 energy consumers in your home. Here are some tips for saving energy when drying laundry. Whether your dryer is gas or electric, both operate the same, drying your laundry by heating and tumbling. Both require proper air flow to avoid over-working and to accomplish this task efficiently.

Dryer Vent Cleaning tips for Portland, Connecticut Consumers

Proper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance ensures proper air-flow, which is most vital to avoid overworking the clothes dryer and to prevent a potential fire hazard. When the dryer vent system is clogged with lint, it will obstruct air-flow, cause severe overheating, and eventually, a fire. Dryer vent cleaning, by a dryer vent specialist, is recommended at least once a year; more often if you have a large family.

Maintain the Lint Filter, says Dryer Vent Wizard of Portland, CT

Most everyone knows to clean the lint filter after every load; however, few are aware that the lint screen should be washed in warm, soapy water periodically. The use of fabric softener sheets, like Bounce, can cause a film to build up on the lint screen. This will restrict air flow needed for your dryer to work efficiently.

Do Full Loads – Don’t Over-load, as advised by Portland Dryer Vent Cleaning Company

Try to only do full loads of laundry; small loads waste a lot of energy that could be used for washing and drying a full load. Be careful not to over load as this will cause the washer and dryer to overwork; additional wear and tear leads to the expense of repairing and/or replacing your appliances.

Separate Light and Heavy Weights

Heavier items, such as jeans and towels naturally take longer to dry than lighter weight items like T-shirts. It has been suggested to dry the different weights separately, but you can also start them together, and stop the dryer to remove the lighter items that are dry, and then take advantage of the already heated drum to dry the rest. This way, you aren’t allowing a cool down between loads; you save the energy that would otherwise be used to heat the drum again.

About Dryer Sensors and Energy Saving Features on Newer Clothes Dryers

Clothes dryers have become more energy efficient as most new models have dryness sensors so that the dryer automatically moves on to the cool-down cycle or turns off when laundry is dry. The sensors prevent over-drying of clothes which prolongs the life of your clothing while saving energy.

Solar Drying is Free in Portland, Connecticut

When the weather is right, hang laundry outdoors and let Mother Nature’s sun and breeze dry your laundry free. This can be inconvenient for some, but even if you just hang a small amount, like sheets and towels, you will be saving energy.

Clothing Rods are Popular Money Savers in Portland, Connecticut

Clothing rods are good for use indoors or outdoors. The clothing rod is a great money saver. You can dry your laundry for a short time, to remove wrinkles, remove your laundry when it is still damp and hang to finish drying.

Your clothes dryer is one of the top energy consumers in your home. Reducing the energy cost of doing laundry will help save money on utility bills. Proper appliance maintenance is also a major money saver, saving on utility bills, and appliance repair bills. A well maintained appliance will work more efficiently and have less risk of failure.


Please watch this video provided by Dryer Vent Wizard of Portland, CT

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26507771#26507771


Dryer Vent Wizard of Connecticut provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in New London, Middlesex and New Haven Counties, New London, Groton, Niantic, Mystic, Waterford, Norwich, Stonington, Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Essex, Montville, Pawcatuck, New Haven, Branford, Gilford, Milford, Madison, Middletown, Portland, Cromwell, Clinton, Westbrook, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, Killingworth, East Hampton, Deep River, Centerbrook, Uncasville, Voluntown, Ledyard, Lebanon, Quaker Hill, Prospect, Meriden, and neighboring cities and communities.

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