Flexible aluminum or rigid metal ducts are preferred over plastic or foil ducts due to their durability and heat resistance. Individual Vents: Vent each dryer individually to the outside. Whenever possible avoid venting multiple dryers into a larger shared vent.
Dryer vents should either be solid steel vent pipe or solid aluminum vent pipe. Do not use plastic vent pipe! its a safety and fire hazard. Aluminum foil vent pipes are almost as bad as plastic but still safer being less of a fire hazard...
PVC or plastic ducts are common because they're easy to install but they can trap lint. For clothes dryer venting, a 4-inch, rigid aluminum or galvanized steel duct pipe is a better option. They let air flow more freely and reduce lint buildup.
Measure the distance from the dryer exhaust to the wall, then add 2ft. Stretch the duct out to that length, then cut it. Attach to wall, then to dryer, then move dryer to wall while squishing the duct back down. If 2ft extra duct is too much, you can always keep trimming until it fits.
It's best to choose a material such as rigid metal for your dryer vent hose, which is much less flammable than plastic or aluminum. If you install your dryer yourself, follow the instructions from the manufacturer before installing the dryer vent hose.
Better Airflow: One of the primary benefits of using a hard pipe for dryer venting is that it provides better airflow. The smooth interior of a hard pipe allows air to flow freely, while the ridges and creases in flexible accordion piping can cause restrictions in airflow.
“Metal vents — can be susceptible to bent flanges and denting from shipping and handling. Plastic vents are a lot lighter and much more durable.” Donna Burtch, Duraflo® Product Manager at Canplas.
Flexible transition hose between the dryer and the wall outlet should be either the foil type or the aluminum flexible duct (most preferred). Do not use the plastic or vinyl. Concealed ducting must be rigid metal (galvanized or aluminum) duct.
Check Air Filters and Keep Ducts Clean
If you don't keep up with this basic maintenance, you won't feel much air coming from your ducts. Most importantly, after you have your ducts cleaned, keep them that way. Perform regular cleanings to make sure dust doesn't build up and block your airflow in the future.
Equip your dryer with a temporary aluminum hose that can channel warm air, lint, and gases outside the home. In this way, the indoor air remains safe to breathe, and the dryer itself can operate with increased efficiency. A simple dryer hose can make a huge difference! Sometimes a window dryer vent can help too.
Some dryer vent installations also have an external lint trap, which is also known as a secondary dryer lint trap or a 4″ In-Line Dryer Lint Trap.
The exhaust duct should be rigid metal 4 inches in diameter and no more than 35 feet in length or as specified by the duct manufacturer. This length should be decreased by 2.5 feet for every 45-degree bend the duct makes and 5 feet for every 90-degree bend the duct makes.
Long vertical runs can result in greater humidity and lint accumulation, which will reduce drying efficiency. Vertical runs may require the installation of a booster fan to maintain effective exhaust air flow.
M1502.
The maximum length of the exhaust duct does not include the transition duct. This means that vents should also be as straight as possible and cannot be longer than 35 feet. Any 90-degree turns in the vent reduce this 35-foot number by 5 feet, since these turns restrict airflow.
Generally speaking, the clothes dryer itself, as well as the vent should be cleaned every 1 to 3 years. The variables that affect frequency include: How much laundry – how many loads – you do a week. How long your dryer vent system is.
2) Clean the Dryer Duct
Just as you need to regularly clean your dryer lint trap, it's important to occasionally clear the dryer duct of lint. The dryer duct apertures can absolutely get clogged up with lint, especially at bends and sharp turns.
The flexible nature and expandable configuration allow most installs to occur without any modification to the duct or the wall penetration. A pair of jumbo zip ties and you're good to go…at least for a few months until all of the internal bumps and ridges begin to clog with lint.
A rigid metal duct tends to be the best type of dryer vent hose. This tube provides a straight, direct line to the outside. Its inner wall is smooth, and it lacks the ribs found in flexible dryer hoses.
If you live in a humid or corrosive environment, a plastic vent box might be more suitable due to its corrosion-resistant properties. Conversely, in areas with extreme temperatures, a metal vent box might be a more reliable option.
According to most building codes, dryer vents don't need insulation. But, it can be a good idea—especially if your laundry is located in or runs through an unheated area of your home, like a basement or crawl space.
According to the International Residential Code (IRC) Section M1502, the clothes dryer exhaust duct should be made of metal, with No. 28-gauge thickness, a smooth interior finish, and a duct diameter of 4 inches.
Ridge Vents: What You Need to Know
They are considered one of the most effective types of roof vents due to their design and positioning. Ridge vents work by creating a continuous air channel, allowing hot air to escape and fresh air to enter through intake vents located at the lower parts of the roof.
Heat Transfer & Thermal Conductivity
In the MKS system, the units are Watts per meter Kelvin or W/(m/K). Metals generally exhibit high thermal conductivities and are much quicker to respond to a change in their surrounding environment's temperature compared to plastics or foams.
Galvanized steel ducts are a popular choice for many HVAC systems due to their strength and durability. These ducts are known to be long-lasting, providing a reliable and sturdy option for delivering air throughout a building.