Whether it is a Laundromat or your home, dryers can effectively evaporate water from wet clothes. This excellent commodity speeds up the drying process by blowing hot hair through them.
You put your washed, wet clothes in a spinning drum, and the dryer blows hot hair as they tumble inside. While garment loads may also contain as much as a gallon or more of water, dryers can easily turn it into airborne water vapor. During the drying process, this water vapor leaves the clothes dryer machine through an exhaust duct called the dryer vent.
There are a lot of things that you must keep in mind when installing a dryer vent. Keep reading to learn about dryer vents.
Here’s How Far You Can Run with Dryer Vent:
It is important to consider the distance between the dryer and the location of the vent to ensure effective functioning. Ideally, you should not run your dryer vent more than 35 feet away from the dryer to the outside.
Exceeding this benchmark can result in issues relating to venting. For instance, the moisture may remain collected inside the exhaust duct. Additionally, you will require installing a dryer boosting fan as well.
With your moderate-length dryer vent, you can also reduce how long your pipe runs by adjusting the angles. For example, a 90-degree angle adds five feet, whereas turns of 45 degrees will add 2.5 feet. The dryer vent can run in the following ways:
High
It is safe for a dryer vent to go as much as 35 feet in height from the roof or wall terminal. However, this depends on the dryer location.
Long
It is also possible for a dryer vent to run up towards the attic. However, you must keep in mind that the distance affects the flow of the exhaust. Make sure the vent is not too long so as to avoid exhaust remaining stuck.
What Is The Longest Distance You Can Run A Dryer Vent?
A dryer vent will still be effective at a distance of 35 feet from where the dryer is installed. So, you can install the dryer vent anywhere outside within this limit. However, a short dryer vent plays a better role and doesn’t affect the functionality of the dryer as much.
Some of the disadvantages of a long vent include:
Extended Drying Time
The vent is responsible for releasing hot moisture or air into the dryer. A longer dryer vent will take the air more time to reach the dryer. This means that fabrics will dry at a slower rate due when hot moisture is not readily released.
Affect Appliances
When hot moisture does not get released in time, it remains trapped inside the vent. This can make the surroundings damp and can affect the life span of other household appliances.
Buildup of Lint
Lint buildup refers to the accumulation of textile fibers inside the venting pipeline. This can affect the efficiency of the dryer as lint buildup increases the temperature in the pipe.
Is It Bad To Have A Long Dryer Vent?
It is common for people to ignore how a dryer works when they install one on their own. But, the installation method and distance of the pipe can be a huge factor in deciding the functionality and efficiency of the dryer.
While you can install your dryer vent up to 35 feet away from the dryer and use a long dryer vent, it is not a great idea. Longer vents can extend drying time and affect the efficiency and life cycle of other appliances in the house.
Not to mention, the dryer may also not work as well due to high temperatures in the vent pipe caused by lint buildup. Besides, it can also be quite costly compared to a shorter dryer vent.
The following are some advantages of ditching a long vent and opting for a shorter one.
Efficient Working
Long dryer vents also take a long to release hot moisture. This means that certain cycles of the dryer vent will take longer than they would with a short vent. As a result, your dryer will use more electricity, and you will need to pay more for electricity. But short exhaust ducts can have the opposite effect.
Better Drying
As longer vents take time to release hot moisture, the clothes inside the dryer take longer to dry. On the other hand, short dryer vents can speed up the drying process.
Fewer Chances of Clogging
Your vent pipeline is very likely to clog due to lint buildup. Textile fiber and other materials from the clothes travel from the dryer towards the vent. Shorter vents can easily push this out with their air, while pipes as long as 35 feet are more difficult. As a result, lint may build up in the vent pipe, clog it, and pose a fire danger.
Fewer Moisture Issues
The warm air also moves out of the house through the dryer vent. While traveling through it, it is possible for the air to condense and result in moisture in the walls and surroundings. This can result in water damage. There are higher chances of hot moisture getting trapped when the dryer vent is up to 35 feet long.
How Far Can You Run A Dryer Vent Horizontally?
Your dryer vent must go in an upwards direction to let out air and lint. If required, you can also lay the vent in a horizontal position before it reaches a connection towards the termination on top. But, it is also possible to direct it all the way up towards the roof.
Whether positioned vertically or horizontally, make sure that the length of the exhaust duct does not exceed a length of 35 feet. From the location of the dryer to the termination point in the wall or roof, the length of the horizontal dryer vent pipe ranging between 12 inches to 25 feet is ideal.
Is Your Dryer Vent Hose Too Long?
While there is no limit to the minimum length of a dryer vent hose, it should not be longer than 35 feet. This is because exceeding this length can cause moisture to get stuck in the exhaust duct. Not to mention, lint is also very likely to build up and clog it.
While you can use a dryer vent for as long as 35 feet, it is best to go for shorter ones. In case your vent pipe is too long, your clothes will take longer to dry, and you may notice a rise in the electricity bills. If your dryer vent hose is 35 feet long, try replacing it with a shorter one.
Doing so will ensure that the drying time reduces and your dryer uses lesser electricity. Not to forget, a short dryer vent hose will also protect your house and other household appliances from water and moisture damage.
Key Takeaways
Dryer vents play an important role in how effectively your clothes dryer works. This is why you must consider the distance between the termination point and the location of your dryer. Ideally, you should not run your dryer vent more than 35 feet away from the dryer. However, it is best if you choose a shorter exhaust duct as long ones can affect the effectiveness, efficiency, and of your dryer.
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