It’s important to pay close attention to what kind of hoses are installed at your home or business dryer vents as this makes a major impact on your dryer safety and energy efficiency. In this blog entry, the Dallas, Texas dryer vent cleaning experts will detail the various types of dryer vent hoses, and what’s the best type for your dryer.
Aluminum Foil Dryer Vent Hose
Aluminum foil dryer vent hoses are constructed with accordion style foil supported with wires. They are easy to install and affordable, but arent the best form of dryer vent hose. Aluminum dryer vent hoses are ribbed, and therefore have more surface that can catch and retain lint, which increases the risk of dryer fires. Many construction codes don’t even allow for aluminum dryer vent hoses. If you want to use aluminum foil dryer vent hoses, use just enough to connect your dryer to your venting system to reduce the chances of lint build up.
Semi Rigid Metal
Semi rigid metal tubes have some aluminum, but not the type that’s foil based. They are stiffer than foil dryer vent tubes, and have more of a smooth interior, which reduces the risk of catching onto lint. Semi rigid metal dryer vent hoses are better than foil dryer vent hoses, but still shouldn’t be used for the entirety of your venting system. Instead we recommend using a shorter tube of semi rigid metal to connect your dryer system to a higher quality pipe that will transport lint the rest of the way to your vnet.
Rigid Metal Dryer Vents
Rigid metal dryer vents are ideal. They are highly sturdy, totally smooth, and catch the smallest amount of lint. They are the safest option for dryer vent hoses, and although they are more expensive, the price is worth it.
Plastic and Vinyl Dryer Vent Hoses
NEVER use a plastic or vinyl dryer vent hose. Largely banned by many building codes, these dryer vent hoses catch a ton of lint due to their ribbing, and are a major and very serious fire risk.
Dryer Vent Hose Maintenance
Make sure to clean your dryer vent hoses twice a year to prevent lint build up and the risk of fires. Turn off your dryer, move it away from the wall, and disconnect its transition duct. Then use a high powered vacuum to remove extra lint, and reconnect all of the components. Or, alternatively, just contact a professional dryer vent cleaning service, like everyone here at Power Clean Solutions, for expert and affordable assistance.
Ventless Dryer
An alternative option is the ventless dryer, which removes moisture from clothes which is then drained into a lower pan. The pan is emptied after every dryer cycle. They take much longer to dry clothes, and are an option best suited to properties with very limited space.
