Why Clean Your Dryer Vent? Understanding the Importance of Fire Safety

You don’t leave the house with candles burning, and you have your wiring checked when the lights flicker to avoid a house fire. You know that a house fire can put your family at risk and destroy all of your family’s memories and belongings.

However, there is one fire danger that might not even be on your radar — your dryer vents. Loose fibers, trash, lint, and debris end up in your dryer vents. When this debris builds up in your vents, the heat from the dryer can ignite it, and you have a house fire before you know it. Here’s a look at why you need to have your dryer vents cleaned. 

Signs You Have a Clogged Dryer Vent

A clogged dryer vent can lead to a house fire, along with a lot of other problems. However, the vent leaves the back of your dryer and disappears into a wall. How can you tell when it’s clogged? There will be some signs, such as:

• Takes longer to dry
• The exterior of the dryer feels extremely hot
• Burning smell 
• Increased energy bills 
• Musty smells or visible mold
• Lint buildup around the dryer vent opening
• The dryer shuts off during a cycle without an obvious reason

Some of these signs can also mean that it’s time to replace your dryer, but it can also be a clogged dryer vent. If you haven’t had your vents cleaned in a while, start there. 

Benefits of Cleaning Your Dryer Vents

You need to know that there are benefits to the work that you have done around your home. When you have your dryer vents cleaned, you’ll enjoy many benefits. Check out a few of the benefits:

Reduced Risks of a Fire

The lint and debris that come out of your dryer and go into your vent are flammable materials. However, they need a heat source to catch on fire. A clog can create a heat source. With the vents clogged, the motor in your dryer must work harder and hotter to get your clothes dry. This extra heat can cause the lint in the vents to catch fire. In homes, four percent of house fires come from dryers, and of those, 32 percent can be traced back to a clogged filter. 

Increased Energy Efficiency

From the HVAC system to your dishwasher, appliances in your home use the most energy. When your utility bills suddenly skyrocket, you can almost bet that there’s a problem with an appliance behind it. One part of the problem is that you have to run your dryer longer to get your clothes dry than you do when it’s clean. As the dryer works harder to dry your clothes when the vent is clogged, it is consuming a lot more electricity or natural gas, depending on your dryer type. A dryer vent cleaning can increase your dryer’s energy efficiency since it doesn’t have to work as hard. 

Improved Indoor Air Quality

If you have a family member with allergies or young children, indoor air quality is important to you. You might notice that you’re dusting more, or people in your home keep getting sick. It could be due to a clogged dryer vent, which decreases the quality of your indoor air. All that lint and debris can escape a little at a time and get into your home. When the vent is full and clogged, the new lint and debris have nowhere to go and get pushed out into your home. This lowers the air quality.v 

Expanded Lifespan of the Appliance

Your household appliances represent a significant investment, and you want them to last as long as possible. If you maintain your dryer and don’t overfill it, a new dryer should last between 10 and 13 years with regular maintenance. A clogged dryer vent can cause damage to your dryer and reduce its potential lifespan. The motor has to work harder, and in some cases, lint and debris can reach the motor department, causing more problems. Also, when the dryer heats up due to a clog, the heat can damage other parts of the dryer, which can lead to expensive repairs. 

Minimized Risk of Pest Infestation

You work hard to keep pests, such as insects, mice, and other critters, out of your home. Your dryer vent leads to the outdoors and can be used by creepy crawlies to enter your home. Birds and other nesting creatures can find a luxury home waiting in your dryer vent. These nests can also increase the chances of a house fire due to your dryer vents. Regular cleaning of your dryer vents ensures that any nests or critters are removed from your vent as well. If you see an influx of pests, it might be time to have your dryer vent cleaned. 

How Often Should You Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?

A few variables go into determining how often you need to have your dryer vents cleaned. For example, if you’re a single person, you need your dryer vent cleaned less often than a home with a family of five living in it. You’re using your dryer less than the family. The type of dryer you have can also help to determine how often you need to have your vent cleaned. As a general rule, you should have your vent cleaned at least once a year. If you notice any signs of a clogged dryer vent, you should immediately schedule a cleaning. 

Partner With Crystal Clean Vents to Clean Your Dryer Vents

You want to avoid a house fire at all costs. If you haven’t had your dryer vents cleaned recently, it’s time to schedule your cleaning. At Crystal Clean Vents, our team knows how important clean dryer vents are to the safety of your home and family, so we always do an outstanding job. We want to partner with you to keep your vents clean, whether they’re dryer or HVAC vents. Schedule your dryer vent cleaning today.