Having your own washer and dryer is a big investment, and with any investment, you should work to protect it so that you get the most out of your money. There are some routine maintenance tasks that should be done like cleaning out the washer to prevent smells, removing lint from the lint screen each time you empty the dryer, and cleaning out the dryer vent.
If you neglect to clean out that dryer vent regularly, you may end up facing financial consequences or lose your home to a fire caused by an overheated dryer. Learn why dryer vent cleaning is important for all homeowners.
A blocked dryer vent can create some hefty financial issues.
If your vent has lint that has created a clog, then your clothes dryer likely isn’t working as efficiently as it could be. This means you might have to dry your clothes for longer or even run another drying cycle, which uses up more energy. That adds more to your electric bill and over time, and that cost can really add up. Unless you have the vent cleaned on a regular basis, then your energy bill will keep increasing, which isn’t good for your finances or for the environment. If you have a gas dryer, then your gas bill will be the one that increases.
Along with higher energy costs, you’ll also likely end up needing repairs done to your dryer, which is yet another financial cost that you may not plan on incurring. You want your dryer to work as well as possible and to prevent anything from happening to it during its lifespan.
A clogged vent may cause other hazards.
While financial costs are certainly a cause for concern, there are other serious problems that can happen if your dryer vent becomes clogged. First, you face a risk of toxic carbon monoxide coming into your home, as it would normally escape through the vent itself. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector in your house, then you and your family could be at risk for exposure since this is an odorless, colorless gas. Second, you also risk the air quality in your house with a clogged dryer vent, which can be a concern for people in your family who may suffer from asthma or seasonal allergies.
The biggest risk of failing to maintain an open dryer vent is the potential for a house fire. Approximately 2,900 house fires each year are caused by dryers, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. These fires are linked to around five deaths, 100 injuries, and about $35 million in property damage every year. Out of those 3,900 fires, 39 percent were caused by an unclean dryer, and these fires seem to most often occur in the fall and winter, especially in January.
Avoid these problems with dryer vent cleaning services.
Instead of letting these problems happen to you, find a qualified dryer vent cleaner near you who can provide you with a variety of services, including a dryer vent cleaning service. Likely, they can also provide routine HVAC system and duct cleaning to increase the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning, which will continue to save you money on your electric bills. It’s recommended to clean out your dryer at least once a year and to use a trained technician, as they will know the best methods to remove dryer lint or any animal debris from rodents or birds who may have tried to use the vent as a home. Protect your home from poor air quality, fire hazard, and risk of carbon monoxide exposure with a routine dryer cleaning service.
