Large appliances like your clothes dryer are among the items in your home that require regular maintenance to work properly. Keeping your dryer clean and well maintained is key to ensuring it continues to work properly and efficiently. In addition, keeping your dryer vent and filters clear of lint and other debris will help keep humidity and musty odours out of your home. Your dryer will use less energy thanks to a regular vent cleaning, and you will be able to rest assured that a buildup of lint in your dryer vent won’t lead to a sudden fire in your home. There are many reasons why you should keep your dryer vent clean, the problem is knowing how often you should enlist the help of professionals to do the cleaning for you.
Causes for Dryer Vent Cleaning
There are many signs you can look for that should indicate your dryer is not working at peak efficiency. If you have noticed any of the following issues with your dryer, it is likely time to contact an experienced professional at High Demand Heating to come inspect your clothes dryer and perform the necessary maintenance.
Heat and Humidity
A clothes dryer’s primary function is to generate and keep heated air inside the machine to dry your wet clothes. The only escape for this hot air should be through the dryer vent outside. However, if your dryer vent is clogged, the hot air will be diverted back into your dryer, which can cause the machine to become overheated and hot to the touch. Your clothes will also become too hot inside the dryer, which can actually damage fabrics. Finally, an overheated dryer can cause an increase in hot, humid air within your home, which can cause climate control systems in your home like air conditioners and dehumidifiers to work harder, costing you more on your energy bills.
Inefficiency
A clogged dryer vent will also make it harder for the dryer to do its job efficiently. If you notice your dryer is taking longer than usual to get your clothes completely dry, one of the first things you should check is whether or not the vent is clogged. Not only will this problem cost you more on your energy bills, it also has the potential to significantly reduce the lifespan of your dryer.
Odours
You may have noticed a slight musty smell coming from your dryer as it is running. This is another sign that you require a dryer vent cleaning. It is also indicative of another potentially dangerous issue concerning your dryer vent. If you continue to use your dryer despite the odour, you may notice a different odour coming from the back of your machine. Severely clogged dryer vents contain lots of highly flammable lint which will start to give off a burning smell if allowed to build up. If you ever smell a burning odour coming from your dryer you should immediately turn off the unit and contact a professional to inspect and clean your dryer vent.
If you notice any of the issues listed above, it is important to make sure your dryer vent is cleaned as soon as possible by a skilled and knowledgeable professional. Once they have provided you will a thorough vent cleaning, you can start to plan regular follow up cleanings. The frequency with which you have your dryer vents cleaned really depends on how often you use your dryer. At the very least, you should have your dryer vent cleaned and inspected on an annual basis, but if you typically use your dryer more than once a week, you might consider scheduling a cleaning every three to six months.
For more information about our dryer cleaning service, or any other quality plumbing and HVAC services offered by High Demand Heating to our customers in Maple Ridge and throughout BC’s Lower Mainland, be sure to contact us today!