Maintain Your Dryer Vent System with Annual Cleaning!
Two dryer fires were recently reported; both with a very sad outcome. Mrs. Pittman, an animal trainer in Boynton Beach, Florida recently lost 4 beloved pets when her dryer caught fire. She was able to save her dogs, but the cats perished. Another dryer fire occurred the day before in Lexington, MA, where Gena Brown was killed. She died saving the life of her two daughters.
Unfortunately, dryer fires happen all too often. The US fire administration indicates over 15,000 dryer fires annually, resulting in 15 deaths and nearly $100 million in damages. The number one cause of these dryer fires is failure to clean the dryer vents, which is why Underwriter Laboratories and other consumer safety organizations recommend yearly inspections and cleanings of dryer vent systems.
How does it happen? The lint screen in your dryer only catches a portion of the lint produced by your dryer. The rest of it is expected to be vented outside via the dryer venting system. Over time the lint builds up inside the vent causing the dryer to overheat and eventually catch on fire. Other reasons why it happens include improper installation of the dryer, a venting system not up to code, excessive human or pet hair, a bird nest or an animal in vent, drying fabrics with combustibles on them, etc. That is why an inspection is always needed before a cleaning.
Even if you are one of the lucky ones who do not experience a dryer fire, a clogged vent causes the dryer to work extra hard, run longer and cost more to operate. Cleaning the lint screen regularly and using a dryer with an automatic drying cycle are among the 10 most important rules for conserving energy. Unfortunately, these tips are useless if there is a clogged vent. Studies have shown that drying 6 loads per week, taking 2 hours each (instead of the ideal 45 minutes each) it will cost you an additional $435 per year. This figure varies in areas such as Florida, where electricity is more expensive and an overheating dryer vent system will cause the AC to run longer.
With this in mind, wouldn’t you agree that it makes good sense to have your dryer vent system professionally inspected annually? When dryer ducts are clogged with lint, hair and dust, they pose a fire safety threat and cause the dryer to run inefficiently, increasing utility bills and shortening the life of the appliance. The small fee for dryer vent cleaning is well worth it when compared to the devastating loss from a fire.
