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It’s been for so long an anything goes mentality for dryer venting, leaving so many with a poorly operating system, marginal at best, hoovering dangerously close to hazardous conditions. In my forty so years in business I’ve seen so many vent jobs done none code compliant, and in this case, code and good function being tantamount. With so many recorded dryer fires I wonder how this complacency even exist! Well it does and I would invite anybody reading this article to differ or support. You can respond to Info@hardduck.com
My experience has been that the lack of a workable method that follows manufactures suggested “use hard metal duct only” combined with the fact that it is so widely accepted using flexible duct, often well exceeding the three foot max length as per code. With dryers rarely being inspected it has created this anything goes misconception. We can’t blame the consumer for doing what the trade has found acceptable for years.
Moving forward it would be best to keep things simple. So let’s start with a proven fact. Flow is so vital in drying that if certain principles are not followed thousands in energy and possible life and property will be lost. I’d like to explain what I’ve found to be extremely important. There is a difference between pressure and flow and the later can be hindered with ether a direction change such as a 90 degree turn or a character change in pathway such as round to rectangular duct. At the exit when measured often in feet per minute FPM we can achieve an acceptable reading of say 800 FPM but over only a short period of time that reading is greatly diminished due to a buildup of lint pockets in the run [flex and periscope type fittings ] or two major contributors. So aerodynamics is the key! Flow backed by pressure keeps clothes dryer ducts clean.
With the thought of keeping the flow aerodynamic, as I suggested, you might be saying, do I really have to open that wall, cut out that stud, maybe even change the location of the dryer altogether, my answer is yes. Whatever is necessary to achieve the best job will prove worthy now and for the full life of this dryer and the next to come.
1 - Absolutely no more than 30‘total length of duct.
2 - There will be reductions in total length with use of directional fittings 90 degree/ 45 degree. For your information aerodynamic fittings can greatly reduce that reduction. For example a 90 degree standard swivel type fitting reduces 5 foot for each fitting used. A sweeping type 90 degree fitting with radius of 6” requires no reduction and is available on Hard Duck along with many other products to help achieve your goal.
3 - Starting from your dryer heading to the exit it is important to insert the fitting closest to the dryer into the fitting leaving so as not to leave ridges for lint to build on.
4 - It is best to use heavy wall steel duct for the full run from clothes dryer to exit port. Access to the dryers vent may not be accessible when in place, so for that and much more we recommend the dryer vent bracket available on Hard Duck.
5 - Always secure vent duct were needed to limit failure and use a single flap exit port not a multi flap louvered type not designed for venting dryers.