Checked Your Dryer Vent Lately?

The average American washes 600 loads of laundry per year. That’s a lot of dirty clothes that are being washed and dried. While most people remember to empty their dryer’s lint filter, many neglect the task of checking their dryer ventilation. Keeping a clean dryer vent is a maintenance task that is sure to protect your family. 

• Reduce the risk of a house fire. Did you know that lint is the leading cause of house fires? The National Fire Incident Reporting System discloses that from the years, 2007-2011 dryers accounted for 15,200 fires, 30 deaths, 460 injuries, and $216 million in property damage. Don't think twice about the impact on your life that cleaning your dryer vent can have. Protect your family from the devastating loss of a house fire.
• Save Energy. A clean dryer vent will result in your dryer running more efficiently. A clogged dryer vent will cause your appliance to need more time and energy to dry your clothes thoroughly. This extra time will ultimately lead to higher utility bills and more time waiting for your clothes to dry. Save yourself some extra money in the long run by keeping your dryer vent clean.
• Longer life for your clothes. When you ignore your dryer vent, and it starts to clog, your dryer begins to overheat causing damage to your clothes. The high volume of heat can wear down the fibers in your clothing and result in them needing replacing. This constant heat ultimately leaves you with a shorter life span of your garments and more money spent.
• More Time. On average it can take clothes anywhere from 50-60 minutes to thoroughly dry. If your dryer vent has a blockage, the time it takes to dry your clothes can double. Repeating the drying cycle is taking up time in your day that you could be spending doing something you love to do. Save time in your day by checking to make sure your dryer is working at its best.
• Extended Dryer Life. Replacing a major appliance in your home can be expensive. By leaving your home with a clogged dryer vent, you’re causing your dryer to overheat and cause damage to itself. Too much heat can cause sensors and parts to stop functioning. Extend the life span of your current dryer by taking the necessary maintenance steps to ensure it’s working properly. 

You may not give too much consideration to your dryer vents regularly, but taking the time once a year to clean them up can make a huge difference in your day to day life. Prevent harm to your clothes, dryer, and potentially your home by having your dryer vent cleaned. If you're up for the task, purchase a dryer duct cleaning kit to use the appropriate tools for the job. If you're not prepared to take on such a chore, contact a local dryer vent and air duct cleaning service to get the job done.