Dryer vent cleaning is one of those home maintenance tasks that most homeowners don’t take seriously. While it might not be compared to most house chores, let alone, taking a minor priority, neglecting the cleaning of your dryer vent takes you through a series of unsuspecting costs of the game that are not normally well known; all of which can surprise you. Some of them include the following possible results: soaring energy bills and a serious risk of fire.
In this blog, we will discuss the hidden costs of not cleaning your dryer vent, so that you can go ahead and schedule regular maintenance for you to save energy and money.
1. Energy Bills
One of the most immediate yet annoying side effects of a blocked dryer vent is energy consumed. Because airflow cannot happen accurately due to the presence of lint, dust, and debris, your dryer has to work much harder to dry your clothes. Added to this effort often comes extra time for a cycle to dry and therefore high energy consumption.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a clogged dryer vent can increase energy expenditure by as much as 30%. Year after year, this adds up to significantly higher utility bills, and what may appear to be a minor issue can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in wasted energy.
2. Decreased Dryer Efficiency
Your dryer is a good investment, just like any household appliance, and that’s why you want to make it last for a long time. The moment the vent gets blocked, it tries to make the drying motor and other parts work far more aggressively than they should to get the job done. Such excess stress may result in early wear of the machine, thereby reducing the machine’s lifespan.
This problem can be prevented easily with dryer vent cleaning. That way, the dry will function better, and the life span will increase to give you many more years of usage. Skipping this simple maintenance step probably will result in a costly repair or an early replacement.
3. Fire Hazards And Safety Risks
Perhaps the greatest cost of ignoring dryer vent cleaning is that there is an increased risk of fires. Dust lint that collects in a dryer vent is highly flammable. The buildup can easily ignite when combined with the heat produced by a dryer.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2014 and 2018, home fires caused by dryers totaled approximately 13,820. The number one cause was a failure to clean the vent which contributed to total deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars’ worth of property damage. The cost of putting out fire damage or replacing lost items is much higher than the price of setting up a regular dryer vent cleaning up.
4. Mold & Mildew Growth
A clogged dryer vent can trap moisture in your clothes dryer, creating a damp, humid environment. And that moisture doesn’t just damage your clothes- it’s also food for the growth of the mold and mildew inside your clothes dryer and vent system.
Mold spores can be transferred throughout your home by the ventilation system and pose a significant health issue for your family, especially allergy and breathing sufferers. If it is permitted to grow, mold remediation can also be very expensive, not to mention the cost of having to replace items damaged by the mold. Cleaning your dryer vent will ensure good airflow so that moisture does not become a problem, but perhaps more importantly, prevent mold or mildew from accumulating in your vents.
5. Repairs
A clogged dryer vent puts too much strain on the whole system. Eventually, it may wear out mechanical parts such as the motor, heating elements, and thermostats. Repair or replacement will be costly since the cost of dryer repairs may range from $100 to $400 or more depending upon the scale of damage.
By keeping the vent clean you make less stressful these parts; they are less likely to break and cost a big repair.
6. Time Wasted On Laundry
A blocked dryer vent is not just an expense, but also in time. Since the blocked vent prevents your dryer from working properly, you may need to repeat many cycles to get your clothes dry. It wastes extra hours of your weekly laundry routine by making you wait for loads to finish, time that you could otherwise use for other activities or taking a break.
How To Avoid Hidden Costs
Fortunately, it is pretty easy to avoid such disguised costs: one just needs to schedule regular dryer vent cleanings. Miracle Duct Cleaning advises you to have your dryer vent professionally cleaned once a year. However, people in homes with big families or families that generate a lot of laundry loads may need cleanings even more frequently. Here are some signs that it might be time to have your dryer vent cleaned:
- Clothes take longer time to dry up than usual.
- It is abnormally hot to the touch on top of the dryer.
- Burning smell when or after using the dryer.
- The laundry room is damp for longer periods than usual, especially when the clothes are in the dryer.
- There is lint visible around the external opening of the vent.
Not cleaning your dryer vent could seem harmless, but the latent costs can mount from having to pay more in terms of energy bills, appliance repairs, and even serving as a fire hazard and encouraging mold growth. Cleaner dryer vents are a small investment that will pay off in the long run-saving money, protecting your home, and getting the best out of your dryer. Contact us for more.
Read more: Top 5 Signs You Need A Dryer Vent Cleaning Service