Clean Vents Save Utility Costs, Prevent unwanted House Fires, Electrical Issues
Nationwide, over 15,000 house fires start in the laundry room due to blocked dryer vents, according to Vent Check International and Consumer Reports.
A dirty dryer vent is the leading cause to one’s home dryer taking twice as long to dry a load of laundry. This hazard can cause mechanical overheating and a potential house fire. Having one’s dryer vents checked by a specialist and cleaned every one to two years can help reduce these household risks.
“Not only can it reduce the risk of a house fire, but having your vents cleaned can save utility costs,” said Iain Stubley, co owner of Burlington Dryer Vent Cleaning, based in Burlington. The company launched its online presence this November and offers key information on the warning signs of an inefficient and potentially unsafe dryer. Some of those warning signs include:
- Lint buildup back of the dryer
- Lint that sticks to clothes after a full drying cycle
- Clothes are still damp after a full cycle or hotter than usual
- The laundry room is warmer or more humid than normal
- It has been more than a year or two since the dryer vent was last cleaned
Two or more of these situations should motivate a homeowner to seriously check the quality of his or her dryer vents to prevent unwanted hazards. Specialists can make a quick and affordable home inspection before doing any labor on these issues to determine whether professional cleaning is needed. Taking action at the present moment can prevent the risk of a home fire, temporary housing costs, salvage costs and rising homeowner’s premiums.
Stubley says not only should one be concerned about these safety issues but also their household expenses. He said, “Clogged dryer vents cost on average $288 more per year to run. That’s almost $300 per year in wasted electricity or gas.”
So not only does a clean dryer run more efficiently with clean vents, but it reduces the amount of time it takes to dry one’s laundry and saves money on the utility bill. For these reasons Stubley suggests calling a professional service like Dryer Vent Cleaning in Burlington for at least a household checkup. He said taking preventative measures is more livable than the frustration of taking out damp clothes only to put them back in the dryer for another damp-drying cycle.