Hi, I recently learned that my dryer exhaust vent really should not be so close to my home HVAC system. Is there anything I can do to extend the vent away from my HVAC? Photo is attached? Thank you.
Dryer Vent Extension
- Thread starter oberah
- Start date
I would be concerned having the dryer vent so close to your furnace's fresh air intake elbow which could negatively affect the combustion of your furnace. That elbow I would extend upward so your furnace isn't breathing in a moist byproduct of combustion mixed with some lint from your dryer or relocate the dryer vent which is probably the best thing to do.. I would believe some dryer lint may get caught on the condenser fins too...
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That's what I think it is. So either the AC/furnace is above it somewhere or he has a condensate pump. Either way, it has no effect on the dryer venting.
I thought the concern was warm moist air drawn into the air conditioner unit, but it seems that lint accumulation is the bigger concern.
You can move the dryer exhaust vent or move the air conditioner unit. Most of the Google hits suggest removing your dryer vent hood, install an elbow and additional solid vent pipe to an exhaust hood farther away. Or, can you run it straight out the wall farther away? You'll have to study maximum vent distance (including elbows) that your dryer allows. Condensation has to be considered also (slope pipe down), but it will be outdoors and less likely to cause problems. Making it look nice will be a challenge.
If you can move the air conditioning unit farther right, you could install a thin "wall" between the two to circumvent the lint and hot air. We don't know what your interior options are to reroute the dryer exhaust.
Other options are to install a lint trap on the dryer combined with frequent washing of the air conditioner coils.
You can move the dryer exhaust vent or move the air conditioner unit. Most of the Google hits suggest removing your dryer vent hood, install an elbow and additional solid vent pipe to an exhaust hood farther away. Or, can you run it straight out the wall farther away? You'll have to study maximum vent distance (including elbows) that your dryer allows. Condensation has to be considered also (slope pipe down), but it will be outdoors and less likely to cause problems. Making it look nice will be a challenge.
If you can move the air conditioning unit farther right, you could install a thin "wall" between the two to circumvent the lint and hot air. We don't know what your interior options are to reroute the dryer exhaust.
Other options are to install a lint trap on the dryer combined with frequent washing of the air conditioner coils.
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Pics are difficult.
How many inches?
Is there visible lint on the coils?
How many inches?
Is there visible lint on the coils?
First off take that screen off the bottom of the vent hood. In the picture it looks like one is in place. Those multi use vent hoods come with those screens for being used with bathroom vents not dryers. Bathroom vents do not pass lint like a dryer. Screen is there so if flap sticks open birds can't build a nest in them when mounted high up. Can't tell you how many quick fix service calls I ran for restricted vents due to those screens being loaded with lint for long or no dry calls not to mention blown thermal fuses.
Lint build up on the A/C condenser would be the main concern, just keep an eye on it being clean.
Extending a dryer vent in an unheated area will accelerate condensation inside the pipe causing lint build up inside the pipe. Common issue with 2nd floor laundry rooms vent pipes running above insulation in unheated attic spaces or in crawl spaces.
Lint build up on the A/C condenser would be the main concern, just keep an eye on it being clean.
Extending a dryer vent in an unheated area will accelerate condensation inside the pipe causing lint build up inside the pipe. Common issue with 2nd floor laundry rooms vent pipes running above insulation in unheated attic spaces or in crawl spaces.
The stupid builder of my house was tight with the Town. He could get a C.O. no problem. He put the dryer vent AND the HVAC exhaust vent directly under the deck, mounted to the house. HVAC is natural gas, 1' from sliding deck doors. I had to extend both with 3" PVC about 20' to get past the deck. Then I had to install 2- 110 CFM boosters on the dryer vent to push it all out. The dryer vent now is roughly 35' long ! Fortunately, the HVAC unit was capable enough to push it that far. What a nightmare ! Had to insulate the PVC so the condensate didn't freeze, and pitch the whole thing so it would drain. I dread when I have to clean that dryer line out. House has no chimney to boot. One of those lego modular bolt together homes. The only thing coming out of the roof are drain vents and the stove vent. Real P.O.S. modular. Gimme a stick house any day !!!
Mine looks pretty much the same as the original post. Been that way since 1997, never even knew it could be a problem. Washing the condenser every spring is a good practice anyway
In the winter, I put a cover over condenser, but only across the top. This way air can flow thru it. In the spring, I hit the coils with that evaporator/coil cleaner stuff, take off the fan, clean the blades, and hit everything with a garden hose. Concentrate on making sure the drains are clear at the bottom of the unit, this way no water/ rain lays down inside there. Seems like overkill, but no rust any place yet.. Goin on 11 yrs now.
The potential risk/issue is lint from the dryer vent clogging up the condenser fins, so I would do what you can to reduce the amount of lint in the dryer vent and/or clean the condenser more often if it is indeed an issue
Good point. If something goes screwy with a gas dryer, the natural gas goes out the vent, same for propane. Once that condenser kicks on, boom, party's over. If it is gas, you can re-route it from the inside of the house. Just make sure you're 36" from a window. Or, re-route on the outside and box it over with siding. All depends if the dryer is electric or gas/propane, and if the basement is finished or not.
Oberah, is the dryer natural gas, propane, or electric ???
Gas dryers have a double valve safety system, been that way forever. No gas is let out if ignitor fails for example. Gas out the vent is a non issue. Dryer venting is high volume low pressure so restrictions like those screens are detrimental. Worried about critters, just check the flapper for lint build up. Low to the ground vent is an issue in a snow zone also.
Didn't know they had a dual safety system. Smart. Thanks for that info repairman. 
I could see where a low vent in the snow belt would be a problem. Carbon Monoxide can't escape a 4' snow drift. My vent discharges 10' above ground level. Lower Hudson Valley, NY.......... Natural Gas dryer. I moved it from 18" above ground level.
I could see where a low vent in the snow belt would be a problem. Carbon Monoxide can't escape a 4' snow drift. My vent discharges 10' above ground level. Lower Hudson Valley, NY.......... Natural Gas dryer. I moved it from 18" above ground level.