Dryer Vent Cleaning: 3 Reasons Why You Should Get Your Dryer Vent Cleaned by a Professional

The dryer is one of the most important appliance in most households. Sadly, it is also one of the most neglected. And if that neglect goes on from months to years, your dryer is basically like a bomb just waiting to explode.

Did you know that a clogged dryer vent is one of the leading causes of house fires? According to the National Fire Protection Association, clogged dryer vents have caused more than 2,900 fire incidents every year. Additionally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 320 injuries and 20 fatalities related to a dirty dryer vent. While the appliance is innocent, what you do and not do with it is to blame. So, we advise you to take the time to perform a thorough dryer duct cleaning so you can do your laundry in peace with no stress.

Dryer vent cleaning and regular inspection will help keep your dryer operating efficiently and safe to use for the years to come. Otherwise, your dryer vent will continue to get clogged with lint and debris. Over time, your dryer will become inefficient and eat a lot of electricity. Importantly, it will always carry the risk of going off any time.

Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning

If you’re already cleaning the lint trap regularly, you might ask yourself “do I need to clean the dryer vent as well?”

Well, the short answer is yes. You see, the lint trap captures some of the lint, but those that don’t get trapped can end up at the dryer vent. Cleaning the lint trap is just scratching the surface. Over time, lint can accumulate on the dryer vent system and cause a blockage. This is when the real problem begins.

Dryer vent cleaning is not just a fancy expense to maintain the appliance. It’s a necessity. You’re basically investing in your safety and the dryer’s efficiency.

1. Prevent Lint Build-up - A Notorious Fire Hazard

Dryer vent cleaning is more than just removing lint from the lint trap. You also need to clean the dryer vent because a lot of lint gets stuck there, too. Lint is a flammable material and when it clogs the vent system, the appliance is forced to work extra hard in higher temperatures. This is when the dryer threatens to ignite and cause fires, injury, property damage and even death.

2. Save Time, Money and Energy

One of the tell-tale signs that there’s a lint build-up in the dryer vent is when the appliance takes longer than usual to dry cloths. This could translate to more time required for the clothes to dry; more energy consumption and consequently, higher utility bills. You can expect to pay around 20% more in electric bills if your dryer is clogged. But if you invest the time and effort to clean the dryer vent, you could pocket this savings and use it elsewhere.

3. Prevent the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a valid concern if you own a gas-powered clothes dryer. The blockage of lint can prevent air from escaping and force it back inside your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can become a real threat especially if there is no carbon monoxide detector in the room.

Benefits of Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

As professional dryer vent cleaners, we know exactly how to clean dryer vent properly and it’s wise to invest in these services at least once a year to ensure the safety and efficiency of your dryer.

A professionally-maintained dryer ensure that all lint build-up is removed. We have the technical know-how in dryer vent cleaning and come equipped with special tools not just in removing lint but in addressing other safety concerns as well.

Lastly, you’ll simply feel confident about your safety if your dryer is inspected, cleaned and maintained routinely by knowledgeable dryer vent experts. We can spot other problems right away and correct them before they get worse, saving you from further stress and financial worries.

Now that you know how important cleaning the dryer vent is, we bet you’ll never look at your dryer the same way again. You’ll treat it with more respect. A clean and lint-free dryer can help you save some money from electricity bills; but more importantly, it will keep your home safe and fire-free.

Don’t Get Your Dryer Cleaned Just About By Anyone

Get it done by professionals who capitalize on experience, skills and equipment to do the perfect job the first time around. Remember, you’re not only paying for lint removal, but also for your safety and peace of mind.

Is it necessary to have my air ducts cleaned? Is it even worth it? Does it bring any benefit to my home? These are questions that many homeowners ask. You might be asking these questions yourself right now. Though you might want a 'Yes' or 'No' response, the answer is not as easy as the question.

In this Article we will help you answer the following questions:

· Is it worth having your air ducts cleaned, and when should you do it?

· Is air duct cleaning beneficial?

· Is air duct cleaning a scam? If yes, how can you avoid being scammed?

Is it worth getting your ducts cleaned, and when should you do it?

To many, it’s not that necessary to think about cleaning your air ducts.

Even the Environmental Protection Agency is not clear as to whether air duct cleaning is worth the effort or not. Though the EPA recommend doing it because of some benefits it provides, they are not sure of the exact impact it has on your home and your family’s health.

It is recommended to have your air ducts cleaned every 4-6 years, depending on the size of the house, number of family members, whether you have pets or not, how often you cook, how often you run the ventilation system, etc. These are some cases when you should get your air ducts cleaned.

· Moving into a new home.

If you just moved into a new residence, you should consider having your ducts cleaned. Even if the house is a new construction, the ducts could potentially be dirty from the construction of the house.

· Existence of dust and debris.

Dust and debris are the enemies of your HVAC system. Dust will clog up your air handling unit, and cause decreased air flow and efficiency and shorten the life of the equipment.

· Mold Growth.

When there is significant evidence of mold growth in the ducts and other components of your heating and cooling system, you need air duct cleaning. Remember, it’s not easy to detect mold. You will need a professional HVAC expert to do so. Lab testing is often required to confirm results.

Is it beneficial to clean my air ducts?

Not much research has been conducted to study the benefits of duct cleaning, but just because not much evidence exists to support these claims, does not mean the process is not beneficial.

· Improved indoor air quality.

· Improved air flow.

· No bad odors.

· Lower energy bills

· Increased life of your HVAC unit.

How to avoid air duct cleaning scams?

You should do extensive research on the company. Here are some things to consider:

· Make sure the company is NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) certified

· Check BBB (Better Business Bureau) accreditation

· Be sure to check if the company is properly licensed. Some states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, District of Columbia require state Home Improvement Contractor license, some others like Michigan and California require air duct cleaning license. There are states that do not have any particular licensing requirements for the industry: Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, etc.

· Check online reviews on reputable websites: Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Facebook, etc.

· Don’t fall for bait and switch ads. The cost for air duct cleaning can be $300-$1000, depending on a job. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.

Final Advice.

You will not need to clean your ducts every year, however it is necessary to take care of your HVAC system and make sure it does not get clogged or infested with mold. If you decide to hire professionals, make sure they are certified, licensed and insured.

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