Are All Dryer Vents The Same Size

Despite looking like, not all dryers in addition to later on non all dryer vents are the same. However, there are a number of specifications, including those pertaining to size, that dryer vents involve to encounter when installed.

Read on to discover out what these specifications are as well as what bear on it could have when installing your novel dryer.

In the USA, where the IRC is adopted equally the master residential edifice code, dryer vents are required to be four". However, non all conform to this. There are risks linked to using ducts that are besides large or also small for your dryer’sec blower motor, so it’s best to stick to the manufacturer-recommended size.

United States Conforms to IRC

The International Residential Code (IRC), is used to ensure that appliances like your dryer are installed every bit safely as possible. The IRC specifies the dryer vent diameter too regulates its length together with is, so, an essential document, along with your dryer manual, to consult when installing your dryer.

Although the IRC is applicable throughout the United States of America, local guidelines may differ. It is, thus, important that y'all too consult your local edifice codes to ensure that your dryer is installed according to the regulations inward your country.

If your dryer does non adapt to your local IRC, then y'all may live looking at a fine or fifty-fifty having to uninstall in addition to reinstall your dryer to match in amongst safety standards.

Dryer Vents Should Have a iv″ Diameter

Section M1502.four.1 of the IRC says that exhaust ducts must be 4″ (102 mm) inwards diameter. 

The diameter of a duct influences the effectiveness of the dryer’s blower, which would take been designed for role alongside a code-compliant duct, and the power to properly vent the exhaust outside. In addition, the hose attachment for nearly dryers should also be designed to agree the four″-diameter hose.

However, just because it should live four″ in diameter doesn’t hateful that it is. So, I cannot order that all dryer vents are 4″; they merely should be.

What Happens if Smaller Ducts Are Used?

If smaller pipes are attached to the dryer by fashion of an adapter, it way higher pressure level. In a duct, y'all have velocity force per unit area (air movement) too static pressure (resistance to air movement).

Reducing the duct diameter increases the static force per unit area, as well as the blower motor has to work harder to overcome this as well as generate plenty velocity pressure level to act the air. This reduces the effectiveness of venting, increases drying time, creates more estrus in the appliance, in addition to reduces the dryer’second lifespan.

In improver, a pipe alongside a smaller diameter tin more than easily go clogged alongside dryer lint. Lint is flammable, and when it accumulates in the duct, it reduces the dryer’s power to expel heat. This tin movement dress to fire or can fifty-fifty atomic number 82 to a burn down in the dryer itself. 

What Happens if Larger Ducts Are Used?

Now that you know a smaller duct inhibits proper airflow, y'all tin’t swing the other fashion, thinking that a larger duct volition make your dryer super-efficient. The blower motor is notwithstanding alone designed to push air through a four″ hose.

If the hose was wider, so yeah, the duct’sec static pressure level would decrease, merely and so would the velocity pressure, reducing the effectiveness of ventilation.

Think virtually it similar this, if y'all blow air through a drinking straw, you tin experience your breath if you concur your manus at the other terminate of the straw. If you lot were to accept the same length of PVC plumbing piping in addition to you were to blow amongst the same strength, you lot would non experience the air nigh and so strongly.

Ensuring right vent diameter as well as hose fitment encourages effective airflow, quickens drying times, in addition to makes certain that the dryer works efficiently. Ultimately, you salve electricity, extend the dryer’s life, and avoid overextending your pocket! 

Dryer Hose Won’t Fit Over Wall Vent: What to Do

Once over again, but because the ducts too connectors should be iv″ doesn’t mean that they are too you lot may be dealing amongst a dryer hose that won’t agree over the dryer vent. This oft happens when trying to correspond an older hose inwards a new dryer or a novel hose in an older dryer.

The alone existent solution to this, despite what yous may read out there, is to supplant the hose.

If your hose is slightly also large for the vent, yous may live able to try 1 of the following:

• Flexible hose: clamp it around the metallic vent using a dryer vent clamp _{^{(amazon link)}}. 
• Non-flexible hose: purpose silicone caulk _{^{(amazon link)}} to fill up in the gap between the vent too the dryer.

If the flexible hose is also brusque, yous can lengthen it past stretching out the pleats. But, you are non allowed to join ii pipes together to brand the transition duct longer every bit this contravenes the “unmarried length” requirement set out inward the IRC.

Please bank bill that when flexible hose is mentioned, this is solely referring to the transition ducts. The balance of the dryer ductwork has to be rigid, shine metallic.

If your dryer hose is as well small for your vent, replacing the hose is the entirely pick you lot take. 

Dryer hoses are not built for expansion, then it may be frequently more difficult to manoeuver, as well as trying to open the hose with your fingers may movement more than damage than anything else. It is ofttimes safer in addition to easier to buy a hose that is compatible amongst your novel dryer.

Allowable Length of Dryer Ducts

Dryer ducts go through the home to exhaust the air from the dryer outide of the household. 

Section M1502.four.vi says that:

“The maximum developed length of a dress dryer exhaust duct shall not transcend 35 feet from the dryer location to the wall or roof final result.”

This excludes the transition duct, just the transition duct tin only live up to eight feet long (Section 1502.four.3).

For every bend or elbow added, the maximum length of the duct is reduced by the dimensions institute inward Table M1502.four.half dozen.i. This is because these turns tin confine airflow in addition to, ultimately, be the drive of dryer fires. 

A twain of exceptions be:

1. If the manufacturer’s recommendation allows for a longer exhaust vent, it volition almost probable be accepted despite the restriction of the IRC. 

2. The IRC volition let for larger bends to live installed as long as it complies amongst functioning technology calculations under the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, still, this is not recommended. 

Sources

https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/ashrae-handbook/ashrae-handbook-online

https://www.nachi.org/dryer-vent-condom.html