There are many factors that contribute to the efficient operation of an industrial drying machine, such as load size and the quality of the ducting system. Ventilation is one of the most critical aspects of a drying operation but the importance of the dryer vent hoses involved in the process is often overlooked. The placement, positioning, and material composition of dryer ducts are essential in cost management, efficiency, and safety.
Why are dryer vent hoses so important? One of the reasons the ducting is so important is for safety. The leading cause of fire is clogged ducting, but 92% of all appliance fires in the United States are related to drying machines. These fires are caused when lint and material builds up within the ventilation system and the heat causes the lint to catch fire within ducting. Another issue caused by a poor ducting system is the increase in drying time. With a dryer exhaust duct that is poorly ventilating the hot air and moisture from within the washing machine, it can take a significantly longer amount of time to complete a drying cycle. This results in multiple outcomes that will cost a significant amount of the money. First, the extra drying time will be a drain on your utilities requiring more money to be spent on either gas or electricity to run the dryer. Second, this extra time is extremely rough on the media within the machine and causes the materials to age faster than they would have with efficient dryer ducts installed. Third, the extra operation time is extremely trying on the machine itself, creating the need to either repair or replace the machine sooner than is necessary.
“Neo 300”
“Silico-Fiberglass 550”
The quality of dryer exhaust duct products also has an effect on the quality of the air in the surrounding environment. When dust and lint builds up within a ducting system, it creates dust that will spread into the air. It could also have serious effects on a person’s respiratory system. To ensure that none of this lint will enter into the air, the point where the ducting meets the machine and any connection points between hoses should be inspected for air leaks. This is another reason it is important to have a ventilation system that features excellent airflow to prevent the lint from accumulating within the ducting.
The quality of dryer vent hoses relies on many factors, one of which is the types of hoses used for ventilation. For hot air ventilation, there are options for either semi-rigid ducting or flexible ducting options. Both ventilation options offer their own benefits. Semi-rigid ducting offers fantastic airflow and is also self-supporting. The self-supporting ducting allows you to bend and maneuver the dryer ducts without the need for additional support systems. The semi-rigid dryer exhaust duct products are made of materials that provide the ventilation systems with great resistance to the hot air exhausted from the drying machine. An additional bonus for semi-rigid ducting is excellent airflow. Since semi-rigid ducting cannot be kinked, there is no risk of a sudden stop in the airflow that could cause lint to build up in the ventilation and create a clog.
However, while the semi-rigid ducting is an excellent choice for direct dryer ventilation, it is not always the ideal choice when ventilation routes become too complex. It is common for dryer machines to be placed in a location that does not allow for direct ventilation. For these instances, you need a hose that can be easily maneuvered through tight spaces or long distances. For these types of situations, you would need to use a flexible dryer exhaust duct. Flexible hoses offer the added convenience of portability over semi-rigid ducting. When a drying machine is installed in a location that lacks straight access to the outdoors, flexible dryer exhaust duct products made of fiberglass, silicone, or polyester make great options. These hoses are designed to be resistant to both the heat and moisture that needs to be exhausted from the drying machine.
When installing a ventilation system for a drying machine, the key rule to remember is to take the shortest route possible. Using the least amount of duct hose footage requires the machine to work less to exhaust the heat and moisture and provides less space for lint to accumulate. Along with taking the shortest route, it is also important to take the most direct route with a minimal amount of turns. Because every situation does not present the opportunity to easily have a hose go directly from the machine to the outside without any twists or turns, it is important to utilize the right tool for the job. For a situation where you may want to run the ducting directly up a wall to the outdoors without any tight turns, semi-rigid ducting would be an excellent choice. The self-supporting nature of the semi-rigid ducting will allow you to easily place the dryer exhaust duct against the wall without the need of any additional support system.
However, if a given situation that requires the hose to be turned and maneuvered through various obstacles, then a flexible option that is non-kinking is the way to go. Whenever you are turning flexible dryer ducts, it is essential to inspect the ducting to make sure there are no kinks in the hose that may restrict airflow. If a ventilation situation requires that multiple hoses be connected together, it is important to have a permanent solution to connect the hoses. Many ducting solutions come with cuffs that allow the hoses to be connected. When connecting with cuffs, you must ensure that the cuffs are firmly secured so there is no leak in the air between the hoses. Finally, once you have the dryer vent hoses installed, turn on the dryer and check the outdoor exit point for blasts of air.
Once your drying machine exhaust system is installed, if you notice that it is beginning to take longer than it once did you must check for kinks and lint build-up. If you notice a kink within your flexible hose, you must straighten out the exhaust so that there are no kinks that could hinder the airflow. If the line is kink free then you may need to clear the ventilation system of lint. Clearing dryer ducts can be done on your own with a shop vacuum to clear out the lint or through a cleaning service that may clean the ducting with their own vacuum tools.
In order to safely and efficiently operate a drying machine, it is essential to have the right dryer exhaust duct products installed. With proper ducting you can be certain that your dryer is operating with minimal risk of fire and with maximum efficiency to prevent the waste of costly utilities like electricity and gasoline.