Dryer Booster fans ?

**Agu** · 07-17-2009, 06:11 PM

My dryer runs forever, gets hot and takes two cycles to dry clothes, and that's with a new clothes dryer. (Electric dryer if that's an issue)

I suspect it's because the 4" dryer vent is 25' long with 5 elbows. I've upgraded the dryer and checked the ductwork for obstructions (none) with no improvement.

Two options I've looked at are,

1) Tearing out the bathtub in the guest bathroom and installing the washer/dryer in that space. I'd end up with about 4' of dryer vent in that scenario. The Mrs isn't real thrilled with this idea even though I told her the old laundry room would have enough space for a whirlpool tub and shower. (and the plumbing is already in place

)

2) Installing a booster fan on the vent (most likely scenario).

Will a booster fan work? Any brands recommended if they work as advertised ?

**jimbo** · 07-17-2009, 07:15 PM

A vent booster will do wonders for you. FanTech makes nice ones. They have an air flow switch on them, so they turn on and off automatically as the dryer runs.

You might save the cost of the booster fan within a year or so, on the reduced gas and/or electric bill, from the dryer not running nearly so long.

**Agu** · 07-17-2009, 07:50 PM

I've been looking at Fantech, just wanted an unbiased opinion.

Now I'll have to get up at 6am on my day off to do the install before the attic heats up.

**FloridaOrange** · 07-17-2009, 08:22 PM

Have you had the vent line cleaned? A vent full of lint will create all those symtoms even with a new dryer and maybe especially with a new dryer.

**Agu** · 07-17-2009, 08:34 PM

As posted, I checked and cleaned the vent line. There was minimal buildup over the 25' with 5 elbows.

**jimbo** · 07-18-2009, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by Agu

As posted, I checked and cleaned the vent line. There was minimal buildup over the 25' with 5 elbows.

Yes, I believe if you check the dryer manufacturer's install spec, the 5 elbows on 25' probably puts you over the recommended. Air flow is the key to drying. With enough air flow, you could run a load of clothes with the heat off, and they would dry in time. No matter how hot the dryer heat is, without goo air flow, drying time is adversly affected in a big way.

**patsfan78** · 07-20-2009, 06:37 AM

Is there anyway to shorten the distance between the dryer and the outdoor vent? 25' plus 5 elbows is a lot. And most likely well over the recommended manufacturers distance. Elbows are most likely the equivalent of 2'-3' of pipe.

See if you can more the outdoor vent.

good luck,

http://www.hitechheat.com

**Agu** · 07-20-2009, 06:59 PM

Laundry room is in the middle of the house. Rerouting the horizontal line would only reduce the run by about 5' in the best case scenario.

**Thatguy** · 07-21-2009, 05:43 PM

I'd do some calculations first so you can select an appropriate booster fan; the dryer manuf. might have the formulas.

Or you could temporarily vent the dryer to the room [with all windows open] and see if the drying time improves.

Also check that the voltage & current consumption is within spec's. Mine takes 24A @ 240v.

**Agu** · 02-22-2010, 07:12 PM

Some follow up to this thread. Got the dryer fan DBF 110 and auxillary lint trap because the fan is within 15" of the dryer. Had to put the fan in the laundry room because I didn't want possible condensation dripping out of the fan in horizontal ductwork onto a finished ceiling. ( Also there were code issues with installing the booster fan in the attic that I didn't want to deal with.) The dryer fan works as advertised, drying time has dropped by 50% to 70% depending on the load.

Too bad a moron designed the lint trap. It opens/closes with spring clips. The Mrs can't get it opened to remove the lint screen. I usually do the laundry so that's not a huge issue. (Please don't revoke my "Mancard "

) In addition, lint drops on the dryer, floor and any clean laundry within reach every time the lint trap is cleaned.

**ballvalve** · 02-23-2010, 12:32 AM

No inspector would have allowed that installation around here. Seems to me the lint trap at the dryer should be adequate, and the "hidden" one a recipe for disaster.

**Agu** · 02-23-2010, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by ballvalve

No inspector would have allowed that installation around here. Seems to me the lint trap at the dryer should be adequate, and the "hidden" one a recipe for disaster.

Uhh the auxillary lint trap is in the laundry room about three feet above the the dryer and both fully accessible and within code. And No, the lint trap in the dryer is not adequate if the auxillary blower fan is within 15" of the dryer.

But thanks for your input ...............

**ballvalve** · 02-24-2010, 10:10 AM

Did you mean 15 feet? You are already 36" up. Stilll seems to me the aux fan should keep the lint in suspension for the run without the second screen. Probably the mfg's lawyers needed that added. Curious about how much lint you get on that aux screen? whats the cleaning ratio vs the one on the dryer? 1/1 , 5/1?

**Agu** · 02-24-2010, 06:44 PM

Yes I did mean to post 15' , good catch.

The secondary screen catches about half as much as the primary dryer screen. According to Fantech the secondary screen is to prevent lint buildup on the fan blades. From the lint removed from the second lint trap I believe them. Just wish it was more user friendly and less messy.