How to Clean Out a Dryer Vent
Tools
These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.
Background
A clothes dryer, tumble dryer, or drying machine is a household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing and other textiles, generally shortly after they are cleaned in a washing machine.
Most dryers consist of a rotating drum called a tumbler through which heated air is circulated to evaporate the moisture from the load. The tumbler is rotated to maintain air space between the articles in the load.
Identification
Commonly encountered clothes dryers will share the features mentioned above and will be differentiated by the heat source and exhausting means. Some may also have a water connection that is used to produce steam in the dryer drum for fabric conditioning.
Heat will usually be derived from the combustion of fuel gas (natural gas or propane) or from electricity, either resistive heating elements, or an electrically driven heat pump.
Dryers using gas will have a connection to the household fuel gas system usually in the form of a flexible tube.
Dryers that use resistive heating will usually be supplied with electricity using larger size wiring.
Dryers that use a heat pump will have an electrical connection that may be larger or of usual household size depending on rating.
Some dryers are condensing dryers which remove the water vapor from the dryer exhaust and do not require an exhaust duct to the outside. Many dryers require an exhaust duct to carry the heated, moist air to the outdoors.
Types
- Traditional dryers
- Microwave dryers
- Spin dryers
- Condenser dryers
- Heat pump dryers
- Mechanical steam compression dryers
- Convectant dryers
- Solar clothes dryers