Replace dryer vent to save heat, foil mice

Dear Jim: I just noticed when I was outdoors that my dryer vent flapper does not seal well. Are there any high-quality, yet inexpensive ones that seal better? Can I direct the dryer air indoors to save the heat? – Pat B.

Dear Pat: It is very important to install a tight-sealing dryer vent cover for several reasons. The dryer vent duct is a direct open path from indoors to outdoors. If the vent cover does not seal well, it is just like leaving a window partially open. This drives up your utility bills year-round.

Other less obvious problems are insects, mice, etc. that enter your comfy, warm home through the vent. If you ever wondered how mosquitoes get into your house during the summer, a leaky dryer vent cover may be the source. It may also be a source of pollen and mold spores that aggravate allergies.

Kits are available with lint traps for venting an electric dryer indoors in the winter to save the heat and humidity (check your local codes about this). NEVER vent a gas dryer indoors. The dryer stays attached to the outdoor vent, so you just flip a lever to switch from outdoors to indoors.

One of the best-sealing dryer vent kits is a floating cap design. I use one at my own home. It is made of durable plastic, so your children will have a difficult time breaking it. You can paint it to match your house or just keep its natural beige color. It extends out only about seven inches.

When you turn your dryer on, the pressure from the exhaust airflow lifts a lightweight plastic sealing cap inside of the unit. It continues to float until the dryer stops and then the cap settles back down. All of the internal parts are made of very smooth plastic to minimize lint buildup.

Another good option is a draft sealer kit that mounts inside the house where the vent pipe comes in from outdoors. In that location, the sealing flap is less prone to damage and degradation from the sun and bad weather.

When using one of these, you can cover the outdoor vent with a pest/rodent-resistant cover only or another standard vent flapper kit. Since there will be double seals then, inspect them and clean out the lint regularly. It is important there is not too much resistance that impedes the dryer air flow.

Be careful not to bend the dryer duct too sharply. If space is limited, install a flat expandable aluminum dryer vent extender and run the flexible duct from it. The dryer can then be placed only 3 inches from the wall.

If sealing the dryer vent does not eliminate the pests inside your house, consider trying an efficient electronic pest repeller. They use very little electricity. Models with sweep frequencies cover a wider range of pests.

Write for (instantly download – www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 621- buyer’s guide of 11 tight-sealing dryer vent kit and pest repeller manufacturers listing rodent repellers, coverage area, product details, and dryer efficiency tips. Please include $3 and a business-size SASE, and send to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.