Everyone wants to keep their appliances in the best shape possible. However, there’s one important maintenance task that homeowners in Spring, Texas, and the surrounding areas, may overlook: dryer vent cleanings. At Royal Appliance Parts & Service Inc., we know that a yearly dryer vent cleaning can benefit both your dryer and your home, so we’ve laid out the top 5 reasons why you should never skip an annual cleaning:
1. Dryer Vent Cleanings Keep You Safe
When your dryer is running, a large amount of heat is accumulated. When this heat is combined with flammable lint, it can easily lead to a fire. Should a fire occur, clogged dryer vents can also prevent the fumes from being released outside, meaning the gasses and carbon monoxide can get trapped in your home, making for an even more dangerous situation. Avoid these hazards by keeping up with your yearly dryer vent cleanings.
2. Dryer Vent Cleanings Prevent Mold Buildup
The purpose of your dryer vent is to allow moisture and hot air to exit your home. However, the moisture can sometimes lead to wet patches in the tubes of your vents. If lint sticks to these wet spots and builds up over time, it could create a moldy mess. If you notice a moldy or mildew smell, it can be an indicator that mold has built up in your vents, and its past time for your yearly cleaning.
3. Skipping Your Annual Dryer Vent Cleaning Could Increase Your Energy Bill
Tired of a sky-high energy bill? Having your dryer vents cleaned annually could help reduce your energy costs. Dirty, clogged vents result in a less efficient drying cycle, meaning your clothes have to go through more than one cycle to get completely dried. The lint and buildup in your vents don’t allow the amount of hot air needed to reach your dryer. Save some money on your energy bill by maintaining a yearly cleaning schedule with your local appliance company.
4. Cleaning Your Dryer Vents Yearly Extends the Life of Your Dryer
As previously mentioned, clogged dryer vents often result in the need for multiple drying cycles for one load of clothes. Because of this, your dryer is actually working double time each time you do your laundry. Over time, this can lead to strain on your dryer and eventually lead to the machine breaking down. Yearly vent cleanings extend the overall lifespan of your dryer, meaning you won’t have to invest in a new machine nearly as often.
5. Dryer Vent Cleanings Can Prevent Critters from Nesting in Your Vents
Believe it or not, a dirty dryer vent is an appealing home for many household pests, like rodents. Dryer vents that are only covered by a metal flap allow easy access for small animals to enter. These animals are drawn to the warmth, along with the soft lint, and choose to nest in the vents. This can lead to droppings and nesting materials becoming lodged within your dryer vents, along with the buildup of lint and dust. Keep your vents pest-free by eliminating the lint buildup with a regular dryer cleaning.
6. Dryer Vent Cleanings Prevent Dryer Parts from Failing
Skipping yearly dryer vent cleanings may also cause important components within your dryer to fail. When a large amount of lint has built up within the vents, the dryer can overheat. This can cause problems with parts such as the thermal fuse, element, and coils. If these essential parts fail, your dryer will not be usable until repairs can be done on the machine.
While often overlooked, a yearly dryer vent cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance. For professional, thorough dryer vent cleanings in the Spring, Texas and the surrounding areas, give Royal Appliance Parts & Service Inc. a call at (281) 350-6605.