The first step in any home improvement project is determining which parts and tools you’ll need. When building your dream laundry room, a key task is installing a dryer vent. There are two styles—indoor dryer vents and outdoor dryer vents—that perform the same function in slightly different ways. It is essential to know the process of venting a clothes dryer to the outside.

What Is an Indoor Dryer Vent?

Dryer vents remove excess heat generated during the dryer cycle in order to prevent fires. An indoor dryer vent is typically used in spaces without outer wall access. It doesn’t run through a window or a wall. An indoor dryer vent typically blows air into your laundry room. It uses a filtration system, which captures the rogue lint. Because the entire system is contained within the home, it is ideal for apartments and condominiums where external venting is impossible. Some indoor dryer vent models, use water to trap lint from your dryer. Others use disposable cloth filters. Both need to be cleaned and replaced regularly.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Dryer Vents

While indoor and outdoor vents protect the dryer from overheating, they are not interchangeable. Dundas Jafine, one of the leading providers of air distribution products, stresses that indoor dryer vents should only be used with electric dryers—never with gas. Exhaust from gas dryers must be vented outside because it contains carbon monoxide.

Outdoor dryer vents, on the other hand, are suitable for dryers with any power source. This style runs through an external wall, ending in a dryer vent cap outside of your home. The opening can be a primary entrance for mice and other unwanted roommates, so be sure to securely hook up your dryer vent and select a pest-preventing cap. When the time comes to clean your external dryer vent, you’ll need to go outside to access it.

Neither indoor nor outdoor dryer vents should be connected to plastic dryer ducting, to avoid a potential fire hazard.

Finding the Right Dryer Vent: Safe Dryer Venting

To select the right vent model, consider your personal situation. Do you have an electric dryer? Are your washer and dryer stacked or side-by-side? Is there a sink in the vicinity? What is safe dryer venting? All of these things will help you figure out which style will work best for you.

If you have easy access to a sink, a water filtration system might be the best indoor dryer vent for you. Dundas Jafine recommends emptying and refilling the water reservoir after each load. The frequency may vary depending on the model, so always refer to your manufacturer’s instructions.

Nowhere to dump and replace water? An indoor dryer vent with disposable filters might be a better option. The BetterVent filter can be vacuumed multiple times before it needs to be changed. Remember to factor in the recurring cost of purchasing replacement filters.

Some of the best indoor dryer vents can be purchased as a kit with everything you need for installation. Look for a kit that allows dryer vent installation at eye level, like the Dundas Jafine ProFlex Indoor Dryer Vent Kit. It has a plastic mounting ring and adjustable clamps, making it very easy to clean and repair. The BetterVent also attaches to the wall and includes two spare filters. Next, learn about the roof dryer vent.

Benefits of Venting Dryers Outdoors

Venting a clothes dryer to the outside gives you some major benefits, from saving energy and to improving the indoor air quality. There is a slight problem with indoor dryer vents. If an indoor dryer blows moist and humid air inside the room, there is a big chance of getting mold growth.

Dryer Vent Safety Tips: Why Outdoor Venting Is the Smart and Safe Choice

Always follow these dryer vent safety tips for longevity and air quality.

  • Using indoor dryer vents can be a little risky, as they can attract moisture, leading to mold growth.
  • A proper outdoor dryer vent can mitigate the risk of fire. Rigid ducts would be best for this because they are not flammable.
  • You should check your vents periodically. Clean the lint filter to increase the efficiency of your dryer vents.

Sources:

  • NLM: “Dryer Vents: An Overlooked Source of Pollution?”
  • NREL: “Clothes Dryer”
  • InterNACHI: “Dryer Vent Safety”
  • USDE: “Dryer Venting”
  • USFA: “Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008 – 2010)”
Author
Mikayla Borchert
Mikayla is an assistant editor for Family Handyman, specializing in indoor and outdoor gardening, organization and décor. She has one cat and holds a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, she likes running, skiing, hiking and tending her balcony garden.
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