A portable dryer is essentially a smaller version of your regular dryer but more compact and user-friendly. It is often operated by blowing air through a heated coil into the wet clothes that tumble in a drum.
A portable dryer is also comparatively cheaper than regular dryers and has fewer venting options. Let’s find out how you could vent your portable dryer.
How Does Portable Dryer Work?
Some portable dryers that are available on the market tumble just like a regular-sized dryer.
When the dryer is plugged in, the electrical current heats up the metal coil inside the dryer which produces the heat.
Then a fan blows that heat into the main compartment of the dryer in which the clothes tumble. The heat is then distributed throughout the dryer which dries your clothes.
Another way some portable dryers function is by hanging wet clothes on the unit and then surrounding the clothes with a tube. Hot air is blown out through the tube which then cools the clothes.
Why Do You Need To Vent Your Dryer?
When we buy a dryer or set up our laundry room, there is always a concern about how we could effectively vent the hot air and moisture produced by the dryer. A dryer vent removes the heat and humidity generated by your dryer during every cycle of your laundry.
If you have a gas dryer, carbon monoxide along with other toxic compounds are generated by your dryer after you do your laundry. If you don’t vent your dryer then these harmful compounds mix with the air that you breathe in and may even lead to fire accidents.
Besides, the humidity and moisture released from your dryer are not good for your house or furniture as they can cause structural weakness and create molds. However, most of these do not apply to portable dryers since they’re electric.
You can either vent your dryer indoors or outdoors. An indoor dryer vent uses a filtration system to catch stray lint, and it vents the hot air into your laundry room instead of running through a wall or window.
This system of venting is suitable for apartments or condos where the scope of external or outdoor venting is limited.
Outdoor dryer vents, on the other hand, run through your wall or use a duct to carry that warm air and moisture straight outside and release it into the air. They are suitable for dryers with any power source.
Although this is recommended for those using gas dryers to expel carbon monoxide from the exhaust.
How To Vent Your Portable Dryer
To gain a proper understanding of portable dryers, we need to remember a vital point. This dryer has an electrical power source which also reduces the necessity for venting. However, venting your dryer involves much more than noxious gasses.
A portable dryer can be vented both inside and outside. Both systems have their own perks. So far we have discussed the ways of venting your dryer and the upside and downsides of it. Now, let’s take a look at how you can vent your portable dryer outside.
Venting your Portable Dryer Outdoor
Step 1: Attach the exhaust pipe to the exhaust vent that is situated on the back of your dryer. It can be attached in an up or down position, depending on the location and the way you went to vent your dryer.
Step 2: Connect a three-inch dryer duct to the exhaust pipe of your dryer. Make sure it is secured tightly and doesn’t have any loose ends. Use clamps or dryer vent installation tape to seal it tightly.
Step 3: After it is sealed tightly, vent your dryer duct out of a window or a door. Make sure that the dryer duct is well sealed. Attach a dryer vent cap at the end of your duct to prevent mice or insects or rainwater, snow, dirt, leaf, etc. from entering your house.
Venting your Portable Dryer Indoors
For those looking to vent their portable dryer indoors, there are many variations of vent kits available in the market. They are fairly easy to use and require less time to set up and maintain compared to an outdoor dryer vent and the vent kits also come with detailed instructions on how to set up the vent.
Caveat for Indoor Venting
Although portable dryers don’t pose much of a threat to indoor venting.
It is important to note that the indoor dryer venting method is not suitable for gas dryers as it may lead to a fire breakout.
This method is suggested if your dryer is electric only. There are still more risks involved as it increases the indoor humidity exponentially.
Some indoor vents can trap water and lint while also providing indoor heating, which only works for cold temperatures. It is recommended to approach with caution when choosing indoor venting systems for your portable dryer.
Benefits of Portable Dryer
Now that we have learned how to vent out portable dryers, let’s take a look at their benefits.
The most obvious advantage is their portability. You can store it away after every usage and take it out when you need it and move it around however you like. It also takes up a lot less space compared to a regular-sized dryer.
- The most obvious advantage is their portability. You can store it away after every usage and take it out when you need it and move it around however you like. It also takes up a lot less space compared to a regular-sized dryer.
- A portable dryer costs much less than a regular electric dryer. You can get the same results by using this cheaper alternative.
- A portable dryer needs less electricity to run so it cuts down on your electric bills. Another benefit is that portable dryers emit a very low amount of carbon, sometimes none, compared to regular dryers.
Conclusion
Portable dryers might be a convenient alternative to regular dryers, but their venting options are limited. This doesn’t raise an alarm for portable dryer users since they’re mainly electric.
This complete guide on portable dryers, their vents, importance, and benefits should suffice as a reference if you ever plan to buy yourself a portable dryer along with its vent.
