News Reports

Expert Advice for Cutting Energy Bills; Regular Dryer and Vent Maintenance Key -- Dryer Vent Wizard Offers Tips

Aug 10, 2007


WARREN, Mich., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeowners who think it's normal for their dryer to take more than one cycle to dry clothes -- think again. Lint accumulation or blockage in the vent is a known cause of dryers running inefficiently, says Greg Longe, managing partner, Dryer Vent Wizard (DVW), Dry Clothes, Safe Homes, the largest chain of dryer vent specialists in the U.S.

"While consumers are aware of the need to conserve energy, they are still unaware that yearly dryer and dryer vent maintenance can help cut energy bills as well as prevent dryer fires," says Longe.

The average home spends about $1900 on energy costs every year, according to research conducted by Energy Star, a program managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy.

"With energy costs rising, educating customers is as important as providing dryer vent solutions," says Longe who along with partner John Lynch manage a nearly 50 franchisee network specializing in dryer vent cleaning, replacing vents made of flammable material, repairing and altering vents for residential and commercial clients.

Longe shares these maintenance "tips" to keep dryers running efficiently and reduce energy consumption and costs:

• Be sure that dryer vent systems are up to code with city, state and manufacturer.
  
• Have dryer vents professionally cleaned and inspected annually
  
• Clean lint traps before and after drying a load.
  
• Dry similar types of fabrics together. Lower dryer temperatures may be used for certain clothes.
  
• Keep the clothes dryer outside exhaust clean. A clogged exhaust lengthens drying time.
  
• Avoid two washings by pre-soaking heavily soiled garments.
  

"Consumers who follow these guidelines will find their clothes dryer takes less time to dry clothes saving time and money," says Longe.

In addition to conserving energy, dryer manufacturers, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), advise annual dryer and dryer vent maintenance to prevent dryer fires, a leading cause of homes fires in the U.S.

Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes was founded in 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts by David Lavalle as a solution to dryers running inefficiently or not at all due to lint accumulation in the dryer vent.