U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Proper Clothes Dryer Venting

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Clothes dryers vented directly to outdoors, except for ventless dryers equipped with a condensate drain

Scope


Local Mechanical Exhaust

 

Clothes dryers vented directly to outdoors, except for ventless dryers equipped with a condensate drain.

  1. Install dryer ducts to vent directly to the exterior.


Notes:

Clothes dryer venting tips

  • Do not use devices that remove lint and bring the heat back into the home.  This adds unwanted moisture to the house.
  • Do not exhaust dryers within 10 feet of the AC condenser to prevent poor HVAC operations.

Description


Clothes dryers vent about a gallon of water for each typical load of laundry. If this vent empties into a crawlspace, attic, or other building cavity, the potential for moisture-related damage is significant. Clothes dryers must vent directly to the outside using approved exhaust duct. Vinyl, nylon, and foil ducts are not recommended and if used will void the warranty of most dryers (Cranor 2005). These spiral duct designs often trap lint, which can clog the duct, requiring the dryer to work harder and longer to dry clothes and also causing it to increase dryer temperature. Not only is a poorly exhausting dryer less efficient, it can also be a fire hazard due to the flammability of the collected lint (NFPA 2013). The use of PVC pipe for dryer exhaust ducts is also not allowed per all standards and specifications.

 

Per the requirements of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) M1502, the clothes dryer exhaust duct should be made of metal with a smooth interior finish and a duct diameter of 4 inches. Short, straight, horizontal duct runs are the most effective. The duct length from the wall to the outlet terminal should be no more than 25 feet, including equivalent length for any fittings. Or, follow the duct length recommendations specified by the manufacturer (2009 IRC M1502 - See Compliance Tab). The duct should be secured in place and supported at 4-foot intervals. Avoid sags in the duct. The transition duct (the visible piece of duct connecting the dryer to the wall) can be up to 8 feet and should be listed in accordance with UL 2158A; there are some semi-rigid metal transition duct products that are UL listed. The exhaust duct should terminate outside the building at least 3 feet from any building opening and at least 10 feet from an AC or heat pump condenser. The duct termination should be fitted with a closeable gravity or automatic damper. A louvered damper is more effective than a single hinged door. No screen should be installed in the duct terminus (2009 IRC M1502.3 - See Compliance Tab).

 

 


How to Install Dryer Exhaust Duct

  1. Install a rigid metal (aluminum or galvanized steel) exhaust duct connecting the transition duct to the exhaust duct outlet terminal. The exhaust duct should be rigid metal 4 inches in diameter and no more than 25 feet in length or as specified by the duct manufacturer. This length should be decreased by 2.5 feet for every 45-degree bend the duct makes and 5 feet for every 90-degree bend the duct makes. Any joints should be installed in the direction of air flow.
  2. Support the duct at least every 4 feet, and at all joints. Avoid sags. Air seal any joints with foil tape.
  3. At the interior wall, connect the exhaust duct to a transition duct that connects directly to the dryer. The transition duct should be UL-2158A listed and should be no longer than 8 feet. Short, direct, semi-rigid metal transition duct is preferred. The ducts should be joined with clamps or foil tape, not screws or similar fasteners that can protrude into the inside of the duct and trap lint.
  4. Locate the exhaust terminal at least 3 feet from any door or window and away from the fresh air intake of a high-efficiency furnace, water heater, or any other HVAC intake. It should also be located away from air conditioning or heat pump condensing units installed outside. Avoid terminating the duct at the roof. If possible, locate the exhaust terminal so that the exhaust duct will run horizontally with a slightly downward slope (1/4 inch per foot) to reduce the possibility that condensation will accumulate (Cranor 2005).
  5. At the terminating end of the exhaust duct (at the exterior wall), install a backdraft damper. The hood opening should point down and should be at least 12 inches above the ground (Cranor 2005). A louvered damper is more effective than a single hinged door. No screen should be installed in the duct terminus. Flash and caulk the exterior wall penetration.
  6. Insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces, especially in cold climates, to avoid condensation.

 

 

The dryer exhaust duct should vent directly to the exterior in a short, straight line, via a smooth, rigid metal duct

Figure 1 - The dryer exhaust duct should vent directly to the exterior in a short, straight line, via a smooth, rigid metal duct.  Reference

 

 

 

At the outlet of the dryer exhaust duct, install a hooded vent with a louvered damper

Figure 2 - At the outlet of the dryer exhaust duct, install a hooded vent with a louvered damper.  Reference



Ensuring Success


Verify with a visual inspection that the clothes dryer vents directly to the outdoors or is a ventless dryer equipped with a condensate drain.



Climate


No climate specific information applies.



Right and Wrong Images



Presentations

None Available



Videos

None Available




CAD Images

None Available




Compliance


ENERGY STAR Version 3, (Rev. 6)

HVAC System Quality Checklist, Local Mechanical Exhaust. Clothes dryers vented directly to outdoors, except for ventless dryers equipped with a condensate drain.

 

DOE Challenge Home

Exhibit 1: Mandatory Requirements. Certified under ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3.

 

2009 IECC

This topic is not specifically addressed in the 2009 IECC.

 

2009 IRC

Section M1502.2 Independent exhaust system. Dryer exhaust systems to be independent of all other systems and convey the moisture to the outdoors, unless listed and labeled condensing (ductless) dryers are used.*

 

2012 IECC

This topic is not specifically addressed in the 2012 IECC. 

 

2012 IRC

Section M1502.2 Independent exhaust system. Dryer exhaust systems to be independent of all other systems and convey the moisture to the outdoors, unless listed and labeled condensing (ductless) dryers are used.*

 

 

*Due to copyright restrictions, exact code text is not provided.  For specific code text, refer to the applicable code.

 



Case Studies

None Available


References

  1. 2009 IRC—International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

    2009 IRC, International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings. 2009. Fifth Printing. International Code Council, Washington, D.C. 

  2. 2012 IRC—International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

    2012 IRC, International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings. 2012. Second Printing. International Code Council, Washington, D.C.

  3. Building America Best Practices Series, Volume 15: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate

    Baechler MC, TL Gilbride, MG Hefty, PC Cole, K Adams and CF Noonan. 2011. Building America Best Practices Series, Volume 15: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate. PNNL-20768. Prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Program.

  4. DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements

    DOE. 2012. DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements (Rev. 02). Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.

  5. Dryer Safety Tips

    National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 2013. Dryer Safety Tips. National Fire Protection Association.

  6. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements

    EPA. 2012. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

  7. HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist

    EPA. 2011. HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

  8. The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems

    Cranor, J. 2005. The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems. ASRH Reporter, April 2005. American Society of Home Inspectors.



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