Is Your Dryer Vent Giving You a Cold?

Photo by permission of Creative Energy Technologies Inc.

How many times have you stood by your dryer and felt this cold air near your feet? Just opening up the dryer door immediately wakes you up from the surge of cold air that hits your face. For years I have been looking for some device that would stop the cold infiltration from my dryer vent. Those flimsy plastic shutter vents did absolutely nothing to stop the cold air. Half of the time, the louvers of the vent would get stuck in the open position and more cold air would pour in.

Winter is fast approaching many parts of the world, and it is time to start thinking about how to reduce those energy bills. Last year I installed this great energy device to stop cold air in its tracks and to give me back the joys of folding clothes again in my warm again laundry room. Okay, maybe not the joys of folding clothes but at least I am warmer. The device is called the Heartland Natural Energy Savings Dryer Vent Closure System DRY21000™.

“On conventional dryer vents, outside air enters your home through the exposed dryer vent, which means higher heating bills in winter and higher cooling bills in summer. You will be amazed at how much cold air coming through your dryer vent adds to your heating bill- and how hot, muggy summer air adds to air conditioning costs.

With the Heartland Natural Energy Saving Dryer Vent Closure System DRY21000™ you will never have to worry about these problems again – nor the problem of insects and small animals getting inside your venting ducts.The Heartland Natural Energy Saving Dryer Vent Closure System DRY21000™ can be painted to match the exterior of your home. It also can be used on most low velocity fans such as a bathroom fan or range hood fan.

·         Save Up To 10% on Energy Bills
·         Guaranteed to Keep Out Birds, Snakes, Rodents & Bugs
·         Requires little air pressure
·         Easy to clean
·         Sturdy, can be painted
·         High Impact Plastic can withstand extremes in temperature
·         Guaranteed
·         Installs in minutes
·         Fits standard 4″ vent pipes
·         Spring Kit comes with easy to install instructions. Convert the Dryer Vent to work for low CFM vents such as Range Hoods, Bathroom” (Via Creative Energy Technologies Inc’s website)

If you wish to see the energy savings derived from using this device in a 3 bedroom house in Minneapolis, Minnesota see the linked energy report. The savings amounted to $14 per year. However, your comfort level is priceless.

Make sure you follow the directions on how to install it and periodically clean out the lint. In addition, I sprayed foam insulation between the rough dryer vent hole and the Heartland Dryer vent to stop an air infiltration. Don’t do what I did when we installed it. Make sure your foam does not block the dryer vent! (See picture on “If I Knew What I Knew Now.”)

Additionally, a reviewer on Energy Federated Incorporated recommended using ABS cement to seal the assembly seams. According to the reviewer, you will need both ABS cleaner and ABS cement to seal the seams. I have found the laundry room to be noticeably warmer especially when I open the dryer door.

Why should folding laundry be such a dreaded event? Unfortunately, being cold will not be your excuse anymore. Does anyone know of an automatic clothes folder? Then I can clearly say my laundry room is a joy to be in.

Sources to buy the Heartland along with other great environmental products:

Creative Energy Technologies Inc– $15.25

Energy Federated Incorporated (EFI)–$15.50

Amazon.com and NextTag also offer this product at varying prices.