When it comes to choosing between an indoor dryer vent and an outdoor dryer vent, homeowners often find themselves contemplating the pros and cons of each option. Today, our technicians at Power Vac of Ottawa will detail the points you should consider.
Indoor Dryer Vents
An indoor dryer vent captures and filters the hot air and lint produced during the drying process of a clothes dryer. The indoor dryer vent is designed to be installed inside the home, typically in a laundry room or a utility closet. It can allow for convenient and efficient venting of the dryer without the need for an external venting system.
This can be useful in situations where installing an outdoor vent is not feasible or desirable, such as in apartments or older homes.
Outdoor Dryer Vents
Outdoor dryer vents work by allowing hot air and moisture from the dryer to be expelled outside the house. The vent is typically connected to a duct that leads to the outside, ensuring that the heat and moisture do not linger indoors.
This helps prevent mold growth and excessive humidity in the laundry area.
But Don't All Dryers Have to Be Vented Outside?
While it is true that most dryers do need to have a vent to the outside, there are now options available that do not require an external venting system. These types of dryers use technology to condense the moisture from the clothes into water, which can then be drained or collected in a reservoir. This allows for greater flexibility in terms of dryer placement and eliminates the need for outdoor venting in certain situations.
What's the Difference Between an Indoor & Outdoor Dryer Vent?
The main differences between an indoor and outdoor dryer vent are the location and the method of venting. An outdoor dryer vent is typically located on the exterior wall of a home and allows the hot air and moisture from the dryer to be expelled outside.
On the other hand, an indoor dryer vent is installed inside the home and uses a system to capture and filter the hot air and moisture before releasing it back into the room. Indoor vents are often used in situations where outdoor venting is not possible or practical, such as in apartments or homes without access to an exterior wall.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Dryer Vents: Pros and Cons
Below, we'll list some of the pros and cons of indoor versus outdoor dryer vents.
Indoor Dryer Vents
The pros of indoor dryer vents are that they:
- Reduce the amount of pollutants you're throwing outside
- Are an easy and low-cost installation
- Can keep your laundry room and other parts of your house warm during the winter.
The cons of indoor dryer vents are that they:
- Can't be used with gas dryers
- Can become clogged with lint
- Keep pollutants inside the home instead of expelling them outside
- If the dryer isn't vented properly, it can force carbon monoxide into the home
Outdoor Dryer Vents
The pros of outdoor dryer vents are that they:
- Improve indoor air quality
- Prevent mould and mildew growth in the laundry room (or wherever you have the dryer)
- Reduce fire hazards.
And finally, the cons of outdoor dryer vents are that they:
- Require periodic cleaning to maintain proper functionality
- Are susceptible to extreme weather, like snow, hail or rain
- May use more energy if clogged