Is it OK to Vent Your Dryer In The House?

khorrell · 01-05-2009, 05:27 PM

I've heard that you shouldn't do that because it adds too much humidity to the house, which is bad for the drywall and other building materials. I don't think we're in any danger of that here in our dry, cold house.

Are there other reasons why it isn't a good idea? Thanks for your thoughts.

Kathryn · 01-06-2009, 08:19 AM

We vent our dryer into our house during the winter months, but there are a few caveats:

(1) we've got a carbon monoxide detector in the same room as the dryer to make sure it's not venting excess CO at the same time;
(2) the vent discharges through a lint trap and over (not into) a bucket of water
(3) we've got humidistats in a few different locations in the house to make sure it's not getting too humid.
(4) our house is somewhat older and not very airtight.

If you do this, it also helps to space out your laundry schedule and do a load each day rather than doing 5-10 loads all in one day.

Depending on your setup, it *is* possible to have moisture problems. However, there is less moisture in a typical load of spun-dry laundry than most people would imaging (about 1/2-1 gallon), and releasing that amount of moisture into the air over the course of an hour shouldn't cause problems in general.

khorrell · 01-06-2009, 12:45 PM

Thanks for your thoughts, Kathryn. Our home isn't very airtight either, and there is a carbon monoxide detector in the room. I need to put something over the end to keep lint from entering the air (and the heating system.) And a humidistat is a great idea!

Wildfire · 01-25-2009, 07:08 PM

You can secure a section of panty hose over the end of the dryer hose to catch the lint.

Here is an article on the subject.

01-05-2009, 05:27 PM	#1
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 608 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (85)	Is it OK to Vent Your Dryer In The House? I've heard that you shouldn't do that because it adds too much humidity to the house, which is bad for the drywall and other building materials. I don't think we're in any danger of that here in our dry, cold house. Are there other reasons why it isn't a good idea? Thanks for your thoughts. __________________ The Paycheck Chronicles "helping military families make the most of their paychecks"

01-06-2009, 12:45 PM	#3
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 608 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (85)	Thanks for your thoughts, Kathryn. Our home isn't very airtight either, and there is a carbon monoxide detector in the room. I need to put something over the end to keep lint from entering the air (and the heating system.) And a humidistat is a great idea! __________________ The Paycheck Chronicles "helping military families make the most of their paychecks"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Conair Gel Grips Ionic Styler Dryer - FREE	ff3636	Deals & Coupons	0	12-16-2008 03:48 PM
Is now a good time to buy a house?	queenoftheclick	Personal Finance	10	08-21-2008 04:47 AM
Recycling Vinyl Records - Bowls For Your House	amandajane	Frugal Living	10	02-27-2008 05:24 PM

01-06-2009, 08:19 AM	#2
Kathryn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (19)	We vent our dryer into our house during the winter months, but there are a few caveats: (1) we've got a carbon monoxide detector in the same room as the dryer to make sure it's not venting excess CO at the same time; (2) the vent discharges through a lint trap and over (not into) a bucket of water (3) we've got humidistats in a few different locations in the house to make sure it's not getting too humid. (4) our house is somewhat older and not very airtight. If you do this, it also helps to space out your laundry schedule and do a load each day rather than doing 5-10 loads all in one day. Depending on your setup, it is possible to have moisture problems. However, there is less moisture in a typical load of spun-dry laundry than most people would imaging (about 1/2-1 gallon), and releasing that amount of moisture into the air over the course of an hour shouldn't cause problems in general.

01-25-2009, 07:08 PM	#4
Wildfire Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	You can secure a section of panty hose over the end of the dryer hose to catch the lint. Here is an article on the subject.