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How Much Is Dryer Vent Cleaning in 2024?

man using dryer

A dryer vent is a long, flexible metal pipe that carries the hot air from your dryer to the outside of your house. It’s located in or near the wall or ceiling of your laundry room. In other words, it’s the exhaust pipe for your tumble dryer. A dryer vent system ensures that the hot air produced by the tumble dryer escapes the house properly.

If there are blockages in this system, hot air gets trapped inside the home. This can cause severe problems, so it requires regular cleaning to continue expelling excess heat outside. You can clean it on your own or hire a professional cleaner to do it. Either way, you want to know how much it costs. We’ll tell you how much dryer vent cleaning will cost you in this handy guide. So, let’s get right into it!

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The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning

A dryer vent is just like any other part of your home. It needs regular cleaning to avoid damage and ensure it’s in good working condition.

Here are several reasons you should have your dryer vent cleaned:

  • It Prevents Fires – Fires aren’t only caused by combustible materials. They’re also caused by improper airflow around hot surfaces like your clothes dryer’s heating element. Lint builds up in the exhaust ducts and restricts airflow. If left untreated for too long, lint can overheat and catch fire.
  • It Reduces Your Utility Bill – When your dryer isn’t working as it should, it uses more energy than it needs to. Lint in your dryer vent increases your energy bill. If you have a clogged dryer vent, there’s no way for hot air or moisture to escape from inside your home during the drying process. The clothes will even take longer to dry. As a result, you will use more energy to remove excess moisture. That’ll lead to higher utility bills. You can avoid this problem and reduce your monthly utility bills by having your dryer vent cleaned regularly.
  • It Improves Indoor Air Quality – Lint can build up in your dryer’s exhaust pipes and vents with time, causing several problems, including decreased airflow. When airflow is restricted, it can lead to higher heat levels inside your dryer. This then leads to excess moisture being released into your home’s air supply. Moisture can lead to mold growth and cause respiratory problems, such as allergies or asthma attacks.
close up of a dirty dryer vent
Image Credit: Greenseas, Shutterstock

How Much Does Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost?

Professional dryer vent cleaning can be expensive, but it’s worth it. The cost is anywhere between $100–$200. This includes the total cost of the materials and labor. But, these costs vary, depending on several factors we’ll discuss later in this guide.

Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost by Problem

Every issue has a different solution. The most common issues with dryer vents include clogging, wet lint, and bird nests. Some problems are easier to handle than others. Here’s how much it’ll cost you to tackle each problem in your dryer vent:

Issue Professional Cost
Clogging $100–$200
Wet Lint $100–$300
Bird Nests $150–$400
Dryer Lint Trap
Image Credit: David Smart, Shutterstock

Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Depending on the Service

Service Cost Range What It Entails
General Cleaning $100–$200 Cleaning every part of the dryer vent
Cleaning the Air Ducts $270–$490 Clearing all parts of your home’s forced air system

Getting rid of debris and dirt from your home’s HVAC system

 

Inspecting the Vent $30–$60 Ensuring the vents work well and there’s no damage to the system
Installing or Rerouting the Vent $200–$500 Relocating vents installed in risky locations
Bird Guard $30–$100 Installing a guard to prevent creatures from building a dwelling in your dryer vent
Disinfectant Fogging $50–$100 Applying disinfectant fog to your dryer vent
Lint Alert Monitoring $170–$250 Monitor temperature and airflow by installing lint warning systems at the back of the dryer

Cost of DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning

The only thing you need for DIY dryer vent cleaning is to buy a dryer vent cleaning kit. This typically costs $20–$70. Most models are mounted to a drill to clean solid vent ducts. While this might seem like the easiest solution, there are several instances where you should hire expert cleaners to do the job for you. They include:

  • If your dryer vent is installed on the roof
  • If your vent has many 90-degree turns
  • If you have a complex installation
dryer vent interior
Image Credit: Lost_in_the_Midwest, Shutterstock

Extra Costs to Expect

  • Time: Time is crucial when determining the cost of cleaning your dryer vent. The longer it takes to clean your ducts, the more expensive it’ll be. If you have older vents that need replacement or repair, this can add even more time to the process.
  • Cleaning Frequency: The price of a dryer vent cleaning is directly related to the frequency of the cleaning. The longer you wait to get your dryer vent cleaned, the more lint it accumulates and the more challenging it is to remove.
  • External Interruptions: If you have a roof vent, creatures like birds can make nests in it. After all, it’s protected and warm. Cleaning the debris that birds use to build their nests is challenging, thus increasing the price.
  • Vent Type and Length: The type and length of the venting system you have will affect the cost of cleaning. If you have a flexible plastic hose, the cost will be lower than if it has rigid metal ducts. On the other hand, longer vents take more time to clean and can become heavy when full of lint.
handyman fixing dryer door
Young handyman fixing washing machine, closeup. Laundry day

Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning

  • Clothes Take a Long Time to Dry: If clothes take longer than usual to dry, your lint filter needs cleaning. The drying process takes longer because there is less air flowing through and the clothes do not get hot as fast as they should.
  • Overheating in the Clothes Dryer: Another common sign of lint build-up in the dryer vent is overheating. It can damage the machine if left unchecked for too long. So, ensure you clean the dryer vent occasionally.
  • Burning Smell: If you notice an acrid smell coming from inside your clothes dryer, this may indicate there’s lint blocking the airflow through the vent. It can lead to overheating and be a fire risk.
woman put towel in dryer
Image Credit: brizmaker, Shutterstock

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

It’s a good idea to have your dryer vent cleaned once a year. However, if you have pets or allergies, clean it twice a year. The frequency of cleaning will also depend on how often you use your clothes dryer and how much lint builds up in the vent.

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Conclusion

It’s crucial to keep all your home equipment in good shape, including your clothes dryer. While it may not seem a big deal, your dryer vents need regular cleaning to prevent any dangerous conditions and ensure the safety of your family. Keeping the dryer vent clean will reduce your energy costs in the long run.


Featured Image Credit: Zivica Kerkez, Shutterstock

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