Why is My Dryer Drying Slow?

Is your dryer taking forever to dry your laundry?

Doing your laundry is probably not your idea of a fun time, but it is even less fun when it takes several cycles just to dry one load of laundry. Thats time you could be spending with friends, family and/or doing literally anything else. But why is it taking so long to dry  your clothes?

Your dryers drying time and efficiency is strongly reliant on the air flow through its back exhaust and your homes dryer vent. If this airflow is restricted in anyway, the hot wet air will stay in the dryer causing it to dry much slower.

Restricted airflow is usually caused by a blockage within the dryer vent. These blockages are typically made from lint build up in the vent, but can also be from birds nest and anything else that finds its way into your vent. Other possible causes of restricted airflow can be a pinched dryer hose or duct, as well as a possible separation within your dryer vent.

Not having the proper air flow through your dryer is a major problem! Not only will it make it take forever to dry your laundry, costing you energy and possibly damaging your clothes, but it could also start a fire! Dryer fires do to dirty or clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of home fires in the USA. This is why the Fire Department and the NFPA recommend having your dryer vent cleaned and inspected at least once a year.

Here are some tell tale signs your dryer vent may be clogged:

1. Takes forever to dry the clothes.
2. Your dryer is hot to the touch.
3. Lots of lint around the dryer vent hood outside your home.
4. Weird burning smell in the laundry room as the dryer runs.
5. Your house is on fire!

If you notice signs 1-4 turn off your dryer right away and contact a local dryer vent cleaning pro to come clean it out for you. If you notice #5, stop reading this blog, get out of the house, and call the fire department!!!

Don't wait till your vent is clogged to clean it. If its clogged, its overdue!

When picking a dryer vent cleaning pro we recommend making sure they have specialized camera equipment so you can see if they got everything out. If you live in the Greater Phoenix area in Arizona and are looking for a pro, visit us at dryer.joefilter.com.

Benefits of a Clean Dryer Vent!

When was the last time you thought about your dryer vent?  If you are like most people the answer is probably never.

Dryer Vents are seldom seen and rarely worried about, but they are a very important part of keeping a healthy and safe home, but what is a dryer vent? A dryer vent is the exhaust duct attached to the back of your clothes dryer.  This vent exhausts all the hot air built up in your dryer safely out of your house, so long as it's kept clean.  The dryer vent typically vents from your laundry room, to the side of your house or to the roof.

There are four main benefits of having your dryer vent cleaned annually.

1.) Prevent A House Fire!

This is the #1 reason to clean your dryer vent! According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), failure to clean ones dryer vent is one of the top 10 causes of house fires! This claim is backed by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission which states that over 15,000 home fires a year are caused by dirty dryer vents.  This is why Fire Departments across the USA recommend having your dryer vent professionally cleaned AT LEAST once a year.

2.) Save Energy

When your dryer vent is clogged, your dryer has to work a lot hard to try to exhaust its hot air.  This means your dryer will be using up more energy resulting in higher utility bills! Not only that but the overexertion of the dryer and high energy use can actually cause it to break down as well. Once your vent is cleaned your dryer will not have to work as hard, so it will use less energy.

3.) Makes Your Dryer More Efficient

You may have noticed that over time your dryer has been taking longer to dry your clothes. This too can be a direct result of a dirty dryer vent. When the vent has build up in it or is clogged, it makes it harder for the dryer to exhaust the hot humid air inside of it.  So all that heat and moisture will stay in with your clothes causing it to take much longer for them to dry. Cleaning your dryer vent annually will help prevent this problem from happening and have your clothes drying in no time!

4.) Pest Control!

Yup you heard me right. All sorts of critters, from bugs, rodents, birds and even snakes, can make nests in your homes dryer vent, especially in the winter time! These little critters love the warm air being exhausted and all the lint inside the vent makes perfect nesting material. Annual cleaning of your vents will help to get rid of any these nests, and help to inform you right away of any infestations.

If you are looking for a dryer vent cleaning or any other Healthy Home Services in the greater Phoenix area, be sure to check out our website!

Why Should I Clean My Dryer Vent?

When was the last time you had your dryer vent cleaned?

No we are not talking about your lint trap, we mean the vent in your wall that exhausts the hot air from your dryer to the outside of your home. If it's been over a year it's been to long!

Dryer vent cleaning is an important but often forgotten about home maintenance task. Your homes dryer vent is supposed to be cleaned at least once a year according to the fire department. Some homeowners are lucky and have their dryer on an exterior wall where they can simply push a brush a couple of feet and it's clean. Most homeowners however can have up to 25 feet of duct work they need to clean!

Why should I have it cleaned?

The leading reason to clean your dryer vent is that it is a major fire hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers, and dirty/clogged dryer vents, are one of the top 10 causes of house fires in the USA.

As you use your dryer, over time lint will begin to build up in the vent which can create blockages so that the hot air cannot exhaust out properly. With the build up of the flammable lint and the hot air not being able to exhaust properly, the vent and the dryer will start to become very hot. This heat can then cause the lint in the dryer and the vent to ignite and catch fire. As the vent is already in your wall it does not take long for this fire to spread throughout your home.  The best way to avoid this is to have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year.

What are some other benefits of dryer vent cleaning?

Another benefit of dryer vent cleaning is getting rid of unwanted pests that want to make your vent their home. Mice, bugs and birds all love to make nests in dryer vent (also a fire hazard) because of the shelter it provides and the warm air being exhausted through it.  Regular cleaning will help get rid of these nests and if they keep coming back most service pros will be able to help you with options to keep them away for good.

Regular dryer vent cleaning can also help you save energy, and extend the life of your dryer.  When your vent is clean and clear your dryer does not have to work as hard to push air through it.  This can help lower your energy costs while making your dryer more efficient at drying your clothes.

Who should I have clean my dryer vent?

It is recommended to hire a reliable local pro to do your dryer vent cleaning if your vent extends longer than just a few feet out.  This is to make sure that the cleaning is done thoroughly and with the correct equipment. 

10 Steps to a Healthy Happy Home!

Having a happy healthy home should be the goal of every homeowner and renter. The question now is how does one go about maintaining a healthy happy home?

The answer? Preventive maintenance, or as we like to call it Healthy Home Services. This includes but is not limited to changing air filters, cleaning your grill, dryer vent, air ducts and definitely replacing your water filters, and smoke detector batteries.

Here are 10 steps to a happy healthy home!

Step 1: Replace your air filters every month! This will help keep your indoor air clean and prevents your HVAC system from wasting energy trying to pull air through a dirty filter.

Step 2:  Clean out your vacuum every couple weeks or at least once a month.  Your vacuum takes care of some of the dirtiest jobs your home has to offer.  Keeping it clean will help make sure it keeps doing its job to the best of its ability.

Step 3: Change/replace any burnt out light bulb. This should go without saying since no one like tripping and falling or stubbing their toe because the lights don't work.

Step 4: Top off your water softener salt. Having soft water prevent scale build up in your hames plumbing and it is good for your hair and skin.

Step 5: Change your water filters. Most of the more common home water filter systems like fridge filters and RO systems are recommended to have their filters replaced every 6 months. Doing this prevents the filters from leaching and helps ensure your water stays healthy and clean.

Step 6: Change out the batteries in your smoke detectors every 6 months.  Not only is this recommended by the fire department to help avoid a tragedy, but it will also help prevent those annoying low battery beeps at 2am.

Step 7: Clean your dryer vent. A dirty dryer vent is an energy drain and a fire hazard. That is why the fire department recommends cleaning it at least once a year.

Step 8: Keep your grill clean. Keeping your grill clean by quickly cleaning after every use and by doing at least 1 deep clean a year. This can help to extend the life of your grill and keep it grilling in tip top shape. Plus nobody wants to see their burger coming off a nasty dirty grill!

Step 9: Have your air ducts cleaned. Most homeowners are unaware that the EPA reports air pollution levels inside our homes can be 2 to 5 times higher than outside. An air duct cleaning is one of the most effective ways to improve air quality.

Step 10: Install a Nest Learning Thermostat. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns what temperatures you like, turns itself down when you’re away and connects to your phone. This will help you save energy and will send you safety alerts to your phone even if you are not home!

Need help checking these steps off your Honey-do list? Visit joefilter.com or give us a call at (480) 813-9494!
Keep your home happy and healthy by putting it on Joe Filter Autopilot today!

Dryer Vent vs Lint Trap: Whats the Difference?

Dryer vent, lint trap, same thing right? WRONG! 

Many of us use our clothes dryer very frequently throughout the week but not all of us know about the importance of cleaning the dryer vent.  This is typically because many confuse the lint trap with the dryer vent.  Though both the lint trap and the dryer vent are equally important to clean, they could not be more different.

So what's the difference?

Lint Trap Cleaning

Lint Trap:

The lint trap should be looked at as the dryers first line of defense against lint build up. It is usually clearly marked and easily accessible.  Typically it's located right inside the dryer's door or on top of the dryer. The lint trap is used to catch the majority of the lint from your laundry before it gets into your dryer vent.  The lint trap should be cleaned out after each dryer use.

See the GIF to the right for how to clean your lint trap.

Dryer Vent:

Dryer Vent Location

Your dryer vent on the other hand is located behind your dryer and is connected to the vent via a flexible silver duct.  The dryer vent is the exhaust vent/ducting system that exhausts the heat from your dryer to the outside of your home.  During the dryer cycle lint from your laundry can sneak past the lint catcher and begin to build up in your dryer vent, even if you are good about cleaning off your lint catcher every time.  In about the span of a year (sometimes less) the lint build up can create a blockage in your vent.  A dryer Vent blockage can lead longer drying times, wasted energy, and even fires! This is why the fire department recommends cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year. If you are unsure how to clean it or do not have the correct tools, we recommend consulting a professional dryer vent cleaner.

If you live within Maricopa County in Arizona, and need your dryer vent cleaned call us at (480) 813-9494

To learn about our other in home services or our Healthy Home in a Box please visit JoeFilter.com.

Dryer Vents, a Forgotten Fire Hazard!

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer vent? If your answer is over a year ago you might be in trouble. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) it is recommended to clean your dryer vent a minimum of once a year. This is because lint build up in your dryer vent, combined with the heat from the dryer can result in a fire.

"Over 15,000 fires are caused by dryers each year." 

- CPSC.gov

That’s why it's so important to clean your dryer vent annually. Unfortunately many people don't know where to start. The first step to cleaning your dryer vent is to determine where your vent exits too.  If the dryer is located on a outer wall of your home you might be lucky and the vent will just go straight through the wall a few feet.  These vents are easy to clean by oneself, simply push the lint out of the vent to the outside.  Once done with that clean out the lint trap in the front of the dryer as well.


Now if your dryer is located on an interior wall most likely it will vent up through your roof, and you may want to seek a professional Dryer Vent  Cleaning Service for help.  They will have all the tools needed to clean your vent.  Having it professionally done by a reputable company will lessen the likelihood of any damage being done to your vent as well as save you from climbing onto your roof. When searching for a Dryer Vent Cleaning Service make sure to check the reviews of the company you are choosing to confirm they are a reputable service company.

An additional perk of getting your dryer vent cleaned is that your dryer will run a lot smoother and you might notice some savings on your next energy bill.

Due to being a fire hazard, it is extremely important to clean your dryer vents at least once a year. For more information about Dryer Vent Cleaning  visit JoeFilter.com or call (480) 813-9494 and schedule a professional dryer vent cleaning today.

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Energy Saving Tips

Right in your own home you have the power to save money, while at the same time conserving energy... 

By taking a few simple steps, you can help to reduce the nation's overall energy demand and put more money back in your pocket. If you decide to make larger energy saving investments such as solar panels and geothermal coils, the savings you will accrue will overtime pay for the cost of the improvement.  If you don't have the time or money to make these large home investments here are a simple tips on how you can save energy around your home.

• Change out air filters monthly. 

• Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs.

• Turn off lights and other electronics when leaving the room.

• Take short showers instead of baths and use low-flow showerheads for additional energy savings.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

• Have dryer vents professionally cleaned.

• Close blinds in the summer and open them in the winter.

• Have your air ducts inspected and cleaned.

• Cook outside on your grill more.

• Use a power strip for electric appliances that you can turn on and off.

Joe Filter can help you out with several things on this list.  For more information on how you can save energy contact your local energy provider.

Dryer Vent Cleaning for Fire Prevention

Are you overlooking a fire risk in your home? 

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Dryer Vents are seldom seen and rarely worried about, but they are very important part of keeping a healthy, happy, and safe home. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission there are over 15,000 home fires a year caused by dirty dryer vents. Eighty percent of these fires start with clogged dryer vents, and result in 15 deaths and 400 injuries on average annually. Lint and debris gets backed up in the vent reducing air flow. This can decrease dryer efficiency and cause fires. While a lot of homeowners are aware of the risks associated with dirty dryer vents not everyone has the time, proper equipment, or know how to keep their dryer vent adequately cleaned. Cleaning the lint trap in your dryer is a good start, and should be done regularly, but it is not enough to prevent a fire from sparking in your dryer vent.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution for such an important home maintenance task. Joe Filter offers a full dryer vent cleaning service for your home. Our service utilizes a heavy duty HEPA vacuum and rotating brush system to clean the entire length of your dryer vent and dryer exhaust. Our dryer vent cleaning system simultaneously brushes while vacuuming in order to remove built up lint and debris as opposed to packing it further up your dryer vent. The HEPA filters in the high powered vacuum prevent all the loosened debris removed from the dryer vent from getting into the air of your home. This process keeps your dryer running efficiently and most importantly, keep your home safe for you and your loved ones. To learn more about dryer vent cleaning call Joe Filter at (480) 813-9494 or visit us online at JoeFilter.com

Sonoran Living

We were on Sonoran Living this morning talking about our Healthy Home Services and the importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning... Check it out!