Cleaning Your Dryer Air Vent

A clogged air vent will gradually decrease your dryer’s efficiency and lead to more costly repairs such as blown fuses and damaged heating elements. If you notice damp clothing after the cycle is completed, excessive heat radiating from the dryer, or burning smells, you may have a clogged air vent. The good news is you can clean the vent yourself in a matter of minutes.

Start by pulling your dryer unit away from the wall to reveal the vent extension. Remove the vent extension from both the dryer and the wall outlet. If you have a shop vac, run the nozzle as far into the extension and wall as you can. The shop vac should suck out all the debris that’s built up over time. Do this every six-months to prevent any build-up.

Your dryer requires quite a bit of power to operate. Because it requires so much power, it is equipped with a series of safety mechanisms to prevent it from overheating. If your dryer is turning on and spinning, but does not heat, you may have a blown fuse, thermal cutoff, or high-limit thermostat. Damage to these areas is usually caused by restricted airflow from the air vent.

You can accomplish this repair yourself if you’re comfortable with more complicated repairs. It requires the large metal panel on the back of your dryer to be removed. You’ll also need to disconnect wires and screws, and use a multimeter to test each component to determine the specific cause. If you’re not comfortable doing this, give us a call at 318-517-4224 or visit our website at https://www.michatechappliancerepair.com/.