Electric Clothes Dryer Heat Recycling
Due to the fact that the cost of electricity increases more and more often, consumers are searching for new ways to help get the most value out of their appliances. One of them is the electric clothes dryer. Even though the consumption cannot be lowered, there is a device to make use of the heat it makes. This device is a dryer heat recycler. It has proven the first in the fight against spending too much energy. A heat recycler does exactly what its name indicates. It redirects the warm air coming from the household electric clothes dryer back into the laundry room. If your laundry room is in a cold basement this is an extra bonus and the heat is free.
It is very simple to explain how the recycler works. It uses the hot air from the electric dryer to heat the laundry room which implies that there is no need the room vent is open. Consequently, this lowers your heating costs. So, the air that you normally dumps outside can be redirected into the house, and all this for not more than $15. This is done by the plastic handle.
During winter the handle is adjusted to direct the hot air into the house while in summer it directs the air back outside.
The installation of the heat recycler is performed in a simple way. Usually, it is mounted to a wall after which it can be cut and reattached to the device, or beam behind, and slightly above the dryer console area. Make sure you mount it on easily accessible places; otherwise, nobody will clean the filter. Follow the instructions to maintain proper airflow direction.
Before you decide to buy it, check if the model you have chosen has two venting clamps. It may happen that some cheap models don’t include the clamps, what is an essential matter for a proper installation. Do not attach the venting sections to the recycler with duct tape as it may dry out and cause the venting to fall off.
There is a built-in filter screen in the recycler which should be cleaned just like the one inside the electric clothes dryer. We prefer the type that has a mesh screen filter as opposed to the one with a sock-like filter. It is just two dollars more, but the metal filter lasts longer and it is a lot easier to clean than the cotton type.
After you have mounted the recycler let it work to try it out. Let the temperature selector is adjusted to hot and start dryer. Let it run a few minutes. Test whether the air comes inside when the handle is in the winter position, and then change the handle to summer position. Go outside and check that air is freely released outdoors. If it doesn’t go, it is probably because the screen in the outdoor vent is blocked with lint, or because the vent cap flapper valve may be sticking. In that case, test all joints for air leakage. If there is a leak, tape joints with duct tape.
You are next required to clean the heat recycler filter every few laundry loads. Furthermore, turn the handle to redirect the airflow twice a year. As you have already noted, I am using the term electrical clothes dryer. It is not possible to use the heat recycler with a gas clothes dryer. The venting pipe of a gas dryer must not be opened or redirected. There might be small amounts of gas vapor in the outlet air of a gas clothes dryer. Hence, keep always in mind that the heat recycler cannot be used with a gas dryer.
TECHNICIANS HINT: Speaking from our own experience, you are advised not to mount the recycler directly above the start switch of the dryer. In that way you avoid being exposed to a blast of hot air in the face every time the dryer is started.
Tagged with: Accessible Places • Airflow • Appliances • Cheap Models • Clamps • Cold Basement • Consumers • Consumption • Cost Of Electricity • Duct Tape • Electric Clothes Dryer • electric dryer • Filter Screen • Hot Air • Household • Laundry Room • New Ways • Recycler • Recycling • Vent
Filed under: electric dryer
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Hi-
Your suggested use of a heat recycler [in the winter] implies that the room or area is naturally low in humidity. This is not necessarily the situation, although agree that winter’s the most likely time.
Suggest adding a caution to your write-up…..maybe including use of a hygrometer to measure humidity before and after, along with recommended max room humidity [~40%?]
Are there any electric dryers with “delayed start” timers? This would make it easier/more convenient to dry during the night which is the lower cost part of our day/night electric service.
Models???