What is an Indoor Dryer Vent?

Dryer vents remove excess heat generated during the dryer cycle in order to prevent fires. An indoor dryer vent is typically used in spaces without outer wall access. Instead of running through a wall or window, an indoor dryer vent blows into your laundry room, using a filtration system to capture rogue lint. Because the entire system is contained within the home, it is ideal for apartments and condominiums where external venting is impossible.

Pros of Venting Indoors

Coming up first are the upsides of installing an indoor dryer vent over connecting a venting pipe that terminates outside.

• Lower installation costs

The amount you incur to install an indoor vent could be comparatively lower than what people usually pay to have an outdoor vent fixed.

In fact, some of the alternatives are incredibly affordable – think of DIY indoor vents made with locally available materials. Such as a bucket (to hold water to trap the lint flying all over).

That said, buying a system that requires replacement filters could make indoor venting costlier in the long run.

• It’s a small win for the environment

Though it may not be a very big win in the eyes of some people, an internally vented dryer cuts down on the amount of pollution you’re dumping outside (harming the ozone layer).

You’ll have helped the unsung green activists achieve their mission of limiting global warming in your own small way.

• You could spend less on energy costs coming winter

Fixing an indoor dryer vent kit in your laundry room rather than connecting your dryer’s exhaust port to a pipe. That sticks somewhere out can help make your interior toasty warm when those chilly winter months are here.

And that means a welcome drop in your winter heating bills..

Now, the hot – and now lint-free air thanks to the kit- will fill your laundry room introducing extra heating to your home with this method (no heat is being pumped outside after all).

And so, your central heating system will not be working as hard as it typically does leading to reduced power usage.

Cons of Venting Indoors

A quick look at the likely issues if you adopt an indoor venting strategy.

1. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get rid of high humidity completely. And there’s a real danger of converting your drying room into a sauna!
2. In the same vein, you know very well from our previous points that the overwhelming moisture will be the bane of your allergies and asthma. Since it makes mold (and other microorganisms) thrive.
3. A DIY indoor dryer vent filter may not be 100%. And there is a huge chance that lint will still be accumulating on all the wrong places.
4. The maintenance bit for the kits (and other indoor venting innovations) is also a bit concerning- you have to keep changing the water as you dry which is a tall order for most of us.