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February 11, 2009
Dryer Venting Outside
I purchased a unit in a new building last year. According to our building plan, all the dryers in the unit were supposed to be vented outside. They were not but, because they are electric dryers, this is not a fire code violation. What I'm trying to figure out is if it is worth it to fight to get something back for this (the builder has offered to pay the costs of amending the building plan).
Anyone have any idea what sort of value diminution I might have because of this issue?
Thanks
Comments
I think you are reaching a bit. That is, unless you want to calculate the savings of using a gas dryer vs. electric.
Posted by: cornetor at February 11, 2009 5:17 PM
It may not be a fire code violation but you will be pumping lots of warm humid air into your apartment, which in the winter may not be so bad, but in the summer it will be awful and could lead to mold problems. The value diminution should be what ever it costs to solve this problem. And I imagine this is not something that can be solved easily and elegantly otherwise they would have done it. I bet it will be expensive to fix correctly.
Posted by: Left Hook at February 11, 2009 8:06 PM
I'm confused, like left hook says you're pumping warm humid air into your apartment, full of lint! I might add. Does everyone have those fancy German dryers that don't need to be vented or are you all running a vent hose into those things with water. Neither the German dryer or the water thingie actually work.
Posted by: mod squad at February 11, 2009 10:42 PM
If at all possible get it vented, you will not like it in the summer. If it is a condo it should be in the condo plan. If it is he has to remedy it. If it's not take what you can get If he gives you too much grief, call the AG, they love this sort of thing.
Posted by: edifice rex at February 11, 2009 11:13 PM
You can also get an indoor venting kit, like this
http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/indoor-dryer-vent.do
You put water in it, which traps the lint somewhat. Sometimes it's simply not possible to vent to the outside since dryer vents basically have to be a straight line and cannot be too long. I find that this is a workable alternative. Heats up your house a little, which is nice in winter, but not so much in summer.
Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at February 12, 2009 1:42 PM
It is easiest to buy the Bosch Dryer that does not need to be vented. $600-700. They work well. Try to get the developer to pay for it or he will have bigger problems with the AG.
Posted by: aabklyn at February 12, 2009 4:04 PM
C'mon Frenchie, those things don't work, lint flies everywhere, and it's brutal in the summer. Demand that the developer remedy by venting outside.
Posted by: r1b2 at February 12, 2009 4:39 PM
So if I understand this right you do not have to vent an electric dryer, correct?
Posted by: ribant4 at February 13, 2009 3:54 PM
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