Venting gas powered dryer to basement
We have a gas-powered washer/dryer (a one-unit stacking set) that vents to our basement. Our bathroom contractor told us this might be dangerous because anything gas-powered lets off carbon monoxide and must be vented to the outdoors. We have a carbon monoxide alarm in the basement that has never gone off after a year of…
We have a gas-powered washer/dryer (a one-unit stacking set) that vents to our basement. Our bathroom contractor told us this might be dangerous because anything gas-powered lets off carbon monoxide and must be vented to the outdoors. We have a carbon monoxide alarm in the basement that has never gone off after a year of using the washer/dryer. Does anyone know if this is in fact dangerous? Thanks for any input.
You are not acting wisely. There are good reasons why you shouldn’t do this and over time you will regret it. Introducing excessive moisture to a confined space is obviously bad. Think down the road. You must create some ventilation system to offset the pollution. You can’t use the space for human activity and you must seal it off from the living areas. You do vent your bathrooms, don’t you? You have to consider what you can store in this area. And lastly, the dryer will introduce both the moisture and the residue of the washing. This includes chlorine bleach. This can corrode the heat exchanger on a boiler/furnace. On some high-efficiency types the warranty is voided under this condition. This last fact I got from Consumer Reports.
I wouldn’t worry about the safety aspect of it. A powerful, high end oven burns as much gas as a drier.
Of concern should be the moisture you’re venting into your basement – it will make the space much more humid and can aid little critters such as termites and create a mold garden. Also humid air makes the drier much less efficient.
Venting outside is generally better for your health and your house.
We did this for a while and there was a CO detector about 10 feet away . Never went off (and it worksf. Running a gas dryer is no different than cooking on 2 burners. However, code says otherwise…but you’d have a riot if code says you have to vent cooking ranges.
So it’s probably something you want to fix sometime,but you won’t die in the meantime.
Venting into a lint trap bucket is common for electric dryers. CO forms when natural gas is incorrectly or inefficiently being burned. That’s why your car produces more during start ups from a cold engine… and very little when the engine is warm and tuned correctly. I would find a way to vent it out doors. Why take the chance.
I don’t want to be an alarmist but I think you are doing something that is very dangerous.
Why risk it? Just find a way to vent to the outside world. If you are wondering if its really dangerous, read this: http://www.nyp.org/health/carbon-monoxide-poisoning.html
As for the comparison with cooking gas, it is the same gas, but the volume of gas used is much much higher. Just to convince yourself, take the cover off and start your drier. You’ll find a 10″ or 12″ flame in your dryer in comparison to the little 2″ or 3″ high flame on your range.
This is really scary. Please don’t do it.
In terms of poisoning, it is not true. It is the same gas that is burned in a gas range or oven.
Oh, I wouldn’t worry about carbon monoxide, but I would worry about all the moisture you’re collecting in your basement.
OP here. We are venting into a bucket. It’s the gas issue I am worried about… supposedly the vented air has carbon monoxide. Thanks!
Venting outside is fine? What about moisture? Termites?