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Using an Airflow Meter to Check Your Dryer Vent for Safety and Efficiency

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Entry posted by Samurai Appliance Repair Man

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In this journey into appliance repair enlightenment, Samurai Appliance Repair Man shows you how to use an airflow meter to analytically test the back pressure on a dryer vent for safety and efficiency. Looks can be deceiving, as this video shows, and even a short simple dryer vent that appears to be ideal can have airflow problems. So it's always wise to use a meter to actually measure the back pressure.

Here's the air flow tester I used in the video ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Tester/W10106710/1447456

Tester-W10106710-01179854.jpg

To learn more about your dryer or to order parts, click here.

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DurhamAppliance

DurhamAppliance

Posted

I got one based I think on one of your Christmas gift blogs a year or more ago but never used it. Imagine that! A working gadget that I haven't used. Guess I'll dust it off.

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RegUS_PatOff

Is this a first floor OR second floor Wall Vent ?

If a first floor vent, in a "snow-fall" area, the Wall Vent may be low enough to be blocked by the snow-fall / snow drifts.

also, here's a permanent "home use" LintAlert

click on picture

Tester-LINTALERT-01101158.jpg

Notice: Works on all dryers except those with booster fans, dual motor technology

and dryers that share exhaust systems like those typically found in high-rise structures.

http://www.lintalert.com/files/LintAlert_Instruction_Sheet.pdf

 

 

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

  • Team Samurai

Is this a first floor OR second floor Wall Vent ?

If a first floor vent, in a "snow-fall" area, the Wall Vent may be low enough to be blocked by the snow-fall / snow drifts.

 

Very good question/point. This is first floor laundry room and, being as how I'm a Professional Appliantologist, an' all, I had enough sense to check the exhaust hood for blockage. But not everyone is so well endowed and your point is a good one.

 

 

also, here's a permanent "home use" LintAlert

click on picture

Tester-LINTALERT-01101158.jpg

Notice: Works on all dryers except those with booster fans, dual motor technology

and dryers that share exhaust systems like those typically found in high-rise structures.

http://www.lintalert.com/files/LintAlert_Instruction_Sheet.pdf

 

 

The LintAlert is a good product as was featured in the January issue of the Appliantology newsletter. However, it's one limitation is that it's limited to gas dryers because it only accepts a 120v plug; cannot accept the 240v plug from electric dryers, like the one shown in the video.  

 

Great comments, thanks for posting them!  

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RegUS_PatOff

... it's one limitation is that it's limited to gas dryers because it only accepts a 120v plug; cannot accept the 240v plug from electric dryers, like the one shown in the video.

It can work with Electric Dryers, if the LintAlert is powered from the 120v Washer Wall Outlet.

Gas Dryer "limitation" mentioned at RepairClinic,

but not mentioned in the LintAlert instructions.

http://www.lintalert...ction_Sheet.pdf

Step Four

Move the dryer back into place and plug the alert module

into the nearest un-switched 110v AC power outlet.

 

Step Five

...

No 110v outlet near my dryer: In most cases, the washer and dryer

reside side by side, and the washer uses 110v. If the washer outlet is

hidden or too far from the dryer’s location, then the first suggestion is

to extend the tubing.

 

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

  • Team Samurai

Domo for clarifying that, Reg!  

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DurhamAppliance

DurhamAppliance

Posted

But the big question is whether the lintalert has cool buttons with blinking lights and stuff?

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NCARepair

Purchased the whirlpool tool. Very cool. You can always charge more if you can show em a device with a light. What are your thoughts on brands other then whirlpool dryers as mentioned in the instructions? Maybe get a base line reading with the volt meter for each brand without vent?

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NCARepair

Purchased the whirlpool tool. Very cool. You can always charge more if you can show em a device with a light. What are your thoughts on brands other then whirlpool dryers as mentioned in the instructions? Maybe get a base line reading with the volt meter for each brand without vent?

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

  • Team Samurai

You can always charge more if you can show em a device with a light. 

 

Yes, indeed!  I'm even offering dryer vent evaluations as a stand-alone service, $75.  I use the airflow meter, evaluate their system, make recommendations, and refer them to Dryer Vent Wizard for a $25 referral fee.  Makes the job an even Benjamin.  Then I use that as an opportunity to go fishing for more work.  "While I'm here, would you like me to do a free appliance inspection to make sure all your other appliances are operating efficiently and safely?"  

 

What are your thoughts on brands other then whirlpool dryers as mentioned in the instructions? Maybe get a base line reading with the volt meter for each brand without vent?

 

I think that's marketing hype from Whirlpool.  All dryers work the same way and I doubt this that little airflow meter, while certainly valuable and useful, is not sensitive enough to tell the difference between a Whirlpool and a Samsung dryer.  

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NCARepair

My thoughts exactly. I doubt whirlpool even made this,just hung their name on it. If this is measuring airflow for drying efficiency, then why the distinction between gas and electric? Anyway I like how you monetized it.

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

  • Team Samurai

 then why the distinction between gas and electric? 

 

That was a surprise to me, too.  Not sure why the difference.  And I would have thought that, if anything, a gas dryer should have LESS back pressure (more air flow) because of combustion products like CO.  

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NCARepair

I have a whirlpool duet dryer to replace the rear felt on monday. Rear felt is out so i will do a test with the meter with and without the seal and see what the voltage difference is.

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ol_lonely

I don't consider over $200 "inexpensive" but if I advertised "evaluations" maybe I could justify. I do clean vents , I could just use the meter to confirm they are clean and only clean it when the meter says it is due.  also I have referred several people to VentWizard, and never received a referral fee. maybe they didn't say who referred them. 

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