Dryer - Installation Information for Exhaust Ducting

See the individual installation instructions for model specific information including duct length recommendations and air clearance requirements.

 

Vent Type and Length:

  • Any dryer ducting used must be UL-listed. UL now requires that all dryers be installed with either rigid or flexible metal ducting. Rigid is preferred.

    • A UL-listed semi-rigid dryer duct can be used if the vent length is 8 feet or less. We have a semi-rigid / flexible transition dryer duct, part# PM08X10085.

    • UL-listed foil dryer ducts are only allowed under very strict criteria. For example, foil dryer ducts can only be used in lengths 8 feet or less. See your installation instructions.

  • Plastic duct work is no longer approved for a safe installation. The white flexible plastic ducts tend to contract over time where there is a curve and allow less than a 4" diameter at 90 degree turns. Lint tends to build up in these areas and has caused fires in some cases.

  • We do not allow anything other than a 4” round duct. Larger ducts reduce the air velocity and increase the opportunity for lint to “fall out” of the airstream and deposit on the inside of the ducting.

  • Vent length restrictions are much tighter for gas models because the heat source in gas dryers is below the unit instead of behind the drum. The cycling thermostats have to be located differently, so the tighter length restrictions help prevent premature tripping of these thermostats. Gas venting lengths have nothing to do with carbon monoxide issues.

  • A booster fan or DEDPVs (Dryer Exhaust Duct Power Ventilators) cannot be used or placed on an individual dryer's vent exhaust to boost airflow. It is not approved.

 

Learn how to replace the transition duct (vent hose) on your dryer:

 

 

Wall Cap Type and Location:

  • The vent cap is not furnished with the dryer but can be purchased at any hardware store. A 4" vent cap opening performs the best.

  • Venting straight up through the roof is acceptable; however, it is better to vent out through an outside wall.

  • Exhaust a dryer to the outside or an area where lint build-up would not be a problem. Dryers in a closet must be vented outside.

  • For personal safety, do not terminate the exhaust into a chimney, under an enclosed house floor (crawl space), a common duct with kitchen exhaust or into an attic.

  • It is necessary for an outside vent cap to have a cap that opens and closes as air passes through. This prevents wind and rain from entering the home. More importantly, it prevents small animals (mice, squirrels, chipmunks) from going down the vent pipe and nesting or storing food.

  • Never install a screen or grid of any kind in or over the exhaust duct. This could cause lint build up.

 

Internal Venting:

  • Internal venting is not recommended unless the dryer is made for internal venting.

  • There are numerous internal venting kits and lint trap kits available on the market. They are not recommended for use on GE and Hotpoint dryers. The concern over internal venting is for lint build up around the electrical parts and moisture damage from the humidity being pulled from the clothes.

  • If you must vent a dryer internally (we do not recommend this):

    • A Gas dryer MUST be vented to the outside.

    • Check local codes in your area. Internal venting is not allowed under some local codes.

    • If a dryer is installed without exhausting to the outside, a deflector must be used. The deflector resembles the vent cap on the outside of the house when venting externally. Its purpose is to deflect lint away from the motor. Current dryers do not come with a deflector.

    • UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) does approve internal ducting of dryers if they meet the space qualifications. There must be at least 8" of space behind the dryer to allow for internal venting with the deflector attached.

    • You cannot vent inside if the dryer is in a closet, bedroom or bathroom.

    • Internal venting deflectors/elbows for old dryers (including compact models) are no longer available (WE14X56 "standard" size electric dryers; WE25X28 compact, "standard", and "extra-large" electric and gas dryers).

 

Exhaust Location and General Information:

  • Dryers are not approved for installation in a closet or small room unless the dryer is externally vented and the doors to the closet have louvers. See the installation instructions for specifics.

  • Never terminate the exhaust into a common duct or plenum with a kitchen hood exhaust since the combination of grease and lint could create a fire hazard.

  • Dryers are shipped exhausted to the rear. See the individual features text or installation instructions for multiple exhaust option locations. Note that most gas dryers cannot vent to the right (facing the front of dryer) because of the gas location; check the model's specifications to verify which directions it can be vented. 

    • Note: The 14-A018 vent direction conversion kit is needed when converting the rear exhaust to a bottom or side exhaust on 5.7 extra-large capacity models only. This kit is available through local retail dealers only.

  • Exhaust location dimensions on a specific dryer model can be found in the installation instructions or the Quick Specs.

 

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