Clothes dryeer as heat source

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I have an electric dryer and a cold garage. The dryer vent pipe is in the garage wall. I was thinking about putting in a diverter flap like a fireplace flue, that could redirect dryer vent heat to the garage, or go the normal path depending on how I set it.

How about a heat exchanger?

[Datawiz]

I had to put an air conditioner in my garage.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

How about a heat exchanger?

There are a lot of other solutions. I have space heaters etc. I was wanting to take advantage of something that is already running and already generating heat...but wasting 100% of it.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by datawiz

I had to put an air conditioner in my garage.

I've considered it.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I've considered it.

Get a mini-split that has air and heat!

[Mick]

Originally Posted by datawiz

I had to put an air conditioner in my garage.

Originally Posted by aerovette

I've considered it.

I built myself a home weight room in my garage in 2020. That year, I gutted it out through July and August, but it was miserable. 2021 I bailed on lifting in July through September. I am seriously considering a small window AC unit for the coming summer.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I have an electric dryer and a cold garage. The dryer vent pipe is in the garage wall. I was thinking about putting in a diverter flap like a fireplace flue, that could redirect dryer vent heat to the garage, or go the normal path depending on how I set it. Anyone heat their garage with the dryer?

Was alcohol involved with this idea? If you spend a fair amount of time in the garage, get a decent floor heater.


We bought our house 25 years ago. 2 story. Garage faces west and master bedroom is over it. Adding insult is the a/c vent is by the window. I have a deflector on it to blow across the room.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

Was alcohol involved with this idea?

There is this thing called "the internet", Look into it. You'll see it everywhere. Would you like me to start you off with some links?

Local man's invention uses the clothes dryer to help heat your home - YouTube

Comparing The Better Vent and Heat Keeper Clothes Dryer Vents | Weekend Handy Woman - YouTube

how to install a Deflecto Extra Heat Dryer Saver, 4" - YouTube

DIY How to Cut Electric Bill in Half: Part 3 Clothes Dryer Free Ideas | Missouri Wind and Solar - YouTube

[slewfoot]

The concept could work but are dryers designed for this?

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

The concept could work but are dryers designed for this?

Certainly not gas.

Electric creates a humidity issue as was mentioned. I know of no "free" method to remove moisture from the air exiting the dryer. Seems anything that would catch condensation would be a restriction in the flow. I don't know if blowing over desiccant packs or Damp X or something would have any effect.

I suppose if you caught the dryer near the end of the cycle, but you'd be chasing your tail more than you'd be getting any work done.

Maybe some sort of chimney with a catch can at the bottom?

The ROI shifts unless you can do it directly without intervention or conditioning of the air. The "idea" was to capture wasted heat and repurpose it.

Like recycling though, it fails when it costs more than just throwing it away.

[benny42]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Well crap. Free heat seemed a decent idea.

Run the dryer empty. It won't be wet air that way. It should work.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by benny42

Run the dryer empty. It won't be wet air that way. It should work.

Why run an empty dryer? That completely defeats the entire purpose.

[Rodnok1]

Since your talking about just getting residual heat when actually drying clothes I wouldn't bother as it won't help much if any unless you run the dryer a ton.
I ran a space heater in small gaarage here overnight many times and took the chill out of garage easily.

[04 commemorative]

Just get an oil filled electric radiator or baseboard and be done with it....as said before this is a bad idea.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by aerovette

There is this thing called "the internet", Look into it. You'll see it everywhere. Would you like me to start you off with some links?

Local man's invention uses the clothes dryer to help heat your home - YouTube

Comparing The Better Vent and Heat Keeper Clothes Dryer Vents | Weekend Handy Woman - YouTube

how to install a Deflecto Extra Heat Dryer Saver, 4" - YouTube

DIY How to Cut Electric Bill in Half: Part 3 Clothes Dryer Free Ideas | Missouri Wind and Solar - YouTube

I can guarandamntee you that the last dude was building bongs as a teen. Be interesting to see if you could run the hose into the water in the bucket. On the other hand, he talks about 55% RH. Our home would look like a greenhouse with that level. Windows would be constantly fogged during winter. We try to run 30-35% RH, have double pane windows, and still get condensation when it gets really cold.