Can I get a little info on those water dryer filters for people who cannot vent their dryer to the outside?
I must be using the wrong search words because I can't find out much about these.
Here's a little drawing I made so you know what I'm talking about.
formatting link
The dryer vents into a box with some water in it and the exhaust then exits through slots in the top of the box.
How much water should go in the box? What exactly is this supposed to do? How well does this work to trap lint not trapped by the dryer lint filter? Is there something better to use?
Keep in mind that they are for use in electric driers only. Due to CO2 gas driers must vent to the outside air.
I used one in an apartment once. I didn't like it much. I got it at one of the big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, or Wal-Mart), I don't recall which one. It looked just like the one in the link that Bob F posted in this thread.
What ended up working for me was just putting a hair net over the end of the vent hose. It was the fiber type of hair net, not the fish net type. The hair net caught more lint than the water trap, although it did have to be replaced every few loads. If you can't get a hold of a hair net, ladies pantyhose would probably work just as well.
In the winter it was free heat, but all the moisture did tend to fog the windows badly. In the summer, it would probably be more economical to buy enough vent hose to reach the nearest window. If you didn't, you'd be paying to air condition your drier exhaust.
In winter, I'd vent the drier out the window for the first 10 to 15 minutes. Otherwise, it puts too much humidity in the apartment. Then I'd pull the hose out of the window and use the remainder of the dry time as free heat and for a moderate increase of moisture to the dry winter air.
Thanks for the benefit of your experiences! This is what came with the dryer in my in-laws condo. Good idea about venting out the window, but the nearest window is not close and they would not be able to do what you suggest.
I'll have to give some thought to a real filter like you suggest since, I, too, am concerned about all the extra humidity. Who needs the extra water vapor this thing adds?
I still don't know how much water they are supposed to put in that thing. I can go to Home Depot or Lowes and look at the directions if I can find one unless you remember.
Thanks! I did the drawing with Google Sketchup. I'm REALLY rusty with it but it's one amazing drawing tool.
It will add a lot of heat and humidity. Think about how heavy wet clothes are. Every bit of that water will end up inside the condo. I'd also be concerned about enough moisture to let mold take hold.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.