insulating a gas dryer vent

According to anthony migliore :

I don't think you'd want to insulate it, for fear of having the heat rise higher, possibly causing the lint in the vent to ignite. May cause the dryer to run at a higher temperature too.

Some sort of mesh/barred/perforated plate/boxed in channel with vents seems like a better idea to me. Prevents contact, _and_ allows air circulation.

Don't worry about fire. After all it is the air coming from the dryer. if it were hot enough to damage a towel that fell on it, just think what it would do to the towel in the dryer. Also remember that there is lint inside the vent, that is going to be even hotter than the outside. (see next comment)

BTW, dump that flexible vent pipe. Get the hard stuff. Much less of a problem.

Hi,

The vent pipe temp is the same as inside the dryer, as long as the clothes don't catch fire in there they shouldn't on the vent pipe either. Average on and off temps are approx 120-160ºF. If you still want to insulate the pipe, an fiberglass pipe wrap should work fine. Or build a "L" shaped box cover to go over the exposed area.

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid

Hi,

The vent pipe temp is the same as inside the dryer, as long as the clothes don't catch fire in there they shouldn't on the vent pipe either. Average on and off temps are approx 120-160ºF. If you still want to insulate the pipe, an fiberglass pipe wrap should work fine. Or build a "L" shaped box cover to go over the exposed area.

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid

First thing you do, is dump the flex line. Run hard 4 inch all the way out. Second thing you do is forget about insulation on the line.

I would suggest you reconsider the use of corrugated (even metal) ducting. You can read some dryer venting tips at the following link:

How long can my dryer vent be?

It isn't necessary for safety like other have said, the air traveling through that vent shouldn't exceed ~160°F under normal operating conditions. If your basement is unheated and you want to prevent condensation from forming on or in the ducting, regular household fiberglass insulation should suffice. Don't install anything around the duct that will make full access for cleaning more difficult.

JMO

Dan O.

- Appliance411.com

Thanks for all the replys..

I'm going to replace the flex line with rigid vent pipe and build a L shaped box around the exposed part.

-- Mig