Horatio Chiorean

Neglecting to maintain your washer and dryer can result in thousands of dollars in property damages

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Horatio Chiorean, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Palm Beach and Broward County, Florida, recently spoke to first time home buyers about preventative maintenance on washers and dryers. Horatio said, "Over 15,000 clothes dryer fires are reported each year, causing injury, death and loss of homes. When a water hose on your washing machine bursts, it can result in thousands of dollars in water damages."

Horatio told the group to replace old washer hoses with new steel braided hoses and to clean the filters. "The washer is the easiest one to handle. The dryer is more involved; most average homeowners can do some maintenance on their own, but a professional dryer vent cleaning and repair specialist is recommended for servicing the dryer."

Though Horatio recommends professional service for the dryer, he did offer some tips for those who insist on doing it themselves. "I would rather provide some tips than have nothing done to prevent a dryer fire," said Horatio. "There are tools that homeowners can buy from the hardware or home improvement store to use for removing lint build-up from the dryer vent and duct system. A rotary tool can be attached to a drill to loosen the lint, and then use a shop vac to blow out the ducts."

Horatio also told the group to take the dryer apart, remove the drum and clean inside and around the motor. "While you have the dryer disassembled, check the bearings and idler pulley for wear. Replace if necessary."

Horatio finished by saying, "Appliance maintenance in the laundry room will prevent fire and water damage to your home. I recommend a professional dryer vent inspection and cleaning at least once a year. We have the necessary tools and knowledge to make sure your dryer is operating safely and efficiently."

Horatio Chiorean is the owner/operator of Dryer Vent Wizard; he provides affordable dryer vent cleaning, repairs and installation while explaining to his customers exactly what he is doing and why. Horatio offers his clients good tips for maintaining their dryer vent system between his annual visits. For more information, read Horatio's blog at http://dryerventcleaningforelauderdale.blogspot.com/

Dryer Vent Cleaning: Essential in Preventing Fires and Saving Money

Is your clothes dryer taking longer to get your clothes dry? Are your towels still damp after 2 or more drying cycles? If so, you are paying more for the energy required to dry your clothes and this is a warning of a potential fire hazard!

The solution is easier and less expensive than you think. You do not have to replace your clothes dryer; this problem is rarely a sign of an old, worn out dryer. It is most likely caused by lint build-up clogging your dryer vent system. Your dryer vent system removes heat, moisture and lint from your dryer; a clogged system will cause the dryer to overwork, costing you more money for utilities. It also results in extra wear and tear on your appliance, leading to expensive repair bills. Most importantly, it also causes overheating and eventually, a clothes dryer fire.

Some newer models of clothes dryers have safety features which turn off the heat if sensors indicate overheating caused by lint clogging the system. This is why it takes longer to dry your clothes. Other causes of dryer vent clogs are forgetting to check the pockets of your clothes before they go into the laundry. Pieces of paper, kleenex and anything left in your pockets can become trapped in the system, blocking air-flow and causing lint to build up. Hair is also a problem; human and pet hair will contribute to clogged dryer vents.

Professional dryer vent cleaning is recommended at least once a year to keep your dryer operating efficiently and safely. You should call a C-Det Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician to do the job.

Horatio Chiorean owns and operates Dryer Vent Wizard, a dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation specialist who will provide a complete inspection of your dryer vent system to be sure it is up to code and operating properly. Horatio also takes the time to educate his customers on how to maintain their dryer vent system and the warning signs to look for. Read Horatio's dryer vent cleaning blog to learn more.

Introducing a practical tool for appliance maintenance with many other household uses

Broward County, FL - The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recommends dryer vent cleaning for clothes dryer safety. The UL is an independent testing laboratory that establishes standards for residential, commercial and industrial electrical products and their safety. Horatio Chiorean is the owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Broward County, a dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation company who also works to promote public awareness of dryer fire prevention.

In a recent interview, Horatio explained, "About 80% of all homes have clothes dryers; this means that there are about 82 million potential fire hazards out there if the dryer vents are not properly maintained. A dryer fire occurs when lint build up in the dryer vent system, reducing air flow and causing overheating."

Horatio also explained that a clothes dryer requires proper air flow to work efficiently. "The harder you dryer has to work to perform its job, the more you are spending for energy bills. A poorly maintained dryer vent system will make your dryer cost an additional $18 to $24 per month to operate," said Horatio.

Though Horatio recommends professional dryer vent cleaning and inspections at least once a year, he realizes that there are a lot of do-it-yourself homeowners who prefer not to pay someone for something they feel they can do. This is the reason he told us about a special dryer vent brush available for homeowners for use in cleaning their dryer vent system. He also shared many other uses for this long handled, flexible tool. "The dryer vent cleaning brush is also useful for cleaning the coils behind the refrigerator, which is another great energy saving tip. People are also using it to retrieve lost items from underneath appliances and cleaning under and behind heavy furniture like desks and bookcases."

Horatio Chiorean owns and operates Dryer Vent Wizard http://www.dryerventwizard.com in Broward County, Florida. He has made it his mission to educate his customers to prevent clothes dryer fires while providing professional dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation services in his community. Horatio is happy to spend the necessary time to answer any questions his customer has, at no additional charge. Read Horatio's blog at http://dryerventcleaningbrowardcountyfl.blogspot.com to learn more about dryer vent cleaning and maintenance to save on utility bills and prevent dryer fires.

Contact:

Dryer Vent Wizard of Palm Beaches

Horatio Chiorean

Phone: 561-901-3464

Email: hchiorean@dryerventwizard.com

The (UL) Underwriters Laboratories recommends dryer vent cleaning for clothes dryer safety. The UL is an independent testing laboratory that establishes standards for residential, commercial and industrial electrical products and their safety.

About 80 percent of all homes in the US have clothes dryers; that's about 82 million homes with potential fire hazards if the lint traps and dryer vent systems are not properly maintained.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 15,000 clothes dryer fires occur each year in the US, accounting for about 10 deaths, 300 injuries and over $84 Million in property damages. Lack of proper maintenance is the major cause of clothes dryer fires.

The Anatomy of a Clothes Dryer Fire

Each full load of laundry contains about half a gallon of water which your clothes dryer works faithfully to remove. As the laundry dries, lint is created, which also must be removed. Both the lint and the moisture leave the dryer drum through the dryer ducts to the vent outside your home. A lot of the lint is caught in the lint screen, which most people know to clean regularly; the rest goes to the dryer ducts. Some makes its way to the vent outside; some of the moist lint sticks to the sides of the ductwork, attracting more lint, eventually building up, creating a hard paste, blocking air-flow, and finally, starting a fire.

The High Cost of Energy Bills

Your clothes dryer is one of the most expensive appliances in your home to operate, accounting for about 6 percent of your utility bills. The longer the clothes dryer runs, the more it cost to operate. When the dryer vent system is clogged with lint, air-flow is restricted, causing the dryer to work much harder to perform its job. As I stated above, this eventually causes a fire, but in the meantime, it is causing the amount of your utility bills to skyrocket. When your dryer is not functioning properly, due to poor maintenance, it is estimated to cost an additional $18 - $24 per month to operate.

The Solution

Dryer vent cleaning is the only solution. You can do it yourself, or hire a professional. Most average homeowners do not have the special equipment required to do a thorough job. A professional has special tools they use to get to the hard-to-reach areas of the dryer vent system. Some homes have the laundry area upstairs, where the bedrooms are. The law requires all clothes dryers to be vented to the outside of the home. In some homes, the dryer is not located near an outside wall; therefore, the dryer ducts are longer. If this is the case, you're much better off hiring a professional to inspect and clean your dryer vent system at least once a year.

Clothes Dryer Vent Brush

There is a tool available for homeowners to purchase for use in cleaning their dryer vent. A clothes dryer vent brush is a flexible, long-reaching brush that works in cleaning dryer vent systems. This brush can be used to clean the lint from behind the dryer and underneath the dryer drum as well.

The dryer vent brush has many other uses for around the house, including cleaning the coils behind the refrigerator, which also helps save on energy costs. It's great for cleaning out vacuum hoses and dusting tight spots like underneath appliances or behind heavy bookcases, desks or other furniture.

Even for the do-it-yourself homeowner, annual professional dryer vent cleaning is highly recommended to prevent dryer fires and to prolong the life of your clothes dryer while reducing your utility bills. All this said the fee for dryer vent cleaning pays for itself many times over.

Horatio Chiorean owns and operates Dryer Vent Wizard in Broward County, Florida, a professional dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation company. Horatio is happy to do a complete inspection of your dryer vent system while explaining how it works and how you can maintain it between his annual visits. Horatio is committed to preventing dryer fires in his community; he is happy to spend as much time as is necessary to educate his customers at no additional charge.

Recently a dryer fire was reported in Boynton Beach. The home on Chrysanthemum drive was a total loss. Mrs. Pittman, an animal trainer was able to save her dogs, but sadly four cats died in the fire. The day before, Gena Brown of Lexington, MA lost her life to a house fire that was caused by lint build up. The heroic mother managed to save her two daughters but sadly she perished in the fire.

Unfortunately, this happens more often than you think. The US Fire Administration reports there are 15,600 dryer fires annually resulting in 15 deaths and almost $100 million in damages. "FAILURE TO CLEAN" is listed as the main reason by the US Fire Administration. That is why Consumer Product Safety Commission, Underwriter Laboratories and Consumer Reports all recommend inspecting and cleaning your dryer vent once a year.

How does it happen? The lint screen in your dryer only catches a portion of the lint produced by your dryer. The rest of it is expected to be vented outside via the dryer venting system. Over time the lint builds up inside the vent causing the dryer to overheat and eventually catch on fire. Other reasons why it happens include improper installation of the dryer, a venting system not up to code, excessive human or pet hair, a bird nest or an animal in vent, drying fabrics with combustibles on them, etc. That is why an inspection is always needed before a cleaning.

Even if it does not result in a dryer fire, a dirty vent is inefficient and costs more money because the dryer runs longer. Among the ten most important tips to reduce electrical consumption in residential homes, FPL recommends to clean your lint screen regularly and to use a dryer with an automatic cycle. Unfortunately, both tips produce zero savings if the vent is partially or fully clogged! How expensive it can be? It has been calculated that if one dries 6 loads of clothes per week and it takes 2 hours to dry a normal load vs. the normal 45 minutes , the dryer will cost (national average) and extra ~$435/year to run. In Florida however this rate is higher because electricity is more expensive and because if the dryer is in the house, it will heat up the house, causing the AC to run loner.

Therefore, we urge everyone to have their dryer vents inspected by a professional dryer vent cleaning company at least once a year to be sure they are in good working order and are not clogged with lint, human and/or animal hair. The fee for dryer vent cleaning service is very little compared to the cost of repairs and loss of lives as the result of a fire.

Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, repair, alteration and installation services for the Palm Beach and Broward counties. Visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com or call 866-498-SAFE (7233)/561-901-3464 to schedule service and learn more about preventing dryer fires.

Contact: Dryer Vent Wizard of Palm Beaches Horatio Chiorean

Phone: 866-498-SAFE (7233) / 561-901-3464

Email: hchiorean@dryerventwizard.com

Dryer Vent Wizard is a nationwide company, Dryer Vent Wizard professionally inspects and cleans clothing dryers for homeowners and in commercially-owned buildings. Poorly maintained dryer vents cause fire hazards and cost substantially more to operate. At Dryer Vent Wizard, we take pride that we are helping homeowners and apartment managers prevent dryer vent fires and other dryer vent hazards. At the same time, we are keeping their utility bills down with a semi-annual dryer vent cleaning. We pride ourselves on our quality service and professionalism. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Our services are Cleaning, Repair, Alteration, Installation of dryer vents.