Dryer Vent Cleaning and Repair Costs: Is It Worth It?

Dryers are one of the most common appliances to break down, but they’re also one of the most important appliances in the home. When it comes to maintaining your dryer, the dryer vent cleaning cost may seem daunting, not to mention the cost of making any repairs that might be necessary.

We’re here to provide a thorough guide to dryer vent cleaning and repairs and answer the question you may be asking yourself – is it worth it?

What does a dryer vent cleaning and repair include?

This will mainly depend on the professional services you decide to hire, but dryer vent cleanings generally involve the cleanup of lint buildup in your vents that have managed to pass through the filter already built into the dryer.

It can also involve the cleaning of the dryer itself; both the inside with all the gears and parts and the outside where dust and dirt may collect. But this will again depend on the quality of the professional services you decide to hire.

If there are any problems the dryer may be having, a dryer repair will identify the problem and fix it or replace any parts that are no longer functioning.

What does it cost?

Angie’s List in 2014 compiled a list of reported dryer vent cleaning costs and found that most people paid between $125 and $175 for a professional cleaning. This can be a hight amount for a dryer vent cleaning cost, but many companies exist today who can perform the same amount and quality of work at just between $90 and $160.

There are many factors that affect the cost of dryer vent cleaning and repair, including how long the vent that needs to be cleaned is and how much lint has built up in it, how accessible the dryer is, and how many people are needed for the job. Because all these things affect the labor and time needed to complete the job, it similarly affects the overall cost.

For dryer vent repairs, the cost will depend on how much needs to be repaired, the problem itself, and whether any parts need to be replaced. When it comes to repairs, it may be more beneficial for you to weigh the cost of repairing your dryer against the cost of a brand-new dryer.

What are the benefits of dryer vent cleaning and what are the risks of neglecting it?

A newly cleaned and repaired dryer can dry your clothes better and in a shorter amount of time. Not only will this make your laundry cycles more efficient, but it will also cut down on energy use and costs.

On the flip side, a neglected dryer with a heavy buildup of lint will not wash clothes as well as a newly cleaned one. Clothes will come out of the dryer still damp and longer cycles will be needed to fully dry the clothes.

But most importantly, there are real dangers to procrastinating on getting your dryer vents cleaned. The number one reason for house fires in the country is dryer malfunction because of lint buildup. Lint is a highly flammable material that can be set off accidentally at any given moment when there is a large amount of it in your vents.

In fact, the US Fire Administration recommends that dryers get professionally cleaned at least once a year to avoid house fires which are becoming increasingly common.

Is it worth it?

It is absolutely worth it to spend money on a professional dryer vent cleaning. You cannot put a price on safety, and having your dryer vents cleaned prevents house fires while also contributing to the efficiency of your laundry cycles.