How Much Does It Cost to Install a Dryer Vent?

Installing a dryer vent is a standard part of the process of putting in a new clothes dryer. Proper installation of a dryer vent impacts the efficiency of the dryer, including helping achieve faster dry times. Dryer vents are also needed for safety reasons, including lint removal. Substantial lint buildup could cause house fires.

The average cost to install a dryer vent ranges between $150-$250, with the average homeowner spending around $200 to install a semi-rigid metal gas dryer vent, including labor and materials​.

Dryer Vent Installation Cost

Dryer Vent Duct Cost by Type

The appropriate type of dryer duct for your home depends on several key guidelines. When installed, dryer venting should promote unobstructed and frictionless air flow. The type of dryer vent duct selected is independent of any other HVAC systems in the home. The following are standard dryer duct options for residential clothes dryers.

Slim Dryer Duct

Slim dryer duct also goes by the term flat dryer vent. This type of ductwork fits in tight spaces where traditional types won’t work. The shape of the slim dryer duct is rectangular with a wide and thin size. The benefit of a flat dryer vent is the fact that the option permits you to save space and push the dryer very close to the wall. The average cost to install slim dryer ductwork in your home is $185.

Semi-Rigid Dryer Duct

The semi-rigid metal duct is a transition piece with a moderate amount of flexibility. In most cases, this type of dryer vent is manufactured from aluminium. During semi-rigid dryer duct installation, clamps are utilized to keep the tubing in place. The average cost to install semi-rigid dryer ductwork is $200.

Rigid Dryer Duct

Rigid metal duct is the only option permitted for concealed ductwork projects. Most of the rigid dryer duct tubing is placed behind walls, floors, and ceiling. Elbow fittings are needed to secure rigid dryer duct pieces since the pieces are unbendable. Expect to pay an estimated $300 for rigid dryer duct projects.

Dryer Vent Prices by Material

Dryer vent prices vary by material type. The more economical the material, the less the project costs. Keep in mind that some types of dryer vents are only crafted out of select materials. For instance, rigid dryer vents are exclusively made from either steel or aluminium. Semi-rigid vents are typically constructed from aluminium while slim dryer ducts come from steel most often.

PVC Dryer Vent

PVC dryer vents can be a viable option if you’re looking to keep your duct project low-cost. However, PVC may not work for most dryer installations. PVC pipes have a maximum operating temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. After long-term exposure to the heat and moisture going through the pipes, damage could occur. If you do choose to use PVC dryer ducts, expect the project to cost around $125.

Plastic Dryer Vent

Similar to PVC dryer vents, a plastic dryer vent can have its drawbacks. Plastic dryer vents could become damaged due to prolonged heat exposure. Also, plastic tends to become brittle over time and prone to breakage. However, plastic dryer vents do have the advantage of being economical with an average cost of $150.

Metal Dryer Vent

Metal dryer vents typically refer to types made from a rigid metal like galvanized steel. Metal dryer vents are long-lasting and constructed from the sturdiness of materials. They also have the distinction of being the only type of vents that could be concealed in the home. Expect to pay an average of $200 to have metal dryer ducts installed in the home.

Aluminum Dryer Vent

An aluminium dryer vent is considered the most commonplace of all dryer ductwork. Benefits of an aluminium dryer vent include durability and the capacity to work with most new dryer installations. The only exception is an aluminium dryer vent can’t be placed behind walls. An estimated cost of an aluminium dryer vent install is $215.

Stainless Steel Dryer Vent

With a stainless steel dryer vent, you are choosing a long-lasting product with an attractive appearance. Stainless steel pieces are resistant to moisture damage, including corrosion. The vents have an expensive average price with a cost of $300.

Dryer Vent Hose Sizes

To size dryer vents, you want to confirm that air flows through the ductwork in an unrestricted manner. Proper venting means you should have as few elbows as possible. Dryer vent installs should include short and straight tubing. As far as diameter, most dryer hoses have a standard 4-inch size. Maximum length for a dryer hose is 35 feet. The following are the common dryer vent hoses available on the market and estimated cost for each with installation included.

Where to Put a Dryer Vent

Dryer placement depends on a few factors. One of them is that you preferably want to choose an area that already has either a gas line or electric outlet nearby. Secondly, the area of the home should have a regulated temperature that doesn’t go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Dryers have to work much harder in colder temperatures. The following are conventional areas to place a dryer vent after installing a dryer in the home.

Dryer Vent Through Roof

Dryer roof vents typically are used for homes with a clothes dryer on the second floor. To Install a dryer vent through the roof, shingles need to be removed with the vent secured with tar and placed under nearby shingles. Vent flashing is nailed to the roof with roof nails. Metal ductwork is typically run through the attic with a hole drilled through the ceiling to connect it to the dryer.

Dryer Vent Through Floor

Dryer vent projects through flooring is commonplace for homes with crawl space access. To install the dryer vent, professionals drill a hole through the flooring and then pull the tubing through the opening. The tubing is then extended through the wall to exhaust outside of the home.

Dryer Vent Through Wall

When installing a dryer vent in the wall, the contractor needs a rigid metal duct. Holes to accommodate the dryer ductwork are made through the wall and routed to the vent in the wall. Dryer vent through concrete wall needs to turn at a 45 or 90 degree angle with the use of an elbow fitting. Dryer vent through foundation wall or a concrete wall may require a masonry bit to cut through the material. Once piping is through the wall, any gaps are filled in with caulk.

Dryer Vent Under Deck

A dryer vent under deck materials pose a potential safety hazard. Dryer vents under the deck could lead to issues with lint buildup and increase your home’s fire hazard risks. In addition, venting under the deck could damage the wood and cause issues such as mold and warping. To avoid these common pratfalls, an extension must be included at the time of installation.

Dryer Vent Through Soffit

In the majority of cases, HVAC professionals recommend venting through a wall in lieu of a soffit. However, you can vent the dryer with a specialized cap as a way to prevent lint from becoming trapped. The attic also needs to have good ventilation if you plan to use a soffit for venting purposes. Keep ductwork as short and straight as possible for efficiency purposes. If this is challenging for a soffit installation, an alternative should be considered.

Dryer Vent Through Window

If you have limited options to exhaust the dryer fumes out of the home, a window dryer vent provides a viable option. This could include installing a dryer vent through the basement window. To complete this installation, usually the window pane must be removed and replaced with acrylic sheeting. The dryer vent hood is attached to the sheeting with flexible hoses running from the hood to the dryer. Hose clamps are needed to keep the ductwork in place.

Dryer Vent Through Garage

Dryer venting done through the garage is not likely recommended by most HVAC professionals. The reason is lint may be ejected into the garage and any materials stored in the garage could get damaged from prolonged heat and moisture exposure. Never vent a gas dryer through a garage due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, you could use extensions to have the vent pass through the garage to the outside of the house.

Dryer Vent Through Drywall

Dryer vent jobs through drywall require similar steps as dryer ductwork performed on other types of wall materials. Holes are drilled through the space as a way to run the tubing behind the wall. Once the ductwork is installed, the drywall can be repaired and painted.

Basement Dryer Vent

Basement dryer vent projects are a common requested service offering. Unlike other installations, a basement dryer vent install is more likely to require vertical routing instead of horizontal routing. An elbow cap may be needed to make sure the basement dryer vent reaches the outside wall.

Dryer Vent under Mobile Home

Dryer vents can be placed under a mobile home, but an extension is very important during installs. The reason that the vent should not go directly under the mobile home is that this could lead to lint buildup. The extension should lead the hose to the skirting of the mobile home. The opening should have a ½ inch screen in place.

Cost to Install a Dryer Vent

Dryer vent installation service is available from different contractors. Proper dryer vent installation is provided through appliance repair companies, HVAC professionals, and general contractors. Never do any type of dryer vent project on your own. DIY isn’t safe since improper installations could result in a serious issue. If the installation is done wrong, lint buildup could occur along with carbon monoxide exposure. If you never had a dryer in your home, installing a new dryer vent is needed before the delivery of the appliance. Appliance shops don’t typically include the cost of dryer transition duct installation in their dryer installation prices. You will need to pay the extra fees to have any type of dryer vent installation service performed.

Most contractors charge a per project rate for dryer vent installation service. They consider the materials needed for the job, accessibility of the location, and any structural changes required to get the dryer vent installed. As an example, if you want the dryer vent installed on the roof, the contractor needs to factor in the cost of safety equipment such as harnesses and scaffolding. On average, expect contractors to charge an hourly rate of $75 to $100 for dryer vent installations. Standard installations normally take under two hours to complete.

Interior Dryer Vent

The best indoor dryer vent systems prevent home fires and limit structural damage caused by your dryer’s exhaust. Indoor dryer vents blow directly into the laundry room with a filtration system to capture any excess lint. They are usually only recommended when outdoor access is not possible. Gas dryers can never use an indoor dryer venting system. For electric dryers, the systems attach to the wall and require regular filter changes. The average cost to install an indoor dryer vent is $100 to $175.

An exterior dryer vent is more commonplace than an interior dryer vent. A benefit of an exterior dryer vent is that the system can be used on both gas and electric dryers. Tubing runs from the rear of the dryer through an external wall. On the exterior wall, a cap for the dryer vent is placed. The cost to vent dryer outside is approximately $150 to $300.

Dryer Vent Replacement Cost

There are several reasons you could require dryer vent replacement. For one, if your current venting system isn’t up to code, you may need to install a new version. Another reason for replacement is if you notice the dryer isn’t working efficiently. This could mean the tubing has become damaged over time. Another reason for replacing dryer vent in brick wall and other areas of the home is if you want to upgrade to a high-performance material like metal. The average cost a contractor will charge for dryer vent replacement cost is $75 or more. The cost is typically lower than new replacements as long as no structural changes are required. For instance, the installer is less likely to have to drill out new holes to make the replacement.

Gas vs Electric Dryer Vent

Gas and electric dryers have different venting requirements. For one, an indoor dryer vent for gas dryer is not possible. An indoor vent would release carbon monoxide into the space. Outdoor vents are a must for gas dryers. In comparison, electric dryers don’t require venting to remove carbon monoxide from the air. Instead, electric dryers use venting systems to reduce the amount of heat and moisture released into the air. Electric dryers can rely on both indoor and outdoor venting systems. Notably, newer models of electric dryers have been released using a ventless operating system. Instead of pushing the air out through the vent, a ventless dryer cycles the hot air through a heat exchanger and collects excess moisture in a chamber. Once the chamber is full, the water is drained out.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost

Dryer vent cleaning service is a part of your home’s routine maintenance. Service professionals remove a portion of the lint by hand before using a powerful vacuum to suction out the rest inside the hose. The frequency of dryer vent cleaning depends on how often you use the dryer. In households with one or two people, once a year may be enough to remove the lint buildup. However, if you have a larger family and use the dryer often, increase service appointments to two to three times annually. The cost to have a dryer vent cleaned is around $60 to $85. Dryer vent cleaning price can sometimes be combined with the cost of air duct cleaning. Some contractors offer dryer vent cleaning service as an add-on option.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Dryer Vent Extension

A dryer vent extension is an upgrade needed in areas that make standard installation challenging. For instance, an exterior dryer vent installation would be required if placement falls under any decking materials. Dryer vent extenders cost upwards of $20 and would be factored into your final cost for the project by your contractor.

Dryer Vent Guard

Dryer vent guards look like a small cage placed around your dryer vent hood. These vent guards protect against any type of pests, including rodents from entering your home. Screens are typically removable to allow for each lint cleaning. Dryer vent guards usually only cost $10 or more to install and are put on after ductwork has been completed.

Dryer Vent Heat Keeper

A dryer vent heat keeper is an upgrade to utilize the heat from your dryer to warm a room. Any extra heat and humidity is vented back into a room when used with flexible ductwork. Two modes are offered: winter mode to add heat to a room and summer mode to exhaust the heat out. These devices cost less than $15 to add onto your installation.

Dual Dryer Vent

Dual dryer vents are required when you have two or more dryers installed in the home. A dual duct kit includes a y-shaped adapter to connect to both dryers. At a minimum, a dual dryer vent system will cost $100 in addition to the standard install price.

Dryer Vent Flapper

Flappers are used to prevent cold and hot air from outside coming into the home. Flapper vents remain shut and only open when the air from the dryer is pushed out. Dryer vent flaps replace standard hoods and cost around $25 for metal versions.

Reroute Dryer Vent

Rerouting a dryer vent may be another upgrade consideration. This project is done if the vent doesn’t route to the outside or if you find the hoses has too many bends. The cost to reroute a dryer vent depends on the accessibility of the job. In most cases, this type of job costs $75 to $100 as long as no structural changes to the home is needed.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Permits. You may need a permit when installing a new dryer vent in the home. The reason your local building authority would require a permit is to confirm the work is up to code. Also, technicians used for the dryer vent project should have a valid HVAC license.
• DIY. Never perform any ductwork on your own. Firstly, you may not perform the work up to code. Secondly, if you don’t put in the dryer vent system correctly, you could have issues with fire hazards, carbon monoxide exposure, high utility bills, and poor dryer performance.
• Repairs. Dryer vent repair cost depends on the issue. Like installations, only use HVAC professionals to fix the issue. The contractor inspects hoses and will note any problems like leakage. The contractor could also fix any routing issues such as too much length and too many bends.