You have probably invested hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a new clothes dryer - always follow the manufacturer's specific instructions for the installation of the dryer vent system for your clothes dryer.  If you are replacing an old dryer with a new one, do not assume that the previous dryer vent system is adequate for the new dryer that you have just purchased.

Installation Parameters:

1. The most direct route from the dryer to the outside of your home with as few bends in the dryer vent piping is always the best route.

2. The maximum distance from the dryer to the outside wall should not exceed 25 feet.  If you need to run in excess of 25 feet you should install an auxiliary dryer vent fan.

3. A 90 degree elbow is equivalent to 5 feet of piping.

4. A 45 degree elbow is equivalent to 2½ feet of piping.

Hence, a dryer vent system that has two 90 degree elbows and two 45 degree elbows and travels 6 feet up a wall to exhaust outside of the home is the equivalent of 21 feet of straight dryer vent pipe.

5. Use metal ducting rather than plastic.

6. Any vent piping which is buried in walls or ceiling cavities should be metal.

7. Seal joints using a metal film tape - do not use "duct" tape.

8. When joining duct pipe sections ensure that the end farthest from the dryer goes inside the next portion of pipe.  This will help to prevent lint buildup at pipe joints and allows the air to move through the piping as freely as possible.

9. Ensure that the duct running directly out of the back of the dryer is not crushed when the dryer is moved back into its permanent position.  A good alternative to using elbows and flexible piping when connecting to the vent on the back of the dryer is to use a "tight fit" dryer vent.

10. If you have excessive lint consider the installation of a secondary lint trap.