Evaluation of the DryerNet

In looking for energy efficiency products, sometimes I come across things that just make sense.
 
In our home in January we are spending money to head and humidify the air. We are also doing laundry, which involves drying clothes. Typically the dryer dumps warm wet air outdoors. Jim Atkinson (http://dryernet.com/) has produced a product that permits you to keep this warm, humid air in your home. This seems perfect for the winter months here in Maine.

The dryer net is essentially a fabric bag that covers your dryer tube. The cover secures with an elastic band. This catches lint and permits you to vent your dryer indoors (see cautions and caveats below). You do have to keep the trap clean (we clean ours every 2-3 loads).

Dryer net in action in my basement.

Also, you have to disconnect your dryer vent tubing from your outdoor vent. I found it simpler to just buy another dryer vent tube and cover the already installed one to outdoors. The new tube was cut to exit the front of the dryer. Having 2 tubes will simplify things during the season change. As your can see in the photo, I found it better to use a box fan to move this air around (our dryer is located in the corner of the basement and want this warn, humid air up on the main floor).

We find that this heats up the basement and brings some warm air up to the main floor also. Because it is so dry at this time of year, we only get moisture on our basement windows.If we run the fan (which we always do now) that is gone within an hour of completing the dryer cycle.

Some limitations and warnings regarding using the Dryernet:

  Only use the Dryernet on electric dryers.

  Do not use the Dryernet in a confined space.

You can contact Jim at dryernet@gmail.com

Cheers,

Mark