Solving Long Dryer Vent Runs with the Dryer-Ell
Sometimes, when installing your dryer vents like we’ve got right here, you get a long run, and most dryers won’t allow you to go over 35 feet. There are penalties for the 90s when you put them in the dryer vent system. Today, we will show you a product that can help solve that and allow you to go further.
Understanding Venting Restrictions and Elbow Penalties
Depending on the obstacles—like trusses in the way or certain things above where you can’t get around—or maybe you’re going down and need to work around obstructions, your dryer vent can get too long.
Typically, the duct is four inches, and most dryer vents don’t exceed 35 feet of duct length. Code requires you not to exceed that. There’s also a penalty system in the code:
- A standard 90-degree elbow counts as five linear feet.
- A 45-degree elbow adds two and a half feet.
So, if I had a 30-foot run and threw in a 90, that puts me at 35 feet.
Based on these penalties, you’ve got to calculate everything—vertical, horizontal, and any turns using 90s or 45s.
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Meet the Dryer-Ell: A Game-Changer for Long Runs
One solution that I found and liked is a product by InOvate. It’s called the Dryer-Ell, which counts as only a foot and a half of run length, even though it gives you the same 90-degree turn. Compare that to the standard 90, which costs you five feet. With this, you gain back 3.5 feet on your total run.
It’s essentially a long sweep elbow, about 18 inches long, and the label even says zero run length penalty. It’s a cool product. I paid about $20 to $29; the model number is LT90.
We had already put a couple of standard 90s into this system to get through the trusses and out the side. But we’re going to remove those and install two Dryer-Ells instead. It will help with airflow and reduce restriction and should improve the overall performance of the duct system. Even though we’re already under the 35-foot limit, using these elbows makes for a better system.
Final Thoughts
So that’s a quick little thing you can do if you’ve got a long duct run or want to improve the system in your house. Again, the product is the Dryer-Ell, model number LT90.
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8 Comments
thanks for info.
We’re glad that you found the information in the article helpful. Thank you!
Having someone install your vent properly is important because the better airflow you have the better your dryer can work. This article is amazing it helps you understand code and the how the penalties thank you. We are a HOME ASSISTANT ERRAND RUNNING HOUSEHOLD TASKS company and we clean dryer vents as well. I appreciate the education.
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https://www.101homehelp.com/
Thank you!
Are there more information regarding about this topic for us to research for? Thank you
Long dryer vent runs can reduce efficiency and increase lint accumulation inside ductwork. Upgrades that shorten or improve airflow paths can help dryers run safer and more effectively. What design adjustments work best when vents must travel longer distances?
The biggest improvements are usually fewer turns, smooth rigid metal duct, and the shortest possible path to the exterior. When the run has to stay long, checking the dryer’s vent-length specs and, where allowed, using a proper booster fan can make a big difference in airflow and safety.
Yes, we have more information available in our resources section. If you’d like to learn more and read related blog posts, you can visit our website here: https://freemansconstruction.com/resources. Thank you!