- 321-872-7782
- natesdryerventcleaning@gmail.com
- Licensed, Insured & Certified!
- 321-872-7782
- natesdryerventcleaning@gmail.com
- Licensed, Insured & Certified!
If so, is it operational? Is it noisy? Has it ever been cleaned or serviced?
Many homes, condominiums and other properties throughout Brevard County and Florida’s Space Coast have a dryer vent booster fan installed somewhere along the dryer exhaust system – often in an attic, above a ceiling, or concealed behind drywall. Some homeowners know exactly where theirs is located. Others don’t realize they have one until the dryer begins taking longer to dry, the fan becomes noisy, or an airflow problem develops.
At Nate’s Dryer Vent Cleaning, we service dryer vent booster fans and dryer exhaust vent booster fans as part of the complete dryer exhaust system. Our services include cleaning and preventative maintenance, troubleshooting for non-working fans, diagnosing noises and vibration, and removal when appropriate.
If your dryer vent booster fan isn’t working, cleaning the dryer vent alone will not solve the airflow problem.
Despite being used against dryer manufacturers recommendations, sometimes builders or contractors will install A dryer vent booster fan to help move exhaust air through longer or more restrictive dryer vent systems. When the fan stops operating, the fan assembly itself can effectively become a restriction or blockage within the exhaust pathway
Dryer vent booster fans are not maintenance-free. Manufacturer guidance varies by product and model, but some manufacturers specifically call for periodic inspection and cleaning of lint from the fan impeller. Current Fantech guidance for its DEDPV-705, for example, calls for an annual inspection to make sure the impeller is free of obstruction or lint loading. Always follow the instructions for the specific equipment installed in your home.
Properly cleaning a dryer vent booster fan requires more than vacuuming around the outside. We disconnect the fan from the dryer exhaust vent system so both sides and the fan assembly can be accessed and cleaned. The fan is then reinstalled, the duct connections are secured, and operation is tested.
Starting price: $209. Accessibility and existing installation conditions can affect final pricing.
A noisy dryer vent booster fan does not automatically mean the fan needs to be replaced or removed. One of the leading causes of booster fan noise we encounter is lint accumulation on the fan blades. As more lint builds up, the fan can become increasingly noisy and may become unbalanced.
Sometimes the noise is related to the installation rather than the fan itself. The fan, ductwork or another component may be touching surrounding building material and create a vibrating or rattling sound. We have had good success identifying and eliminating these types of noises.
Noise troubleshooting related to lint buildup or installation conditions falls under our dryer vent booster fan maintenance / cleaning service.
When a dryer vent booster fan stops working, our first recommendation is to troubleshoot it rather than immediately remove it. A common component in these systems can fail, and replacing it may be all that’s needed to restore the fan to proper operation.
If we’re already on site, our troubleshooting fee is $45. If our replacement part restores operation, the part is an additional $20, making the troubleshooting/repair portion $65 total, in addition to the booster fan service. If the part does not solve the problem, you pay only the $45 troubleshooting fee unless we choose, at our discretion, to waive it.
Not sure whether you need cleaning, troubleshooting or removal? That’s exactly what we’re here to determine. Our goal is to restore proper operation when practical – not automatically remove a dryer vent booster fan simply because it isn’t working.
Removing a dryer vent booster fan is not automatically the right answer. Before we recommend permanently removing one, we want to know whether the dryer that is actually installed can move enough air through that specific dryer exhaust vent system without powered assistance.
Different dryers can produce very different exhaust airflow. To establish a baseline, we use an anemometer to measure air velocity directly at the dryer’s exhaust outlet. We perform this test under controlled conditions with no clothes in the drum and with the lint screen thoroughly cleaned. This gives us a baseline reading for the dryer itself.
With the dryer vent booster fan removed or temporarily bypassed, the dryer vent must be clean before we evaluate the airflow at the exterior termination. We then attempt to obtain a second anemometer reading at the point of discharge. Depending on the style of exterior vent cover and the way the air exits the termination, an accurate reading may not always be possible. When that limitation exists, we explain it to the customer.
By comparing the dryer’s baseline airflow with the airflow that reaches the end of the cleaned vent system, we can make a better-informed recommendation about whether the dryer on site appears capable of exhausting through the existing vent without the booster fan. This helps us avoid making a one-size-fits-all recommendation about removal.
If the airflow is satisfactory without the booster fan, we can recommend an appropriate dryer vent cleaning schedule based on the vent length and configuration, the dryer’s performance, household laundry volume and how quickly lint tends to accumulate.
If the dryer cannot adequately move air through the existing exhaust run on its own, one alternative we commonly discuss is a long-vent dryer – a dryer specifically designed for longer exhaust runs and stronger airflow capability – rather than simply removing the booster fan and leaving the system underperforming.
If a dryer vent booster fan is not working and troubleshooting does not successfully restore it, removal may be an option. Our starting price for removal is $209.
Removing the fan leaves approximately a 6-inch gap in the dryer exhaust duct where the fan was installed. We add the necessary section of ductwork to reconnect the exhaust pathway and make the duct system whole again.
Some dryer vent booster fans plug into an electrical outlet, while others are hardwired. When removal involves a hardwired fan, the wiring must be safely terminated and enclosed as appropriate for the installation. When we have to address wiring associated with a hardwired booster fan, the additional charge is $45.
Some dryer vent booster fans were installed without practical service access. If the fan is concealed behind drywall, access must be created before it can be inspected, cleaned, serviced or removed. The additional charge for creating drywall access is $95.
After drywall is removed, there are three common options:
Creating permanent access can make future dryer vent booster fan inspection and maintenance considerably easier.
Why do some services have a starting price? Dryer vent booster fans can be installed in attics, ceilings, behind drywall and other difficult-to-access locations. Accessibility and existing installation conditions can affect the amount of labor required. Any additional work and pricing should be explained before proceeding.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
Dryer vent booster fan cleaning / maintenance | Starting at $209 |
Dryer vent booster fan removal & duct reconnection | Starting at $209 |
Troubleshooting a non-working fan | $45 |
Replacement troubleshooting part, if successful | +20 |
Hardwired fan electrical handling | +45 |
Creating access through drywall | +95 |
14 x 14-inch plastic access panel installation | +45 |
Why do some services have a starting price? Dryer vent booster fans can be installed in attics, ceilings, behind drywall and other difficult-to-access locations. Accessibility and existing installation conditions can affect the amount of labor required. Any additional work and pricing should be explained before proceeding.
You may also encounter the term DEDPV, which stands for Dryer Exhaust Duct Power Ventilator. Although homeowners and service companies commonly use terms such as ‘dryer booster fan’ and ‘dryer vent booster fan,’ a listed DEDPV is a specific type of equipment designed and tested for dryer exhaust applications.
This distinction matters. Current Fantech literature, for example, explains that a DEDPV is different from a generic dryer booster because the DEDPV must comply with specific safety requirements. Whether a particular fan is appropriate depends on the equipment, dryer manufacturer’s instructions, exhaust-system design and applicable code requirements.
Operation varies by model. Depending on the system, signs of a problem may include longer drying times, weak airflow at the exterior termination, an indicator warning, or failure to hear or feel the fan operating. Some listed DEDPVs include an indicator panel that shows operating status. If you’re unsure, we can inspect and troubleshoot the system. Sometimes you can faintly hear the sound of the fan when it’s operational, in those cases, when you no longer hear it, it’s likely not working. Another way to determine is, turn your dryer on for 3-5 minutes, this should give the booster fan enough time to activate (from the dryer air-pressure). Then, immediately pull the lint trap out and put your ear to the lint trap and determine if you hear a fan or air movement. You can also put your fingers in the lint trap to see if you feel or see airflow movement
Lint buildup on the fan blades is one of the leading causes we encounter. As lint accumulates, the fan can become noisier or unbalanced. Rattling or vibration can also come from the fan or ductwork contacting nearby building material. We troubleshoot these conditions as part of booster fan maintenance and cleaning.
Yes, they can accumulate lint and require inspection and cleaning according to the specific manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer guidance varies, so the installed model’s maintenance instructions should be followed.
The correct interval depends on the manufacturer, model and usage. Some current manufacturer guidance calls for annual inspection, while older or different models may specify periodic inspection based on dryer usage. High-use systems may need attention sooner.
Yes. Our maintenance process involves disconnecting the fan so both sides and the fan assembly can be accessed, removing lint buildup, reinstalling the fan and testing operation. Cleaning / maintenance starts at $209.
We can troubleshoot a non-working fan and attempt the common repair described above. Our troubleshooting fee is $45, and if our $20 replacement part restores operation, the troubleshooting/repair portion totals $65. Not every failed fan can be restored, so removal may be considered when troubleshooting is unsuccessful.
Not automatically. When practical, we first troubleshoot a non-working fan. If removal is being considered, we also evaluate whether the dryer currently on site can adequately exhaust through the cleaned vent system without the booster fan. We use an anemometer to establish a baseline airflow reading at the dryer and, when the termination allows a reliable measurement, compare it with airflow at the exterior discharge. Removal may be appropriate when the fan cannot be restored and the dryer can adequately support the existing vent run.
We test the dryer’s airflow at the exhaust outlet with an anemometer under controlled conditions, then evaluate airflow at the end of the cleaned vent system with the booster fan removed or bypassed. The exterior vent cover can sometimes make a precise terminal reading difficult, so we explain any measurement limitations. The goal is to determine how well the dryer and that specific vent system perform together.
In that situation, one alternative we commonly recommend discussing is a long-vent dryer. These dryers are specifically designed for longer exhaust runs and can provide greater installation flexibility than a standard dryer. The appropriate solution still depends on the actual dryer, vent length, elbows, termination and manufacturer requirements.
We can create access when necessary. Creating drywall access is an additional $95. Afterward, the opening can be professionally repaired, converted into a permanent access hatch, or fitted with a removable plastic access panel. We offer the plastic access-panel option for an additional $45.
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Yes. If the fan is part of a system that depends on powered assistance to overcome a long or restrictive duct run, a non-operational fan can reduce airflow and contribute to longer drying times. Other dryer and vent problems can cause the same symptom, so the system should be evaluated rather than assuming the booster fan is the only cause.
Nate’s Dryer Vent Cleaning provides dryer vent booster fan cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and removal throughout Brevard County and Florida’s Space Coast. We service homes, condominiums and other properties with longer or more complex dryer exhaust systems.
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We’ve written an in-depth educational article explaining booster fans and DEDPVs, why they are used, common problems we encounter in the field, and important considerations for homeowners. Read Nate’s complete Booster Fans / DEDPVs article
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