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abad14 · Feb 7, 2008, 10:39 AM

Is it possible OK to feed a dryer vent into an already existing heater vent?

I am thinking of installing a dryer in the middle of lower level two story house. The closest vent is the heater in the closet with the heater and water heater. Is it OK to run the went from the dryer into one of these vents? Or do I have to run a new vent?

twinkiedooter · Feb 7, 2008, 10:44 AM

A new vent to the outside is best as you do not want any lint build up or any lint going into your existing furnace vent. This would cause untold problems with your furnace.

ballengerb1 · Feb 7, 2008, 11:56 AM

By saying, " from the dryer into one of these vents" are you talking about the combustion exhaust vents? No you can not tap into thses exhausts since it will cause a back up of carbon monoixide into the home. Insta;ll and electric dryer or run a exhaust tube to the outside wall.

rspeed · Oct 19, 2009, 04:14 PM

DIY solution I have an electric drier and I built a box that a standard window screen can slide into sandwiched with a standard 1" furnace filter and I blow my dryer into this box in the winter. You have to keep the screen and filter clean! I then intalled a cold air inlet to my furnace close to this box. When the furace kicks on it draws in this heated clean humid air. Sometimes I run the blower manually while drying. The box does not get that hot but I lined it with thin aluminum and tacked it inside also used metal tape. (throwaway oven pans work great as lining material)

speedball1 · Oct 19, 2009, 04:30 PM

Good thinking "outside the box" speedy! The experts are correct abad. You can't connect back to the heater vent. Either run the vent outside or terminate it in a box like speed suggests. Good luck, Tom

twinkiedooter · Oct 19, 2009, 04:56 PM

You are bound to have a lint build up regardless of WHAT type of filter you install in the box contraption you made. Unless it is a HEPA filter that is. The lint build up is going to lodge inside your blower motor of the furnace and possibly cause a fire. Not such a wonderful idea you had after all. Sorry. Venting to the outside is CRUCIAL when it comes to lint and lint build up. Sometimes the lint is so fine you can't see it - but your motor will attract it like a magnet and it WILL build up on the motor's guts.

Milo Dolezal · Oct 19, 2009, 06:47 PM

NO, NO and NO again. I thought it was a joke. They are two, completely different vents that share a same name. I agree with everybody who said NO to your idea.

Run separate dryer vent that will terminate on the exterior of your house.