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bbkieffer
PeaAddict
PeaNut 284,458
November 2006
Posts: 1,173
Layouts: 4
Loc: Minnesota
 |  Posted: 2/5/2013 7:18:54 AM
My husband and I disagree...
If you were to stick your hand in your dryer (hasn't been used for a few hours) would you feel cold, outside air? We live in MN and it is cold here! Barely zero degree temps for over a week.
If I stick my hand in our dryer, you feel an instant cold draft. I don't think it's sealed right or something. He doesn't want to do the work...you get the picture.
If you open your dryer right now (provided it hasn't been used in several hours) how is the air? |
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biochemipea
likes shiny things
PeaNut 114,614
November 2003
Posts: 19,365
Layouts: 444
Loc: Ontario, Canada
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 7:19:44 AM
It is freezing in there because it vents to the outside! |
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Sarah*H
Bring me that horizon!
PeaNut 239,162
December 2005
Posts: 27,910
Layouts: 413
Loc: The final frontier
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 7:21:14 AM
I just tested it for you and mine is room temperature. |
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,192
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
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Sarah*H
Bring me that horizon!
PeaNut 239,162
December 2005
Posts: 27,910
Layouts: 413
Loc: The final frontier
| Posted: 2/5/2013 7:25:59 AM
Mine vents to the outside as well but it's not even a little bit cold inside. I wonder why.  |
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Monklady123
AncestralPea
PeaNut 475,028
July 2010
Posts: 4,504
Layouts: 0
Loc: Northern VA
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 7:26:01 AM
Mine's pretty cold because it vents outside. I don't think you can "seal" a dryer vent because venting is the whole idea. lol. But of course take my opinions with a grain of salt because I know nothing about dryers except that I have to keep my lint trap and vent thingy clear of lint.
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mkatiej
PeaFixture
PeaNut 179,915
December 2004
Posts: 3,403
Layouts: 81
Loc: Twin Cities, MN
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 7:27:24 AM
Mine is very cool and I know that because it vents to the outside 10 feet away.
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luvcookies
PeaAddict
PeaNut 409,644
January 2009
Posts: 1,916
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 7:33:34 AM
Room temp, it vents outside but the flaps are closed when the are not in use, so not really any cold air coming in.
We have ours through a basement window, was just installed last year, the window actually had the vent built in. |
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scrappinmyway
PeaNut
PeaNut 194,475
March 2005
Posts: 163
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/5/2013 7:58:17 AM
Mine is cold too, it is vented outside (right next to the dryer) and with the flaps closed. However, it is just barely in the teens this morning. |
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Peabay
Happy now?
PeaNut 156,993
July 2004
Posts: 44,683
Layouts: 13
Loc: Connecticut
| Posted: 2/5/2013 7:59:49 AM
Mine is definitely cold after a few hours. |
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missbitts
Know-It-Most
PeaNut 273,938
August 2006
Posts: 5,230
Layouts: 50
Loc: Hawthouse
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:02:23 AM
Mine vents to the outside as well but it's not even a little bit cold inside. I wonder why.
Might be time to clean the vent hose! | |
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ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,578
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 8:04:09 AM
vents thru the attic thru vents to the outdoors(i live in a basement home so what is my attic is at ground level)
i just got up and stuck my hand in the empty dryer
it's the same temperature as the air in the room
i'd be concerned if the air were cold...that, to me, says that cold air is entering my house
and it's about 20 degrees here
gina | |
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bbkieffer
PeaAddict
PeaNut 284,458
November 2006
Posts: 1,173
Layouts: 4
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:15:14 AM
Thanks for the responses so far ladies. I don't think we have the flap thing and we need one! We had a mouse in the house in November and I am betting he found his way in through the vent hose somehow. This is one of those things we were going to fix on the house when we moved in 13 years ago! I think this spring it will be taken care of!
Sorry I didn't set the poll up correctly. |
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maryannscraps
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 75,215
March 2003
Posts: 6,395
Layouts: 2
Loc: massachusetts
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:17:10 AM
Mine is cold inside. It vents outside -- the dryer is up against the outside wall, so it only goes about 2 feet. I keep the dryer door closed even when it's not in use and it's fine.
Honestly, my coffee cups are cold, too. They're in a cabinet that's against an outside wall. | |
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scrapsuzy
ScraPEA Suzy the Purr-ple Pea
PeaNut 67,643
February 2003
Posts: 16,151
Layouts: 77
Loc: Peachtree City, GA
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:24:14 AM
Room temp, it vents outside but the flaps are closed when the are not in use, so not really any cold air coming in.
Ours vents to the outside just about 6 feet away, and I know the hose is clean because we recently cleaned it.  |
*******
Suzanne
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ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,578
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:26:03 AM
my hoses are clear too...as is the vent
the flaps just don't allow for air to enter
i think the vent flap is pretty inexpensive and you can probably but it on yourself
gina | |
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peasful1
Needs a New Pea Title
PeaNut 44,870
August 2002
Posts: 14,176
Layouts: 1
Loc: Valley of the Sun
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:28:10 AM
i'd be concerned if the air were cold...that, to me, says that cold air is entering my house
I'd be more concerned if it were room temp. The flap is just that, a flap. It's not a sealed flap. Nor is it an insulated flap. There should be a difference in air temperature. If not, then your vent is not allowing free and clear air movement, probably due to years of build-up and is now a fire hazard.
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"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." -- Wayne Dyer
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scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 13,020
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:29:50 AM
I'd be more concerned if it were room temp. The flap is just that, a flap. It's not a sealed flap. Nor is it an insulated flap. There should be a difference in air temperature. If not, then your vent is not allowing free and clear air movement, probably due to years of build-up and is now a fire hazard.
I disagree. My dh cleans our vent regularly and has a proper fitting vent and there is no hot or cold air coming in from the outside. |
 
Blessed Be! | |
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kellybelly77
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 281,401
October 2006
Posts: 2,425
Layouts: 0
Loc: Topeka
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:31:01 AM
Ours is cold also as it vents to the outside. The vent is directly below the kitchen window above my sink. When it's really cold the window fogs because of the steam coming out of the vent! |
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biochemipea
likes shiny things
PeaNut 114,614
November 2003
Posts: 19,365
Layouts: 444
Loc: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:31:19 AM
Our dryer has a flap, as did the dryer at our old house, as does my parents' dryer, and my IL's dryer. All are cold inside in the winter.
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Iowa_girl
PeaNut
PeaNut 225,620
October 2005
Posts: 380
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:33:52 AM
It depends on wind direction. If a good wind from the northwest is howling , I can hear that dryer vent flapping - and the inside of my dryer is COLD!
We had a mouse in the house in November and I am betting he found his way in through the vent hose somehow.
If that is the case, your hose is not installed right, or there is a hole in it. There is no way it could go through the hose and dryer.
Mice can fit through the most amazingly small holes, slip in through an open door (open just for a minute while you are walking in) or catch a ride in on something.
We did have a kitten in our dryer vent once. The outside flap had gotten stuck open (under the little hood thing that attaches to the side of the house. I could hear a meowing in the basement where the dryer is - followed the sound to the dryer hose - and there it was. I took the vent hose off the wall and rescued the poor little thing. It was very happy to see me. Also fixed the flap! Some lint had wedged it open. | |
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knit.pea
. cheeky cousin .
PeaNut 158,945
July 2004
Posts: 7,112
Layouts: 112
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:34:15 AM
Single-digit temps here, didn't use it yesterday.
Air inside dryer is cool but no movement of air.
Metal drum is very cold.
Vented to outside (a couple feet) with flaps on outside vent.
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ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,578
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:34:46 AM
actually....my house is only three years old so there are no 'years' of build up
the vent hose was cleaned this summer when we changed dryers
maybe it's the fact that the air travels a bit to and from the dryer...maybe it's being heated by the furnace?
but don't assume fault with either my house or neglect because i have warm air and you have cold
i've done laundry in many homes...in many climates
and i can't recall ever reaching into an obviously cold dryer
gina | |
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ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,578
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:44:39 AM
this website sells a device to keep the cold air out
and the creative energy technology site says
“On conventional dryer vents, outside air enters your home through the exposed dryer vent, which means higher heating bills in winter and higher cooling bills in summer. You will be amazed at how much cold air coming through your dryer vent adds to your heating bill- and how hot, muggy summer air adds to air conditioning costs.
and it was pretty easy to google...many people complain and are then offered solutions (usually a change in the type of vent flap) to keep the cold air out
so from my two minutes searching...i think cold air is NOT the norm
gina | |
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biochemipea
likes shiny things
PeaNut 114,614
November 2003
Posts: 19,365
Layouts: 444
Loc: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:46:27 AM
To me it sounds like it is so normal that someone has invented a vent alternative to help with the cold.
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maallen
PeaAddict
PeaNut 289,617
January 2007
Posts: 1,791
Layouts: 0
Loc: USA
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:58:00 AM
Ours is cold - not freezing but definitely noticable. |
| Ever get the feeling your stuff strutted off without you? | |
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TheBiscuitScraps
Bubbie is my most prized title.
PeaNut 99,833
August 2003
Posts: 5,226
Layouts: 2
Loc: Raleigh, North Carolina
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:59:47 AM
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PEArfect
AncestralPea
PeaNut 452,048
January 2010
Posts: 4,497
Layouts: 0
Loc: Indiana
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 9:00:31 AM
Our dryer is room temperature. It vents outside and has a flap. It has always been room temperature, so it's not because the vent hose needs to be cleaned out.
You would think those of you that have really cold dryers would have condensation on your dryer, floor, and wall. Eventually causing mold. |
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Sarah*H
Bring me that horizon!
PeaNut 239,162
December 2005
Posts: 27,910
Layouts: 413
Loc: The final frontier
| Posted: 2/5/2013 9:07:08 AM
actually....my house is only three years old so there are no 'years' of build up
the vent hose was cleaned this summer when we changed dryers
Same here. Our house is only two years old and I clean out the vent hose regularly. It's not cold. Maybe they put the energy saving flap on when they built it; we have a special energy something or other rating and had to pass a huge day long test to get it so that would be my guess. |
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bbkieffer
PeaAddict
PeaNut 284,458
November 2006
Posts: 1,173
Layouts: 4
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 2/5/2013 9:21:14 AM
Thanks so much everyone! I am going to purchase one of those vents posted here by Carol and Gina. I will make sure the shipping address is to my husband's name so he can open the package! He will be more than happy to install it once the temps are above 30 degrees.
We are still not real sure how the mouse got in, but my cat has been warned to pay better attention. |
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maryannscraps
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 75,215
March 2003
Posts: 6,395
Layouts: 2
Loc: massachusetts
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:21:16 AM
You would think those of you that have really cold dryers would have condensation on your dryer, floor, and wall. Eventually causing mold.
Why? It's cold inside the dryer, but it's quite dry. When the dryer is running, the hot, humid air is vented to the outside.
Never had a mold problem (especially in the winter -- it's so dry here.) | |
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biochemipea
likes shiny things
PeaNut 114,614
November 2003
Posts: 19,365
Layouts: 444
Loc: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:24:52 AM
You would think those of you that have really cold dryers would have condensation on your dryer, floor, and wall. Eventually causing mold.
I have never had mold or condensation in our laundry room(s).
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*Delphinium Twinkle*
I'm just a pea:)
PeaNut 163,613
August 2004
Posts: 68,340
Layouts: 236
Loc: *Sunny Southern California*
| Posted: 2/5/2013 1:12:23 PM
Maybe your vent hose is cracked or split or disconnected.
Ours split and it was cold in my dryer. As soon as we fixed it the dryer was no longer cooler than room temp |
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simiesue
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 21,852
September 2001
Posts: 2,697
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/5/2013 2:24:34 PM
Ours is COLD!!! But I do know that one of the 4 flaps is missing from the dryer vent that is outside. I just hope a bird doesnt decide to build a nest there. lol | |
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simiesue
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 21,852
September 2001
Posts: 2,697
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/5/2013 2:28:09 PM
Forgot to add that when we lived in MN... my dryer was never cold.. but that was probably because the vent ran the entire length of the house... In our house now, the vent is very close to the dryer ~5ft so it makes sense that it is cold. | |
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TinCin
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 29,331
February 2002
Posts: 6,220
Layouts: 0
Loc: Living in the palm of the hand.
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:39:25 PM
Mine is colder than the house but not as cold as outside. My vent cover has flaps on it so that helps but there is still going to be a small amount of air leakage from the outside coming in. Peas who have gas dryers may have a warmer temp inside them because of the pilot running. |
| PROUD MEMBER OF UAW LOCAL 659 - Home of the Sit-Down Strike! | |
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renateb
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 15,311
May 2001
Posts: 2,360
Layouts: 292
Loc: illinois
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 8:47:24 PM
cold - it vents right outside. The outside vent has a cover with louvers, but that doesn't really hold out any cold. | |
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C3PeaO
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 93,552
June 2003
Posts: 2,843
Layouts: 64
Loc: Canada
| Posted: 2/5/2013 9:41:41 PM
Ours is sometimes cold and sometimes not. I assume that's because sometimes our vent flaps lie closed and sometimes they don't.
To be honest, I have never cleaned out my dryer hose, though DH does clean the vent itself for those who do this regularly, do you just disconnect it and vacuum or buy one of those kits? |
Carrie
Engineer, wife, and mommy to two cute gaffers! | |
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He**inWA
*Clever Pea Title Here*
PeaNut 220,816
August 2005
Posts: 8,903
Layouts: 2
Loc: Hidden under a pile of scrap!
| Posted: 2/5/2013 9:54:12 PM
Thanks for the links to the one-way dryer vent items.
I have not been able to find anything similar locally, just the cheapest plastic flapped items.
It never occurred to me to look on Amazon.
I have squirrels, and a couple wood peckers that want inside the house, in any manner they can get in.
Thanks again! |
He**inWA
  
'Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell' -Edna St. Vincent Millay | |
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