With all the work that goes into owning and maintaining a rental home during the busy summer season, thinking about dryer vents is probably not at the forefront of your mind. But considering clothes dryers are reported as the cause of 2,900 fires per year in the U.S., can you really afford not to maintain the dryer vents at a rental home? Luckily, it's relatively simple. You and your renters can handle a few of the key tasks involved in dryer vent maintenance yourselves.

Clear the Exhaust

The dryer vent should connect to an exterior exhaust, which lets hot air escape outdoors. These exterior vents can become blocked by leaves and other debris, especially after storms. If you can easily access the vent at the rental house, make it a habit to check this vent whenever you're at the property. Don't reach your hand inside the vent, but do clear away any debris from the cap to encourage good airflow.

Give Renters Guidance

Because you can't personally oversee daily operations in the rental home, your renters have to be responsible for some dryer vent maintenance. Not all renters will have the same level of understanding about the importance of this task; in fact, some young renters might not know how to properly use a clothes dryer.

Just as you surely give every renter information about safety and property rules, you should give each one information about dryer vent maintenance. An easy way to do this is to tape a sign to the dryer that points out where the lint trap is, and stresses the importance of clearing it after every use. Add language that tells renters to stop using the dryer and call you if they smell burning or notice any other unusual signs.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Keeping the lint trap and exterior exhaust clear are good everyday habits, but the lint that builds up inside the vent is a bigger threat because it's hard for people to clean this area themselves. HVAC specialists [LINK to HVAC page] can quickly and easily remove any buildup from inside the dryer vent. Schedule this service once a year, or more often if the dryer gets very heavy use.

Dryer function is one of those maintenance issues that seem to have pretty low stakes - until you get a call from a panicked renter who says the dryer is on fire. Protect your renters and your property by keeping rental home dryer vents in good working order. Let One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning help. Schedule an appointment to discuss your HVAC needs.