A concentric vent is a type of dryer vent that is commonly used in homes. It consists of two concentric tubes, one inside the other.
The primary role of a concentric vent is to exhaust hot air and fumes from your dryer to the outside of your home. This helps to prevent your dryer from overheating and potentially starting a fire.
The concentric vent is a handy system that can prevent many issues.
However, the concentric vent system isn’t flawless, and you may encounter specific problems that could affect the venting process.
What are the most common concentric vent problems?
Concentric vents are mechanical ventilation that uses two pipes, one inside the other, to draw exhaust fumes out of a building while fresh air is brought in.
The space between the two pipes is typically filled with insulation to help keep heat in and cold out.
Concentric vents are often used in residential applications, such as furnaces or boilers, to exhaust fumes generated by the appliances.
Using a concentric vent has numerous benefits, including a lower risk of condensation and mold growth.
When humid air from the outside comes into contact with a cold surface, such as an uninsulated pipe, it can condense and form water droplets.
If this water is not promptly removed, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause serious health problems.
A concentric vent has two pipes – an inner pipe that exhausts the air and an outer pipe that provides fresh air – which helps to prevent condensation and mold growth.
Improved energy efficiency is yet another significant benefit of this system. By exhausting stale, humid air and providing fresh air, a concentric vent helps improve a home’s overall energy efficiency.
By improving the energy efficiency of a home or building, a concentric vent can also help to reduce heating and cooling costs.
To solve any concentric vent problem, especially if it’s pretty severe and complex, it is necessary to understand the nature of these issues.
This approach will also help you detect and prevent these issues in the future, as you’ll be able to recognize them early on.
1. Kinked or damaged vent hose
The airflow in the concentric vent system may be blocked or restricted due to a kinked or crushed vent hose.
The vent hose has a pivotal rule in this system; if it is not working correctly, the airflow will be restricted.
2. Frozen concentric vent
The concentric vent can often freeze due to cold weather if the temperature gets too low and the humidity is high.
The frozen parts of the system will prevent airflow and compromise the system.
3. The vent cover is clogged.
The role of the vent cover is to allow air to flow into the boiler so it can operate properly.
If the vent cover is clogged with dirt or debris, it will limit the airflow and cause the boiler to overheat.
To prevent this, regularly check and clean the vent cover.
4. The vent pipe is too long or too small.
Too long of a vent pipe in your concentric vent system could limit the airflow, causing the air to swirl rather than flow and create resistance in the system.
This resistance could eventually lead to a decrease in the system’s overall efficiency and performance.
On the other hand, the vent pipe shouldn’t be too small either, as it could also cause resistance and block airflow.
5. Faulty exhaust fan
The role of the exhaust fan in the concentric vent system is to expel the polluted air from inside your home outside.
If the exhaust fan isn’t working correctly, the home could quickly become filled with pollutants and contaminants.
How to fix concentric vent problems
Luckily, each of the mentioned concentric vent problems has a rather effective solution, so keep reading to learn how to fix your venting system.
1. Replace the kinked vent hose
If your concentric vent hose is kinked, it can cause problems with your dryer’s performance. In addition, a kinked vent hose can also be a fire hazard.
To replace a kinked concentric vent hose:
- Disconnect the power to your dryer.
- Remove the old vent hose from the dryer.
- Cut the new vent hose to the correct length.
- Connect the new vent hose to the dryer.
- Reconnect the power to your dryer.
2. Prevent the concentric vent from freezing
To prevent your concentric vent system from freezing, you should insulate all exposed pipes and fittings.
Use electrical heat tape on metal or PVC vents, or purchase self-regulating heat tape, which turns itself on and off as needed to maintain a consistent temperature.
You can also insulate your pipes with spray foam insulation, which is available at most hardware stores. If you have a particularly vulnerable section of pipe, you can use a space heater to keep the area around the pipe warm.
However, if the concentric vent is frozen, you can thaw it yourself with a hair dryer or a space heater.
Start by thawing the section of pipe closest to the appliance, then work your way down the length of the pipe.
Once the entire pipe is thawed, turn on your appliance and check for leaks.
3. Unclog the vent cover
Removing the clog from the vent cover will usually take only a few minutes and a few simple supplies.
First, remove the concentric vent cover by unscrewing it with a screwdriver. Be careful not to lose the screws.
Next, put on your gloves and use a wire brush to clean the vent cover. Be sure to get all the dirt and debris out of the way. Finally, insert the screw and tighten it.
4. Choose the proper vent pipe size
If the concentric vent pipe is too short or too long, the system will not function properly. The optimal size of the pipe is determined by the manufacturer of your particular system.
The next thing to consider is the location of the vent pipe. The pipe must be installed so as not to impede the function of any other system in the home, and it must also be installed in a way that will allow for proper drainage.
5. Replace the exhaust fan
Replacing your exhaust fan can be a somewhat complex process, including two phases and several steps.
Therefore, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you should have a professional take over this task.
First, you will need to turn off the power to the exhaust fan. You can do this by flipping the switch on the wall near the fan or shutting off the circuit breaker that controls the fan. Once the power is off, you can proceed to the next step.
Next, remove the old exhaust fan, and the first step is to remove its cover. Most covers are held with screws, so you will need to remove these screws with a screwdriver.
Once the cover is off, you should be able to see the blades of the fan. You will then need to disconnect the blades from the motor by unscrewing the nuts that hold the blades. After the nuts have been removed, you can pull the blades off the motor.
With the blades disconnected, you can now remove the motor from the housing by removing its screws and pulling the motor off.
With the old exhaust fan removed, you can now proceed to install the new one. Insert the new motor into the housing, and once the motor is in place, you can then screw it into place with the screws you removed from the old fan.
Next, you will need to connect the blades to the new motor. Screw the nuts back onto the motor studs, then reattach the fan’s cover.
Finally, you will need to turn the power back on to the fan. You can do this by flipping the switch on the wall or resetting the circuit breaker. Once the power is on, you should hear the new exhaust fan running.
David Kessler is a CSLB licensed contractor with over 25 years of experience. He is specialized in home building, construction, and electrical works; he also has a keen eye for interior design and, over the years, has collaborated with various architects.
