Among the different household equipment, dryers are on top of the list for my ‘life-saving’ equipment. They come in handy when I am doing that last-minute laundry, which should be dry the following day.
However, just like any other equipment, they too have their problems and maintenance needs. If you have visited this site and are reading this article, then it means that you are experiencing a problem with your dryer.
The specific problems I suspect you are experiencing include longer drying times or accumulation of lint in the dryer ducting. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you are a last-minute person like me.
The solution to this problem is quite simple! Get a dryer booster fan, and because it might be hard to do this, I have prepared a guide with a review for the best dryer booster fans.
Why do I need a Dryer Booster Fan?
Having a clogged dryer vent is not a walk in the park. Clogged dryer vents trap air keeping clothes hot and moist such that if you remove them after a cycle, the clothes will still feel damp.
For me, clothes taking longer to dry is purely annoying (especially since I am a last-minute person). Sometimes, people will ask the question of how they can prevent this clogging.
Whenever there are clothes and dryers, lint is bound to appear somewhere in the figure. This leads to the unfortunate but truthful answer- that some things are not preventable. However, getting a dryer booster fan can help reduce the problem and its effects.
Have you ever moved and found that you cannot set up a dryer next to an external wall? Before I learned that the dryer booster fan would be of use, this is one nightmare that I always dreamed about.
When you find out that you cannot set up a dryer next to an external wall, the only viable solution usually entails installing longer dryer ducts. If you connect the dryer to ducts that are 25 feet or longer, it is advisable to get a dryer fan to ensure that the dryer continues to work speedily. The above are the main reasons why you should get a dryer booster fan.
It would be unfair to leave you at getting a dryer booster fan without talking about how it works to solve your problems. The dryer booster fan helps in boosting airflow through the dryer duct.
A boost in the airflow reduces the amount of lint back up and significantly reduces the amount of time for drying clothes. There are two ways that you can switch your dryer booster fan- through a pressure switch or a current sensing relay.
Also Read about the Best Register Booster Fan
How Do I Install My Dryer Booster Fan?
What stood out for most of the dryers reviewed above is their ease of installation. This tells us that installing your dryer booster fan is far from complicated.
Before I tell you how to install your booster fan, you must understand where it should be positioned. The fan has to 15 feet away from the outlet. It should be positioned at the end of the ducts to make it more comfortable during maintenance.
Installation involves cutting the existing duct. I have seen people use different duct materials and pipes, such as flexible vinyl and rigid PVC pipes. However, this almost always results in a broken-down system as these materials cannot handle the high temperatures from the dryers.
As such, you should use aluminum pipes. This is then followed by attaching the booster fan. Ensure that the booster fan at this point is in line. It is as simple as that unless the equipment requires some electrical work, such as the Tjernlund in-Line Fan Dryer Duct Booster 4″. However, for most of the dryer booster fans, no electrical work is needed.
Commonly Asked Questions When Selecting or After Purchase of a Dryer Booster Fan
We all agree that purchasing new equipment comes with a myriad of questions. Although the bulk of those questions has been addressed in the above section, this information is not adequate.
Additionally, there is some information that comes with the fans, but it is still inadequate. It might appear harsh to say that this information is inadequate. However, it comes from a personal experience.
When I purchased my first dryer booster fan, I used an essential lint bag to catch all the lint. Those who have attempted this know that it is a fire hazard. I was lucky enough that a maintenance guy stepped in before this situation turned fatal.
This incident forms the basis of the first commonly asked question- can you use a simple basic lint bag to trap lint? Do I need a lint trap in the first place? The answer to the first question is NO.
However, some people argue that this basic lint bag will work well for collecting lint in short dryer ducts- without dryer booster fans. Using it with a dryer booster fan could easily lead to dislodging of the lint, causing the potential for a fire of the lint to come into contact with a hot fan. What is the solution? Ensure that the lint bag you install has ridges.
On the second question, you will need a lint trap! Lint is something that we cannot avoid where there are clothes and dryers involved. You need the lint trap more if the dryer booster is more than 15 feet from the central unit.
I bet that you wouldn’t like your drying room to have low air quality circulating within it, including the dampness of mold buildup. A lint trap helps take care of this in addition to increasing the durability of the HVAC system.
Best Dryer Booster Fans
1. Fantech DBF 110 Dryer Booster Fan
The two critical things that I check when purchasing equipment include the manufacturing company’s reputation and the price. Well, the Fantech DBF 110 Dryer Booster Fan is from a reputable company that has been dealing with HVAC systems, their safety, and improvement for quite a long time now. This fan is also reasonably priced, considering all the benefits that it brings to your space.
It is also compatible with most HVAC systems eliminating the stress of changing your entire HVAC system. the fan is also free of lint traps and is high quality, guaranteeing durability.
The other feature that makes this dryer booster fan one of the best is its ease of installation. No one wants to spend hours fixing something. Fortunately, this dryer booster comes with screws and a mounting setup making it easy to fix. However, this may be a bit difficult for those who are not DIY lovers and may require getting assistance.
The only drawback that most users have mentioned is the problematic switch. It is difficult to get a setting where the switch will work correctly. However, this has an easy solution as you can always get a manual switch.
Pros
- The equipment has a high air velocity
- Reasonably priced
- Lint trap free
- Compatible with most HVAC systems
- Ease of installation
- Durable
Cons
- Problematic switch
2. Tjernlund LT4 Lint Trap for DEDPV (Dryer Booster Fans)
- Works with any brand DEDPV (Dryer Booster Fan)
- Installs in a few minutes
- Reduces possible lint build up in duct work or fan
- Easy access for cleaning
- Stabilizes air flow for better Fan Control performance
Money is not easy to come by, and therefore when purchasing equipment, all of us want something that is durable and will serve its purpose well.
If you are currently looking for a durable dryer booster fan, then your search is over. The Tjernlund LT4 Lint Trap is one of its kind as it comes in a metallic casing guaranteeing its durability.
Installation of the dryer booster fan is relatively easy, making it enjoyable for any new user. The fan is also reasonably priced, so you do not have to worry about saving for a long time before its purchase.
I know that most of you will agree when I say that emptying filters is one annoying job. Therefore, when looking for a dryer booster fan, I wanted one that would not require a lot of empty, and I am so happy that I got the Tjernlund LT4 Lint Trap since it only requires emptying the filter once per month.
This review is meant to help you make the right decision by understanding both the pros and cons of every piece of equipment. As such, the con of this fan is that users may experience exhaust leaks through the door. This should not hinder the purchase of this equipment as weather stripping quickly solves the leaks.
Pros
- Metal construction guarantees durability
- Ease of installation
- Reasonably priced
- The filter does not need frequent emptying.
Cons
- Users may experience exhaust leaks through the door.
3. Spruce Automatic Clothes Dryer Exhaust Duct Power Ventilator Booster Fan
- Increases airflow/efficiency of duct run. For 4" duct, 14-20watts
- Features an Energy Star Rated RB110 Inline Fan
- RB110 Fan Specifications: 120V, 60Hz, 1.0 Amps Max, Class F Insulation, Continuous Duty.
- RB110 Fan is ETL Listed. Conforms to UL STD. 507 Certified to CAN/CSA STD. C22.2 No.113
- RB110 CFM @ 0" WC = 121, 0.2" WC = 100, 0.5" WC = 68, 0.75" WC = 20
Some years back, I purchased a booster fan, and the noise was a menace. It was as if there was a plane flying right above our house. From that time, I swore that any purchase I would make would have to be of a quiet dryer booster fan.
I would say that with the Spruce Automatic Clothes Dryer Exhaust Duct Power Ventilator Booster Fan, my search for a dryer booster with quiet operations is over.
This equipment is also designed in such a way that it resists lint clogging. This means that you will not have to worry about heaps of lint clogging in your dryer and increasing the drying time. The booster fan also comes with an air pressure sensing switch to activate the fan once the dryer is on.
We all agree that the installation of any equipment is of utmost importance. It is like the first impression that equipment creates on the user. Well, this equipment creates a not-so-good impression as it requires hooking up electrical elements. Although there are clear instructions, this may require someone who understands electrical stuff.
Pros
- Quiet operations
- Lint clogging resistant design
- Has an air pressure sensing switch
Cons
- Installation may be a bit hectic.
4. Hydroplanet™ 4 Inch Duct Fan, Exhaust Booster Fan
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By now, I know most of you understand how important it is to have an easy-to-install dryer booster fan. It makes work so much easier and even allows you to use your equipment on the very day that it arrives. An added advantage of the Hydroplanet™ 4 Inch Duct Fan, Exhaust Booster Fan is light.
An easy-to-install dryer booster fan coupled with whisper-quiet operations makes the best device of all times. This fan is so quiet that you will have to touch it to feel that it is operating.
The other advantage is that it comes with a two-year warranty. This is good news for those who want some kind of insurance when purchasing a particular product.
Further, the company has a money-back policy, which means that if you are not satisfied with the fan, you can return it and get your money back.
This dryer booster’s drawbacks include that it is made of plastic, which may affect its durability. It also has a low CFM limiting its usefulness. The CFM is 65-100, which may not handle households or spaces where a lot of washing and drying is done.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Light
- Whisper quiet operations
- Two years warranty with a money-back policy
Cons
- Low CFM
- Made of plastic
5. VIVOSUN Inline HVAC Booster Fan
- Durable: The fan has a strong motor which features a permanently lubricated bearing that operates quietly and requires no maintenance
- Compact But Efficient: This duct fan is compact and lightweight enough to be installed in areas with little available space; With a diameter of 4 inches, speed of 2930 RPM and 100 CFM air flow
- Low Noise: Superior balanced centrifugal impeller for long service life & quiet operation; A less than 30 dB noise level does not have any harm and will not disturb your work
- Wide Applications: You can have it in bathrooms, kitchens, workshops, basements, attics and etc, in order to boost airflow in HVAC systems; Also, it can be used in grow rooms as intake fans or exhaust fan
- Specifications: Voltage 110/120V, Power 14W; Max Operating Temp of Motor is 130℃ / 266℉; Max Ambient Temp is 60℃ / 140℉; Note: Please turn the fan off immediately if the blades get stuck by other objects
- To maintain optimal performance of the exhaust fan, clean the fan after the first week of use with the carbon filter connected, and then clean regularly based on usage conditions
The VIVOSUN Inline HVAC Booster Fan is truly a miracle. Although this may sound like hyperbole, this is what this device brings into your space.
First, apart from fastening the dryer, the equipment has built temperature control, reducing the amount of moisture within your drying spaces and leaving them fresh. This renders this equipment entirely eco-friendly.
Noise can drive you crazy, and the manufacturers of this fan know that all too well. That is why they have made a dryer booster fan with quiet operations to give you maximum peace during operations.
The dryer booster fan is also compact and can fit into tiny spaces. After all, who doesn’t like a piece of equipment that will not give them the headache of looking for additional space to squeeze it in?
The problem with this fan is in its durability. The blades are made of plastic, which means that the dryer booster may break down under intense operations.
The other drawback is the low CFM of the fan. This means that it cannot be used in places where there are intense cleaning and drying activities. It also requires a lint trap as it does not come with one.
Pros
- Inbuilt temperature control
- Fits tiny spaces
- Eco friendly
- Quiet operations
Cons
- Plastic fan blades
- Requires a lint trap
- Weak airflow capacity
Conclusion
This guide is all about making our work easier in finding the best dryer duct fan. Anyone with a dryer, long dryer ducts of any shape needs a dryer duct booster fan. It makes work more comfortable and reduces the drying times by more than 50 percent.
Since we cannot all have the same needs and specifications, this guide has provided a wide array of dryer booster fans. There is something from everyone- budget-wise, size-wise, and function-wise. So, go ahead and select the best dryer booster fan for your needs.
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