This depends on the type of laundry you are drying and how often you use your dryer. In a typical household with a few loads per week, we recommend cleaning the filters every 6–10 dryer loads (about once a week). You can extend the life of your filter by vacuuming the green side multiple times before replacing it. If the Safety Exhaust Flap opens, you've waited too long — that's your signal to clean or replace the filter.

Anyone who cannot vent their electric dryer to the outside. This includes homeowners with dryer exhaust lines that exceed manufacturer recommendations, those who want to save energy by using warm dryer air to help heat their home, and anyone currently using a water trap model who wants a cleaner, more efficient alternative.

Install the BetterVent on a wall as close to your dryer as possible, at about eye level for easy access and cleaning. The shorter the exhaust hose, the more efficiently your dryer will operate. It must be installed in an upright, vertical position with the standard 4" exhaust hose coming out the bottom. Make sure the laundry area has adequate ventilation — a small fan or open window can help manage moisture.

Gas dryers must ONLY be vented to the outdoors because their exhaust contains carbon monoxide fumes that are dangerous indoors. Never attempt to vent a gas dryer anywhere but outside the home. BetterVent is designed exclusively for use with electric dryers.

You can expect the dryer to discharge a moderate amount of warm, moist air into the room for about half the dryer cycle — by the end of the cycle, there is no more humidity. Unlike water trap models, BetterVent does not use water, so it adds less humidity than those alternatives. We recommend ventilating the room with a small fan, open window, or ceiling vent fan if you experience any condensation. Adding an extra spin cycle to very wet clothes before drying can also help reduce moisture.