[DangeloInspections]

If you look in the back of the unit you will most likely find that the 4" dryer vent is curled around and does not go out the back of the unit and straight up the solid metal vent. This makes the units stick out an additional few inches. most of the time this is just laziness on the part of the installers. If they took a bit more time and accordioned the pipe to have only one elbow pointing up towards the solid vent and secured, you would not have this problem.

I call this issue "dryer curl" and write it up during inspections almost daily. I am sure they will not return to make this right, but it does compromise the efficiency of the dryer. With every extra "elbow" or turn of the vent you lose airflow, or CFM's and this can cause more lint to get trapped down the road and longer drying times, thus costing you money in electrical costs. This is exacerbated by the fact that this vent also needs to go up a good distance and vent through the roof.

I suggest that the next time you have your dryer vent cleaned out you have that person take the time to install the vent pipe as I described. This will allow you to move the units back at least 3" or so, and make your dryer a bit more efficient.

Mind you, I inspect these issues everyday. I sometimes see these dryers installed correctly resulting in you having much more room and a more efficient dryer. I also see these installed they way yours is currently, resulting in the unit being at least 4-5 inches away from the wall and giving you much less room in your laundry area. In extreme cases, I have seen the garage entry door almost hit the dryer.

I for one would not stand for leaving this as is, but I'm kind of picky about such things...I have been told by others that Lowes and Home Depot installs these like this everyday, and will not take the time to do this correctly....in SOME cases this cannot be helped, like when you have pedestals, etc... ..hope this helps!

Frank D.