Thu, 12/10/2009 - 5:55am
Venting a clothes dryer through a window
My friends purchased a co-op w/an existing Maytag Neptune washer/dryer. The dryer is venting through a window. But now that they are undergoing a renovation, the co-op wants the dryer to be vented through the brickwork. There is nothing in the Alteration Agreement or Proprietary Lease that governs proper dryer ventilation. Can my friends claim that they should be grandfathered-in -- and allowed to continue to vent through the window? I've read the Dept of Bldg's Plumbing Codes "504.1", "504.6" and "504.6.1." (Are you still awake?) These all pertain to venting dryers through brickwork. (And no, they don't have a ductless electric dryer.) I can't find anything about the legality of venting through a window.
Thanks to all for any help or advice.
Although you may not agree with the board’s position, we believe they are within their right to provide reasonably direction in this matter. Some boards prefer a "through the wall" installation that is permanent. Perhaps, it will more cost effective to purchase an electric dryer (provided you have enough power) which can be ventless.
Does anyone know if there is a law or code on the books that states that you cannot vent an electric dryer through a window in NYC? In my friends' particular case, the dryer and its configuration are existing. They're not going to toss it and buy a ventless one. So if anyone in the field of architecture, law, etc. has some advice, I'd be grateful.
I do not believe there is law addressing this issue, but if the building is not going to approve the renovation plan until this "aesthetic" issue is addressed, why does that matter? In my building, the board does not approve the sale of a unit with a variance until the variance is removed (by variance, I mean an exception for the prior unit granted by a prior board that no longer complies with our house rules - for example, single pane window units can't be transferred until the seller or buyer agree to replace those windows with board approved windows). The board of a building has a lot of power to condition approvals on a tenant-shareholders' compliance with other board requirements, even if they are not legally mandated by a statute. Seems like there are two choices, change the venting to through brickwork (as is standard) or get a ventless dryer.
New city code does not allow venting of any device, be it a stove or dryer, at ALL, if the vent would be within a particular distance of another window. The way most city buildings are set up, this means that most renovators will not be allowed to vent even if they had vented before, and will be forced to use non-vented electric dryers.
We'll be covering the details of this in an upcoming Renovation Chronicles, but your friend is lucky if they let him keep his laundry equipment at all. Many boards are refusing to approve washers or dryers, even where they existed prior.
No matter what your friend's board says, he may run into problems with the DOB if his renovation is filed, or if an inspector spots work going on without a permit. He should check this issue out with his architect asap.
I do not really think you have had professional consultation,the people you have spoken with are not familiar with what you are seeking, orthey just do not care…
Hypothetically, if you were to go through the wall from theinterior to the exterior, you are damaging the envelope of the building; onemight ask what is a building envelope …
The building envelope iscomprised of the outer elements of a building—foundations, walls, roof,windows, doors, and floors. Theprime functions of the building envelope are to provide shelter, security,solar and thermal control, moisture control, indoor air quality control, accessto daylight, and views to outside, fire resistance, acoustics, costeffectiveness and aesthetics.
By going through the wall tovent your dryer, you really are reducing the effect of the buildingenvelope. This can result inunwanted situations to you and your neighbors. If I were your Resident Manager/ Superintendent, I would vigorouslyvet the board and the management against this. Moreover, if they still granted you the permission to goahead and do the work, then obviously the board and/or management does not careabout the building or its residents. Which would lead me to look for another job elsewhere.