New Pipe Support Tab Makes Dryerbox Installation a Breeze
(Jupiter, FL - September 7, 2006) Jupiter, FL - November 21, 2006. InOvate Technologies, the manufacturer of the Dryerbox, has introduced a new, patent pending feature for their popular vent hose receptacle. The Dryerbox will now include a duct support tab in the top port that assists in maintaining the ideal penetration length of 2 inches for Snaplock rigid conduit. The installer simply creates a “hook” by bending the innovative tab at the two scored locations. At that point, the installer sets in the length of Snaplock pipe and continues with the balance of the duct run with minimal worry that the duct is too far into the receptacle. After the duct run is complete and the pipe supported, the contractor simply breaks away the temporary support tab.
In the past, contractors may have allowed the rigid exhaust conduit to protrude further into the box than the instructions intended. In that case, the receptacle does not provide sufficient height or space to facilitate the proper recoiling and storage of the flex transition hose. Ideally, the rigid pipe should only protrude two inches into the Dryerbox. This provides adequate vertical height to collect the flex transition hose.
“Introduction of the pipe support tab has been well received by HVAC contractors across the country,” reports James Ortiz, Director of Distribution for InOvate Technologies. The new tab feature will start appearing on Model 425 Dryerboxes in the 4th quarter of 2006 through over 1,500 HVAC supply houses across the United States. According to company president, Rick Harpenau, the model 350 for 2x4 walls, will also feature the support tab but will be available after March of 2007.
The Dryerbox is a simple UL classified metal receptacle that collects the flex exhaust hose neatly and safely behind the dryer. Known for its record of making homes safer, more efficient and more spacious, the Dryerbox is already installed in over 1.4 million homes. Its popularity with builders is due, in part, to the fact it helps minimize service calls and it eliminates one elbow which effectively gains five feet of duct run under most building codes.
About InOvate Technologies, Inc.: Based in Jupiter, FL, InOvate Technologies designs, markets and manufactures innovative new products. The family of products invented include The Dryerbox®, The Downbox™, The Dryer-Ell™ and LintAlert™ boasting annual sales in excess of $5 million. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Inventor of Dryerbox® and Dryer-Ell™ Honored as one of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies
(Jupiter, FL - September 7, 2006) InOvate Technologies, the company that invented the Dryerbox®, made this year’s Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing private companies in America. InOvate exceeded 388% growth over the three-year period reviewed, ranking 359th overall and 16th in the construction related category.
InOvate Technologies is focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of dryer venting products. The Dryerbox®, a receptacle installed behind the dryer to facilitate the connection and collection of the flex exhaust hose was the company’s first entry into the market, and it remains the primary driver of growth.
Rick Harpenau, inventor, owner and president of the company, humbly attributed the growth to “good ideas that are helpful for new home construction” after learning about the tribute. Terry Smith, Vice President of Sales, offered a different perspective stating that, “I’ve seen Mr. Harpenau work extremely hard to educate the market about these good ideas and would have to say it was persistence and commitment that made the biggest contribution to the phenomenal growth.”
It is estimated that over 1.4 million homes have the Dryerbox® receptacle installed. Currently, one out of three new homes will have one installed by the heating and air conditioning subcontractor. The Dryerbox® retails fo about $21, is Classified by Underwriters Laboratories and has won over seven awards.
About InOvate Technologies, Inc.: Based in Jupiter, FL, InOvate Technologies designs, markets and manufactures innovative new products. The family of products invented include The Dryerbox®, The Downbox™, The Dryer-Ell™ and LintAlert™ boasting annual sales in excess of $5 million.
About Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 500: The 2006 Inc. 500 list measures revenue growth from 2002 through 2005. To qualify, companies had to be U.S. based, privately held, independent companies (not subsidiaries or divisions) as of December 31, 2005 and have at least $600,000 in net sales in the base year. This year’s list is the first to include businesses that started up immediately before or after September 11, 2001. Describing the significance of the list, Editor Jane Berenston said, “If you want to find out which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. Magazine’s tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition.” Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
The Dryer-Ell Takes Top Venting Design Award Honors
(Jupiter, FL -August 2006) InOvate Technologies’ new 90° long-turn dryer venting elbow was recognized for excellence in product design in the third annual Dealer Design Awards Program sponsored by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News magazine. An independent panel of 45 contractors acted as judges in the contest that had 112 entries from 75 manufacturers. The Dryer-Ell took top honors with a Gold Award for ventilation products.
In their decision, the panel of judges noted that this new dryer venting elbow is a “great idea” that will “really help contractors out in new construction dryer venting.” Its innovative design removes the 5-foot reduction consequence found in most building codes for standard 90° turns (based on American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers methodology for calculating friction loss). And, the 2006 IRC has adopted the advantage of its longer turn radius thus crediting the ventilation subcontractor five feet of duct run under section M1502.6. One Judge was heard to say, “I wish I would have thought of this.” The Dryer-Ell reclaims allowable duct length.
Winning entries in the Dealer Design Awards were featured in the July 17, 2006 issue of The ACHR News, which is distributed nationally to over 32, 000 HVACR contractors, wholesalers, and other industry professionals. The ACHR News Publisher John Conrad stated, “This product design competition gives us the opportunity to recognize outstanding innovations that make a dealer’s job easier and faster.
About the kind recognition, Rick Harpenau, President of InOvate Technologies and inventor of the Dryer-Ell reported, “I am honored that a leading HVAC trade magazine gathered a fine panel who saw how beneficial a product the Dryer-Ell can be. We appreciate the recognition and are pleased that even more people in the trades will be introduced to the Dryer-Ell as a result.”
The larger radius and smooth interior of the Dryer-Ell increases dryer efficiency, and— when replacing a restrictive 3” radius elbow to reclaim duct length—it can be used as an alternative to expensive booster fans. For total dryer venting systems, it nicely complements the Dryerbox® which is the first invention the company brought to market in 1994.
About InOvate Technologies, Inc.: Based in Jupiter, FL, InOvate Technologies designs, markets and manufactures innovative new products. The family of products invented include The Dryerbox®, The Downbox™, The Dryer-Ell™ and LintAlert™ boasting annual sales in excess of $5 million. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
InOvate Technologies, Inc. Sells 1,000,000th Dryerbox®
(Jupiter, FL -March 2006) InOvate Technologies, Inc. of Jupiter, FL announced the sale of the one millionth Dryerbox unit. Rick Harpenau, owner of InOvate orchestrated the pass through of product from manufacturer to tradesman at the Palm Beach ACCA show on March 7, 2006 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Harpenau invented the idea in 1993, while he was the owner of Marlin Construction in the SE Florida area. He had a local sheet metal shop fabricate a metal receptacle that he used to facilitate the connection and collection of the dryers exhaust flex hose in a spec home he was building.
Today it is known as the Dryerbox®, a UL Classified metal receptacle that allows the clothes dryer to be pushed back against the wall of a laundry room without the fear of kinking the exhaust hose.
By eliminating the bends in the flex exhaust hose, the dryer has a less restrictive airflow, which in turn minimizes lint buildup, saves energy costs and reduces the serious fire hazard caused by lint buildup.
"As builders, architects, inspectors, subcontractors and homeowners see the product for themselves; they are asking why this wasn't available sooner. It really is a common sense type of product," Harpenau said.
For additional information call (888) 443-7937 or visit www.dryerbox.com.
How many is 1,000,000 Dryerboxes?
Over 331 miles of Dryerboxes if laid end to end. A 6 hour trip from Miami to Jacksonville.
Or 112 stacks of cartons as high as the Empire State Building.
Or 1700 feet higher than Mount Everest if stacked in pallets.
Or weighing more than 6 fully loaded 747 jumbo jets or 18 steam locomotive engines.
About InOvate Technologies InOvate Technologies, Inc., located in Jupiter, FL, is a manufacturing company focused on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of dryer venting products. With four patents issued and others pending, the building industry has benefited from InOvate's commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
New Long-Turn Elbow for Dryer Venting
(Jupiter, FL -March 2006) UL Test Results on Long-Turn Ell versus standard Elbow. The manufacturer's of The Dryer-Ell, a re-engineered long-turn dryer exhaust conduit fitting, recently underwent some extensive laboratory testing by Underwriters Laboratories.
The testing was to determine the positive impact a long turn elbow would have on the efficiency of the dryer appliance. The test would measure the volumetric air flowrate through the commonly used 4-section adjustable 90 degree ell and the new long turn smooth ell. The standard 4" sectioned ell currently being used exhibits an approximate 3.5" radius, and according to most codes, provides a negative equivalent length of allowable duct run of five feet. The new Dryer-ell was engineered to provide a one-to-one ratio of equivalent length by providing two things: a smooth interior and a much larger radius. The 10" radius Dryer-ell measures 18" long at its centerline and according to the ASHRAE Fundamental Handbook methodology of calculating friction loss, saves the tradesman approximately 4.5 lineal feet of duct run.
In order to achieve acceptability in the industry, Rick Harpenau, owner of InOvate Technologies, contracted with UL to perform a series of test with the intentions of proving just how efficient the new ell was. The Fact-Finding Report from UL provided some surprising and interesting results.
The testing showed the impact of a standard 4 section 3.5 inch radius ell was more severe than the building code currently indicates. Placing a standard 4 section 3.5 inch radius ell in the exhaust conduit results in an equivalent pipe length of 15 feet, not the 5 feet the code indicates. When a smooth interior 10" radius elbow was installed in the test layout, the equivalent pipe length of the elbow was only 2 1/2 feet. The smooth radius ell was 6 times more efficient than the 4 section 3.5" radius elbow in flow movement through the fitting.
A few changes may occur from these test results, but the most likely one is that a Code Change Proposal will be reviewed by the International Code Council in September dealing with the long awaited increase of total length of dryer conduit from 25 feet to 45 feet. For years the industry has lobbied that the new dryers produced had a minimum exhaust duct length capacity of 45 feet or more.
With the knowledge of the overly restrictive sectioned ells, the council may agree to the 45 feet maximum length and adjust the deductions to 15 feet for the sectioned 90 degree ell and 2.5 feet for the new long turn ell. 45 degree ells will be respectively half of the new numbers.
For the tradesmen and the general contractors, this is a huge benefit, as the old 25 foot length was very restrictive and limited their options for proper or aesthetic terminations. If they use the old sectioned ells, they will be at or about the same results as they are prior to the change, but throw in the new equivalent length for the long turn Dryer-ell, and you have a very attractive alternative.
In the past, builders would account for the longer distances required by adding a dryer booster fan. Besides being expensive, they become a huge bottleneck in the conduit when they malfunction of stop running. They are generally located in crawlspaces and attics with minimal access. Likewise many municipalities are disallowing their use.
The new long-turn Dryer-ell from InOvate appears to be a breakthrough product for an industry struggling for a solution. We found them online at www.dryer-ell.com for less than $15.
About InOvate Technologies InOvate Technologies, Inc., located in Jupiter, FL, is a manufacturing company focused on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of dryer venting products. With four patents issued and others pending, the building industry has benefited from InOvate's commitment to innovation and persistence. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
New OEM Differential Sensor Detects Dryer Clogging
Lint-Alert – U.S. Patent 6,785,981 Sku: DLS121
(Jupiter, FL - March 2006) InOvate Technologies, Inc., a manufacturing company specializing in dryer venting products, recently unveiled the Lint-Alert, an electromechanical pressure switch to be installed in the dryer appliance. Collaborating with World Magnetics of Michigan, the DesignFlex pressure switch mates with InOvate’s specially designed pitot tube receptor that slides and snaps into place in the dryer’s exhaust conduit.
Measuring the pressure differential within the clothes dryer exhaust conduit and atmosphere, the device will detect and notify the appliance user of any blockage. The U.L. approved switch would be an OEM component installed in the exhaust conduit of the dryer near its exit. The switch exhibits a contamination-free pitot tube pickup and a creative design that allows for a slide-n-snap insertion. At approximately .91 water column inch (wci), the switch would trigger an audible or visual alert on the control panel that maintenance or attention should be directed to the exhaust conduit of the dryer.
Potential maintenance issues include the buildup of lint due to the condensation and moist air in the pipe, the potential of the flex being crushed or kinked creating a “bottleneck” situation, bird or rodent nests near the exhaust termination cutting off air flow, screens within the termination hoods allowing lint to accumulate over time and inoperative dampers.
“This brand new and recently patented pressure differential switch is a common sense innovative safety device that has huge potential in saving lives and property,” said Rick Harpenau, the inventor.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15,500 clothes dryer fires occur in U.S. homes annually, averaging about 10 deaths and 300 injuries and $85 million in direct property damage. In 30 percent of the cases, lack of maintenance was the leading cause of these fires.
“The dryer is a common and frequent ignition source in household fires. Property damage, injuries, fatalities, insurance costs could all be reduced with this simple inexpensive product,” Harpenau said.
The new module has recently been introduced to all the major appliance manufacturers and is available now.
About InOvate Technologies: InOvate Technologies, Inc., located in Jupiter, FL, is a manufacturing company focused on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of dryer venting products. With four patents issued and others pending, the building industry has benefited from InOvate’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service.
About DesignFlex: DesignFlex, a World Magnetics Brand, located in Traverse MI, is a manufacturer of pressure switches and vacuum switches for demanding OEM applications, ranging from sip and puff communication systems for the handicapped to arc fault detection aboard the Trident submarine. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Popular Dryerbox® Aids in Mold Prevention
(Jupiter, FL -March 2006) Take a look behind your dryer. Chances are the back of it is about five or six inches away from the wall and the vent hose resembles a snake. The Dryerbox® from InOvate Technologies is a simple metal receptacle that installs in the wall behind the dryer in new construction that facilitates the connection and collection of the flex transition hose.
Not only does The Dryerbox® make the appliance run more efficiently, make the laundry room appear larger, and reduce the fire hazard caused by inadequate ventilation, but now has recently been noted to reduce a potential mold source found in the wall directly behind the dryer.
Rick Harpenau, owner and inventor, says that in many typical installations, the sectioned elbow installed in the wall directly behind the dryer commonly gets kicked and nudged by the balance of the tradesmen that complete the home. The elbows’ sections will experience enough deformation that they can possibly fall apart or allow the moist exhaust air to escape into the dark cell of the wall.
“Being in the business for ten years, I’ve come across numerous dryer hazards. The dryer is a common and frequent ignition source in household fires, and lint is a component of a Boy Scouts fire-starter packet,” says Harpenau. With mold prevention high on builders and homeowners lists of precautions, it’s wise to point out this newly discovered mold potential. The Dryerbox® eliminates that typical elbow and prevents the homeowner from squishing or kinking the flex hose.
To-date, over 950,000 units has been installed in homes across the country. The popularity of using a receptacle to house and collect the flex dryer hose in the cell of the wall has grown remarkably over the past several years. The UL Classified metal Dryerbox® receptacle allows the clothes dryer to be pushed back against the wall of a laundry room without the fear of kinking the exhaust hose. “As builders, architects, inspectors, subcontractors and homeowners see the product for themselves; they are asking why this wasn’t available sooner. It really is a common sense type of product,” Harpenau said. For more information on The Dryerbox®, please visit www.dryerbox.com Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Popular Dryerbox Gets One Hour UL Listing
(Jupiter, FL - February 2005) InOvate Technologies, Inc. adds some serious marketability to its already popular solution to dryer venting by obtaining a one-hour F rating from United Laboratories, Inc. UL is the trusted source across the globe for product compliance. Their Standards for Safety are essential to helping insure public safety and confidence, reduce costs, improve quality and market products and services.
All four models of the Dryerbox have been tested and approved to be installed in wood or metal frame construction of 2x4 or 2x6 sizes. “This is a huge advantage for us and for our customers who locate the dryer against a one-hour rated wall, which is typically found in multi-family homes or at the wall between the garage and living area,” said Rick Harpenau, the inventor of the Dryerbox.
This simple product saves space in the laundry room, allows the dryer to operate more efficiently and reduces a common household fire hazard. To-date, over 750,000 units have been installed in homes across the country. The popularity of using a receptacle to house and collect the flex dryer hose in the cell of the wall has grown remarkably over the past several years. The Dryerbox allows the clothes dryer to be pushed back against the wall of a laundry room without the fear of kinking the exhaust hose. “As builders, architects, inspectors, subcontractors and homeowners see the product for themselves; they are asking why this wasn’t available sooner. It really is a common sense type of product,” Harpenau said.
- View UL Firestop Devices (XHJI.R21933 Report)
- View UL Through-penetration Firestop Systems (XHEZ.W-L-7129 Report)
- View Complete UL Test Report
Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Dryerbox Introduces Innovative Elbow
(Jupiter, FL - February 2005) InOvate Technologies, Inc. makers of the enormously popular and practical Dryerbox have come up with another promising new product: The Dryer-Ell. A re-engineered dryer exhaust fitting that exhibits a larger radius and a smooth interior, providing a net gain of approximately 4.5 feet in allowable duct length when used as a replacement to the standard 4” ell used in the dryer venting trade. Based on accepted ASHRAE methodology for calculating friction loss in ducts and fittings, this new fitting will provide key benefits to the builder and tradesmen by removing the 5 foot reduction consequence found in all building codes.
“This savings in duct run length is significant”, says Rick Harpenau, inventor and owner of InOvate Technologies Inc. “The building code is very restrictive in allowable length of exhaust duct for dryer venting. Each typical 90 degree elbow has been calculated to penalize the contractor five lineal feet of duct run allowance. Our new Dryer-ell removes the 5 foot penalty and in a home with two nineties, that’s a net gain of ten feet. That is very valuable to contractors and adds efficiency to the laundry appliance”. The new product is being debuted at the AHR Expo, but you can take a sneak peek now by going to dryer-ell.com Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
New Version of The Popular Dryerbox
(Jupiter, FL - November 2004) InOvate Technologies introduced a new version of their popular Dryerbox™ vent receptacle facilitating a downward exhaust direction. For houses built on stem wall or for second floor laundry rooms, this new Down-Box receptacle provides all the same benefits of their original model. The simple, yet innovative, product saves space in the laundry room, allows the clothes dryer to operate more efficiently and reduces a common household fire hazard.
To date, over 750,000 of their original units are installed in homes across the country. The popularity of using a receptacle to house and collect the flex dryer hose in the cell of the wall has grown remarkably over the past several years. The Dryerbox™ allows the clothes dryer to be pushed back against the wall of a laundry room, providing an additional square foot of work space and it allows the dryer to be positioned without fear of kinking the exhaust hose.
“As builders, architects, inspectors, subcontractors and homeowners see the product for themselves, they are asking why this wasn’t available sooner. It really is a common sense type of product.” Product is available from over 2000 HVAC supply houses. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
The Dryer Safety Tips
(Jupiter, FL - November 2004) It’s time to air some of your home’s dirty laundry. Even the best-kept house may have a dirty little secret. Lint. It’s more than a matter of cleanliness, but actually a serious fire hazard that may be lurking right under your roof. The lint build-up from your dryer may actually be putting you, your family and your home at serious risk.
Odds are that behind your dryer lives a snake-like coil of ventilation tubing. What most people don’t give much thought to is that the bends and crimps in this ductwork creates a trap for all the lint that makes its way past your dryer’s internal lint screen.
This lint accumulation reduces air flow from the dryer, causing overheating of the exhaust system. Consider the fact that this lint is highly combustible and you can see that these conditions are ripe for fire.
While the first victim of this lint accumulation problem may be your dryer (which may be become burnt out from the strain and eventually fail), the more serious issue is that the accumulation of lint will cause a smoldering fire in the exhaust line before homeowners have even become aware of the hazard. More than $65 million in property damages and 10 deaths each year can be linked to dryer fires. This is a serious (and avoidable) risk that consumers need to address. Through simple preventative maintenance and an inexpensive new product now on the market, homeowners can make their homes significantly safer for their families. Bends in dryer ducts pose hidden fire danger.
HIDDEN DANGER
Clothes dryer is a leading cause of house fires, did you know?
- According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), clothes dryers are the number three cause of house fires after stoves and heaters.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that lint accumulated in dryer ventilation systems cause 15,500 fires annually.
- The National Association of State Fire Marshals reports that lint is highly combustible. It accumulates easily and ignites quickly, causing fires that can spread from the dryer to your home in seconds.
- The NFPA also reports that four out of seven home fires occur between December and February.
DRYER SAFETY TIPS
- Check for lint clogs in the exhaust tubing and vacuum behind your dryer regularly.
- Don’t allow lint to pile up on the lint screen — clean after every load.
- If you realize your dryer is taking longer to dry your clothes or if the exterior feels very hot, it could be a sign that it is working too hard because of significant lint build-up.
- Avoid running your dryer when you are sleeping or are away from home in case a fire should start.
- Consider installing a Dryerbox recessed vent box to eliminate lint-collecting bends in the exhaust tubing behind your dryer .
The Dryerbox presents a simple, inexpensive solution. By reducing the accumulation of combustible lint is key to avoiding dryer fire hazards. One solution is a new building product called The Dryerbox, developed by InOvate Technologies Inc. This recessed dryer vent box houses and collects the flex duct-work inside the wall, eliminating the restrictive bends typically found in the snake of ductwork behind the dryer. Increased efficiency is achieved by removing this “bottleneck.” As an added benefit, the dryer can be pushed back against the wall, allowing for a more attractive appearance, more usable work space in the laundry area and a more energy-efficient and faster dryer appliance. Retail prices start at just $19 for new home construction and $21 for retrofits in existing homes, plus the cost of professional installation, if needed. Contact Information:
250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Shop Talk: The Dryerbox
Why did you come up with this invention?
As a General Contractor for 13 years, building custom homes and developing residential communities, I've always been around and cherished construction, engineering and inventing. Growing up with 7 other brother and sisters, I would jump on the opportunity to take things apart and rebuild them or manage to fix anything that was broken in the house.
How did you come up with this particular idea?
I remembered the day I scribbled a rough napkin drawing of what is now called The Dryerbox. It was an idea that would eventually take care of the annoying, space consuming and hazardous situation that exists behind almost everyone's washer and dryer.
What is The Dryerbox?
The Dryerbox is a simple metal receptacle that installs between the studs in new construction behind the dryer and facilitates the collection and housing of the flex exhaust hose.
What are the benefits of using this product?
One of the obvious benefits is the ability to locate the dryer appliance right up against the wall without the potential of squishing or kinking the hose. Moving both appliances back provides close to two additional square feet of living area. Without the likely restrictions in the flex transition hose, clothes dry quicker saving $6/yr in energy costs and tumble less providing less wear to the garments.
Who benefits from this innovative product?
Well, the homeowner benefits from the increased efficiency and by the products ability to lessen the fire hazard caused by the “kinked” flex hose. The laundry room feels bigger and socks can’t fall behind the dryer as easily. The builder benefits as well by using our product as an “elbow eliminator” and a gas connection receptacle. It also qualifies for a clean-out that is now a code requirement for clothes dryer venting. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Money and Space Saving Tool Eliminates Mess Behind Clothes Dryer
(Jupiter, FL - October 2004) Have a washer and dryer at home? Good chance the dryer is five or six inches away from the back wall and the flex exhaust hose resembles a snake. “Tight bends in the flex exhaust hose accelerate lint accumulation and can really impair the efficiency of the dryer and—worse yet—create a fire hazard,” says Rick Harpenau, owner of InOvate Technologies Inc. and inventor of The Dryerbox.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in 1998, clothes dryers were associated with 15,600 fires, which resulted in 20 deaths and 370 injuries. Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
The Dryerbox is a simple metal receptacle about the size of a kitty-litter pan, which installs between the studs in new construction behind the dryer and facilitates the collection and housing of the flex exhaust hose. It provides a net gain of one square foot of living area and close to $6 per year in electricity or fuel savings. It also allows the dryer to be positioned without fear of kinking the exhaust hose. The Dryerbox allows the storage and recoiling of the flex transition hose between the dryer and the wall connection to take place inside the wall cavity, eliminating the zig-zag of ductwork most households have tolerated for decades. Model versions include depths for 2"x4" or 2"x6" walls and for an upward direction of exhaust flow and a downward.
“It might take five or ten years, but we believe that almost every new home will eventually be built with a receptacle behind the dryer that facilitates the collection and connection of the flex transition hose,” said Rick Harpenau, President of InOvate Technologies Inc. “As builders, architects, inspectors, subcontractors and homeowners see the product for themselves; they are asking why this wasn’t available sooner. It really is a common sense type of product.” Today, there are over 500,000 installed in new homes across the country. Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
The Product Fact Sheet
PRODUCT: The Dryerbox, the original recessed dryer vent box, which saves space, conserves energy and reduces the common fire hazard
DESCRIPTION: The Dryerbox was invented and patented in the United States and was introduced to the market in 1995. The Dryerbox is a simple metal receptacle that installs in the wall behind the dryer to house and collect the flex duct hose, which connects to the wall exhaust pipe. The Dryerbox eliminates kinks or bends in the transition hose and allows the dryer to be pushed closer to the wall, thereby allowing for more usable space in the laundry room and minimizing the fire danger. The Dryerbox is made of heavy, 22-gauge, aluminized, steel-molded construction and installs between the studs before the drywall in new construction. A Retro-Fit model is also available for existing homes.
BENEFITS: Benefits to the homeowner include:
- Adding a net gain of one square foot of living space in the laundry or utility room (providing more work space, better traffic flow, etc.)
- Allowing the dryer to be moved back against the wall, providing a neater, more attractive appearance for homeowners
- Decreasing the fire hazard associated with dryers by eliminating the likely accumulation of lint in the exhaust hose
- Eliminates space behind the dryer so that dust and lint don’t collect and socks and other items don’t get trapped
- Increases the efficiency of the dryer so that clothes dry faster with less tumbling
- Saves approximately $6 per year in energy costs
Benefits to the builder, architect and subcontractor include:
- Removing the need for a 90-degree bend penetrating the drywall, thereby giving the HVAC contractor five additional linear feet of duct run allowance and eliminating likely punch-out work
- Providing builders with a competitive advantage by offering their customers a more streamlined, attractive laundry room that actually appears larger
- Virtually eliminating dryer-related service callbacks
- Requiring no additional framing, facilitating a quick and simple installation
MODELS: The Dryerbox is available in three sizes. Model 425 - 21" h x 12 1/2" w x 5 1/8" deep Model 350 - 21" h x 12 1/2" w x 4 3/8" deep Model 4D - 19" h x 16 3/4" w x 5 1/8" deep Model 3D - 19" h x 16 3/4" w x 4 3/8" deep Retrofit Model - 21" h x 11 1/2" w x 4" deep
PRICING: For quantity pricing breakdown or pricing update information, please call us at (888) 443-7937.
DISTRIBUTION: The Dryerbox are available throughout the country from supply houses, lumber yards and hardware centers, as well as online at dryerbox.com or by calling (888) 443-7937.
CORPORATE FACT SHEET:
Product: The Dryerbox, the original recessed dryer vent box
Company: InOvate Technologies Inc.
Headquarters: 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207
Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone: (561) 743-8696 / (888) 443-7937
Fax: (561) 745-9723 / (800) 308-9345
Website: www.dryerbox.com
Inventor: Rick Harpenau, Owner/President
Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
Design Enhancement To The Dryerbox
Innovative tweak to The Dryerbox facilitates the gas connection for residential clothes dryers
(Jupiter, FL - November 2003) InOvate Technologies Inc., who developed The Dryerbox for new home construction, has very recently incorporated a “gas port” to the already popular receptacle that installs in the wall behind the dryer. This simple, yet innovative, product saves space in the laundry room, allows the clothes dryer to operate more efficiently and reduces a common household fire hazard. To-date, over 500,000 units are installed in homes across the country.
The gas port, according to Rick Harpenau, President, has been sought after by tradesman from the initial introduction of the recessed dryer vent receptacle back in 1998. According to the Appliance Manufacturing industry, 1/5 of the dryer appliances are gas and require a gas valve and tubing to be installed behind the dryer. The Dryerbox includes enough additional room to facilitate the necessary valve and connection.
A common “knock out” type covering will make it easy for the gas tradesman to insert the 1/2” galvanized pipe into the receptacle. Production of the new Dryerbox started in June and have worked their way into the market successfully.
The Dryerbox allows the storage and recoiling of the flex transition hose between the dryer and the wall connection to take place inside the wall cavity, eliminating the zig-zag of ductwork most households have tolerated for decades.
Similar in function to the plastic receptacle now commonly found behind washing machines to house the plumbing connections, The Dryerbox allows the clothes dryer to be pushed back against the wall of a laundry room, providing an additional square foot of work space and it allows the dryer to be positioned without fear of kinking the exhaust hose.
“It might take five or ten years, but we believe that almost every new home will eventually be built with a Dryerbox behind the dryer,” said Rick Harpenau, President of InOvate Technologies Inc. “As builders, architects, inspectors, subcontractors and homeowners see the product for themselves; they are asking why this wasn’t available sooner. It really is a common sense type of product.”
For the air-distribution supplier, it’s not a matter of if you’ll carry The Dryerbox, it’s when!
Contact Information:
InOvate Technologies, Inc. 250 S. Central Blvd. Suite 207 • Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 743-8696 • Fax: (561) 745-9723
InOvate Technologies, Inc, makers of the popular Dryerbox®, announced the addition of a large radius 45 degree elbow to their lineup of Dryer-Ell venting products. Similar to the Dryer-Ell 90, this new elbow will allow contractors to gain additional length of run with no resulting building code penalty.
InOvate Technologies, the manufacturer of the Dryerbox and the Dryer-ell, have recently been notified that both products have been “GreenSpec” listed and designated a “Green Product” with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building credits.
InOvate Technologies, the manufacturer of the Dryerbox, has introduced a new, patent pending feature for their popular vent hose receptacle. The Dryerbox will now include a duct support tab in the top port that assists in maintaining the ideal penetration length of 2 inches for Snaplock rigid conduit.
InOvate Technologies, the company that invented the Dryerbox®, made this year’s Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing private companies in America. InOvate exceeded 388% growth over the three-year period reviewed, ranking 359th overall and 16th in the construction related category.
InOvate Technologies’ new 90° long-turn dryer venting elbow was recognized for excellence in product design in the third annual Dealer Design Awards Program sponsored by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News magazine.
InOvate Technologies, Inc. of Jupiter, FL announced the sale of the one millionth Dryerbox unit.
The manufacturers of The Dryer-Ell, a re-engineered long-turn dryer exhaust conduit fitting, recently underwent some extensive laboratory testing by Underwriters Laboratories.
InOvate Technologies, Inc., a manufacturing company specializing in dryer venting products, recently unveiled the Lint-Alert, an electromechanical pressure switch to be installed in the dryer appliance.
Take a look behind your dryer. Chances are the back of it is about five or six inches away from the wall and the vent hose resembles a snake.
InOvate Technologies, Inc. adds some serious marketability to its already popular solution to dryer venting by obtaining a one-hour F rating from United Laboratories, Inc. UL is the trusted source across the globe for product compliance.
InOvate Technologies, Inc. makers of the enormously popular and practical Dryerbox have come up with another promising new product: The Dryer-Ell. A re-engineered dryer exhaust fitting that exhibits a larger radius and a smooth interior, providing a net gain of approximately 4.8 feet in allowable duct length when used as a replacement to the standard 4” ell used in the dryer venting trade.
InOvate Technologies introduced a new version of their popular Dryerbox vent receptacle facilitating a downward exhaust direction. For houses built on stem wall or for second floor laundry rooms, this new Down-Box receptacle provides all the same benefits of their original model.
It’s time to air some of your home’s dirty laundry. Even the best-kept house may have a dirty little secret. Lint. It’s more than a matter of cleanliness, but actually a serious fire hazard that may be lurking right under your roof.
Why did you come up with this invention? As a General Contractor for 13 years, building custom homes and developing residential communities, I've always been around and cherished construction, engineering and inventing.
Have a washer and dryer at home? Good chance the dryer is five or six inches away from the back wall and the flex exhaust hose resembles a snake. “Tight bends in the flex exhaust hose accelerate lint accumulation and can really impair the efficiency of the dryer and—worse yet—create a fire hazard,” says Rick Harpenau, owner of InOvate Technologies Inc. and inventor of The Dryerbox.
The Dryerbox was invented and patented in the United States and was introduced to the market in 1995. The Dryerbox is a simple metal receptacle that installs in the wall behind the dryer to house and collect the flex duct hose, which connects to the wall exhaust pipe.
InOvate Technologies Inc., who developed The Dryerbox for new home construction, has very recently incorporated a "gas port” to the already popular receptacle that installs in the wall behind the dryer. This simple, yet innovative, product saves space in the laundry room, allows the clothes dryer to operate more efficiently and reduces a common household fire hazard. To-date, over 500,000 units are installed in homes across the country.
InOvate Technologies has launched The Dryerbox, a recessed dryer vent box, to the U.S. market. This simple yet innovative product saves space in the laundry room, allows the clothes dryer to operate more efficiently and reduces a common household fire hazard.
Important News Articles and Studies
Dryer Fire Potential (U.S. Fire Administration / Department of Homeland Security - January 2007)Fire Research Series: Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings. Clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries annually.
Dryer Fire Potential (Building Safety Journal - December 2006)
When a dryer vent is installed within a wall cavity, the use of a vent receptacle prevents the flexible transition hose from being crushed, thus reducing the possibility of a blockage that could cause a fire.
Fire Prevention For Your Clothes Dryer (WCCO TV, Minnesota - March 2007)
Fires in clothes dryers kill or injure hundreds of people every year. "The volatility of dryer lint is incredible." Tips to Prevent Fires.
Dryer vents always worth revisiting (Red Deer Advocate - December 2005)
A dryer box is an inexpensive metal accessory that creates back-of-dryer space for the vent pipe. It improves dryer performance by ensuring that the duct work remains uncrumpled.
Dryer venting a serious necessity (Inman News - November 2005)
Most people know there's a pipe on the back of their clothes dryer, and that it needs to be connected to the vent pipe that's coming through the wall or floor in their utility rooms.
The Dryerbox (Building Edge Magazine - July 2005)
Take a look behind your dryer. Chances are the back of it is about five or six inches away from the wall and the vent hose resembles a snake.
Time to give "dry" subject some respect (Toronto Star - February 2005)
Clothes dryer vents have got to be one of the last things that builders consider when they're putting a house together, and it shows. Take a look behind just about any dryer and you'll see what I mean.
Dryers need proper air circulation to work right (The Globe Gazette - February 2005)
Dear Jim: Our dryer runs longer than it used to and the utility room seems chilly. The dryer is pushed back in a corner with a bend in the duct. What can I do, and should I install a vent cover or vent it indoors? — Hank W.
Remodeler's Choice Top 100 (Qualified Remodeler - August 2004)
10. The Dryerbox. InOvate Technologies Incorporated a “gas port” to its Dryerbox, a receptacle that installs in the wall behind the dryer.
The Energy Adviser (The Columbian - February 2004)
The "At Home" section of the Sunday Columbian features a column by our "Energy Adviser" QUESTION: Dear Energy Adviser: I read your column on venting clothes dryers last fall.
Building Products Top 100 (Building Products - January/February 2004)
100 products and materials readers wanted to know more about. 9. InOvate Technologies. The 22-gauge aluminized steel Dryerbox is a recessed dryer vent box that saves space in the laundry room because it allows the dryer to be pushed against the wall.
Stretch your laundry room with space-saving device (Chicago Tribune - December 2001)
Brother Morris' wife, Carol, recently noticed a magazine ad for a stamp-formed metal device that looked a lot like a dishpan with a large round hole in one end.
Smooth Transition (Popular Mechanics - September 2003)
The Dryerbox is a better way to connect a dryer. The Dryerbox is a small idea, but a good one. Very good, in fact. It's made of 22-gauge aluminized steel, drawn deep into a pan shape.
2003 Building Products Home Runs (Building Products - July/August 2003)
Building Products' second annual Most Valuable Product (MVP) Awards. InOvate Technologies. One judge was so impressed by The Dryerbox that he commented: "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of it?
Take the Kink Out of your Hose (Smart Home Owner - March/April 2003)
Take a look behind your dryer. Chances are the back of it is about five or six inches away from the wall and the vent hose resembles a snake.
Building Pros Pick Their Top 100 Products (Building Products - May 2002)
Things that make life a bit easier, more profitable and better. 35. The Dryerbox. This box insets behind the clothes dryer between wall studs to accommodate a flexible exhaust hose.
Jupiter man’s invention hits some Home Depots (The Palm Beach Post - December 2001)
Dryer Fire Wipes Out Family Belongings (Sea & Shore - Fall 2001)
A wife (my former neighbor) started a clothes dryer in the laundry room, which was located between the garage and kitchen. She then left the house to run errands.
100 Remodeler’s Choice "Hot Products 2001" (Qualified Remodeler - November 2001)
4. The Dryerbox. From InOvate Technologies is a metal receptacle that installs within the wall and facilitates the collection and housing of the flex hose.
Clothes-dryer hookup (Fine Home Building - November 2000)
Every so often, as I wade through the piles of new-product releases that cross my desk, some simple, forehead-slapper of an idea stands out.
A Fresh Angle on Clothes Dryer Vents (Energy Design Update - September 2000)
Recognizing that there can be serious efficiency and safety problems with conventional clothes dryer vents, Rick Harpenau, president of InOvate Technologies (Jupiter, FL), has brought a solution to market.