Why & How to Become a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®
You might not think it, but there’s a lot of money to be made in dryer vent cleaning, repair, and rerouting. Many homeowners now realize how dangerous and inefficient a clogged, damaged, or poorly routed dryer vent can be. And with greater awareness comes greater demand for certified and experienced dryer exhaust technicians.
Now, because of consumer awareness and high demand, many techs are making a mint on lint. Some companies focus solely on dryer vents, while others offer dryer vent cleaning as an add-on service. No matter the business model, offering dryer vent services can add a lot of money to your bottom line.
But how do you get started, and how do you know if it’s right for you?
Let’s dive in and answer some of the questions you may have as you consider going down this career path…
Is Being a Dryer Exhaust Technician a Good Job?
Dryer exhaust techs are in high demand, and typically make good money. Even if you’re not starting your own dryer vent cleaning, repair, and reroute business, you can bring in around $33,000-$43,000 a year just as a tech.*
You’ll spend your days meeting homeowners in your community and cleaning, repairing, troubleshooting, installing, and rerouting dryer vents. Each day will bring new faces, new problems to solve, and new opportunities to help clients enjoy safer, more efficient homes.
So, if you want to have an income that’s above the national average and a career that benefits your community, dryer exhaust technician is a great choice.
*Typical range according to Salary.com
What Are Some Things That Dryer Exhaust Technicians Do? What Problems Do They Solve?
Some dryer exhaust technicians focus solely on dryer vent cleanings, while others offer other additional services. When you become a CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET)®, you’ll have the training and know-how to offer all of the following services to your community:
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Dryer vent repair
- Dryer vent reroute & installation
The way your clients see it, you’ll be boosting dryer efficiency, speeding up dry times, saving them money on energy bills, prolonging the service life of their clothes dryer, and reducing fire and carbon monoxide risks.
What Do You Need to Start Your Own Dryer Vent Cleaning Business?
You’ll first need to decide if you’re going to launch your own business or if you want to buy into a franchise. Starting your own business will typically require less money up-front, but when you buy into a franchise, you get a business model (that you know works) to follow, as well as other types of support. With a franchise, there’s also less work in terms of building the brand and brand awareness.
If you start your own business, you’ll need to handle all the legal stuff up front – choosing a business name, getting your business license, setting up your tax ID, deciding on a logo, and all that good stuff.
As far as equipment goes, you can expect to spend between $1200 and $1500 to get the tools you need for the job – things like a dryer vent brush kit, a HEPA vacuum with a long hose attachment, etc.
Whether you start your own dryer vent business, buy into a franchise, or decide to work as a tech for an established local business, you can make a good living working on dryer vents. And as an added benefit, you’ll enjoy the gratification that only comes with a career that helps your community and makes life better for those around you.
Do Dryer Exhaust Technicians Have to Be Licensed?
Unfortunately, dryer exhaust technicians aren’t required to be licensed, but having your CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET)® credential can give you a massive advantage in a competitive market.
Most homeowners have been burned enough times by fly-by-night companies to want and demand more from the people they invite into their homes. The C-DET® credential is the only certification specifically for those who service dryer vents, and it’s recognized in all 50 states.
How Do I Get Certified? Can You Get Your Dyer Vent Cleaning Certification Online?
To earn your C-DET® certification, you’ll need to pass a certification exam and prove your knowledge and understanding of the C-DET® manual. That said, we know not everyone can attend in-person training, which is why we offer a few different options for earning your certification:
- Attend the two-day C-DET® workshop and take your exam at the conclusion of the workshop
- Purchase and study the C-DET® manual on your own and take the online review and exam
- Purchase and study the C-DET® manual on your own and attend the one-day in-person C-DET® review and exam
You’ll find more information on each option, plus a whole lot more on earning your C-DET® credential right here.
Why Get Certified?
Why get certified? Well, certification will give you the education, training, and confidence you need to hit the ground running.
Plus, when you earn your CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® credential, you get a listing here on our website – which means that when homeowners search for C-DETs in your area, you’ll show up as someone they can trust.
Interested homeowners will be able to see your business information, so they can reach out and get an appointment booked. They can even choose to share their contact info with you (through text or email), so you can reach out and close the sale.
So, to recap, when you get your C-DET® certification, you get:
- The education and training you need to confidently start offering dryer vent cleaning, installation, rerouting, repair, and troubleshooting services to your community.
- A listing on the CSIA website, so your business gets in front of interested homeowners and professionals looking for C-DETs® when and where they’re searching.
- A credential that’s nationally recognized
- Instant authority and trust with homeowners – plus, instant authority and trust with realtors, home inspectors, and other professionals who are always looking for reliable professionals they can recommend.
Have Questions Along the Way? We’re Here to Help
If you’re ready to step foot into the lucrative world of dryer vents, start out by getting certified with the CSIA. You’ll find everything you need to get started right here on our website. And as always, if you have any questions, we’re here to help. Just call 317-837-5362 or reach out at office@csia.org.
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