Maybe you’ve just had a new gas dryer delivered to your front door or you’re moving into a new home and you’ve brought your old dryer with you. Do you have to rely on a professional technician for the gas dryer hookup? Not necessarily. If you’re a relatively confident do-it-yourselfer, successfully installing a gas dryer may not be as daunting as it seems, and will only require you to recognize a few specific dryer parts. Of course, not all gas dryers are built the same nor do they all share the same installation requirements, so following the owner’s manual, or the specific installation instructions, that came with the dryer is always the most recommended approach. But if those instructions have been misplaced or discarded over time, Repair Clinic has some general guidelines and tips so you can learn how to hook up a gas dryer on your own.
What you need for your gas dryer installation
Before you learn how to install a gas dryer, there are some things you’ll need to consider.
Know your electrical, gas, and water requirements
- A grounded electrical outlet will need to be located within two feet of either side of the dryer. The outlet should provide 120 volts of alternating current at 60 hertz, and a dedicated circuit is recommended to avoid tripping the circuit or blowing a fuse if another appliance, such as the washer, is being used at the same time as the dryer.
- A gas supply line will need to be installed close to where the rear of the dryer will be located. A flexible stainless steel gas connector is recommended to connect the gas supply line and valve to the dryer.
- If your gas dryer has a steam function, you will need two new water inlet hoses, one approximately two feet long and another approximately five feet long, in addition to a “Y” connector.
Venting is vital for proper gas dryer installation
Since the dryer’s heated air needs to be exhausted to the outside of the home, you will need to make sure you have the proper venting available before installing a gas dryer. If you’re able, refer to the vent system charts in the installation manual to determine the number of vent sections and elbow joints required. Be aware that only four-inch wide venting and clamps should be used. While forty-five-degree elbow joints will provide better air flow than ninety-degree elbow joints, the goal should be to use the fewest number of elbows and turns as possible to reach the outside of the home. This will allow the air to be exhausted with the greatest efficiency. Finally, an exhaust hood will need to be installed at the end of the venting on the home’s exterior wall, positioned at least twelve inches from the ground.
The space around the dryer cabinet needs good ventilation as well. For this reason, the rear of the dryer should be positioned no closer than six inches from the wall. If you intend to install the dryer in a cabinet or closet, be sure to allow for at least one inch of space on the sides and top of the appliance. Also, make sure there is enough room for the dryer door to fully open. Additionally, if a closet door is used, the door should be louvered, or space left at the top and bottom of the door, to ensure adequate air flow.
Getting the gas dryer ready for installation
If you’re installing a gas dryer that’s brand new and still in its shipping box, you should use a boxcutter to cut around the box near the bottom. The box can then be lifted straight up to remove, leaving the dryer resting on the cardboard base. If you’re reinstalling an older dryer, place a piece of cardboard under the appliance so the flooring won’t be damaged when the dryer is moved.
Do the legs or feet need to be installed in the base of the dryer? Have an assistant help you to tip the appliance back so the rear panel rests on the cardboard. Now thread the legs into the base of the dryer so each foot is approximately a half-inch from the base. If the legs come with locking nuts, you should tighten the nuts against the base to secure the legs.
How to hook up a gas dryer
- Return the dryer to its upright position and drape the power cord over the front of the appliance so it’s not hanging down behind the rear panel.
- Keeping the dryer on the cardboard, gently slide the appliance to its final location, but leave enough room to connect the exhaust vent. Remove the cardboard from underneath the appliance.
- If applicable, remove the cap covering the gas pipe on the rear of the dryer.
- Once the gas connector has been secured, open the gas valve and test all of the connections by applying a non-corrosive leak-detection solution. The solution will bubble if there is a gas leak. Any leaking connections should be corrected immediately.
- If your gas dryer model has a steam function, you can use the same cold water supply valve that provides water to your washer to supply water to the dryer. To set this up, shut off the cold water supply valve and detach the washer inlet hose from the valve port (be prepared for some water to spill out). We recommend replacing the old washer in the hose with a new washer in addition to using new washers in the new two-foot and five-foot inlet hoses. Thread the new two-foot washing machine inlet hose onto the cold water supply valve port by hand until snug. Thread the opposite end of this hose onto the short end of a “Y” connector. Using pliers, tighten the couplings an additional two-thirds turn but avoid over-tightening. Next, thread the old washer inlet hose onto one of the “Y” connecter ports and the new five-foot inlet hose onto the remaining “Y” connecter port. Use the pliers to tighten the couplings an additional two-thirds turn. If applicable, remove the cap from the fill valve on the rear of the dryer and thread the five-foot inlet hose onto the fill valve and tighten. Turn the cold water supply valve back on and check for leaks around all of the hose fittings.
- Attach the venting to the exhaust outlet on the dryer using a four-inch clamp.
- As required, move the dryer into its final position, keeping the rear of the dryer at least six inches from the wall and being careful not to crush or kink the venting.
- Determine that the dryer is level from side-to-side and front-to-back. If not, you can support the front, side, or rear of the dryer with a wood block or a comparable sturdy object, then use an adjustable wrench to rotate the appropriate leg clockwise to lower that corner of the appliance or counterclockwise to raise that corner. Confirm the dryer is level and that all four feet are in contact with the floor, then tighten the locking nuts if applicable.
- Plug the dryer power cord into the electrical outlet and the gas dryer should be ready for use.
Additional gas dryer care tips
- Clean the lint filter after every load and replace it if the filter develops any rips or holes.
- Periodically inspect the filter housing for lint build-up and use a vacuum with an attachment to clean it out.
- At least once a year, detach the dryer venting from the exhaust outlet and use a dedicated vent cleaning brush to clean out the entire length of the venting.
- Consider using a vacuum to clean out the inside of the dryer cabinet annually.
Find genuine OEM parts for installing a gas dryer at Repair Clinic
If you’re performing a gas dryer hookup or need new connectors, hoses, or venting to install or reinstall your dryer, you want to make sure you’re purchasing genuine parts provided by the dryer manufacturer, whether that manufacturer is Bosch, Electrolux, GE, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Speed Queen, or Whirlpool. That’s why your repair partner should be Repair Clinic.com. Simply enter the full model number of your dryer in Repair Clinic’s “Shop Parts & Get Answers” search bar to see a full list of genuine OEM parts compatible with your model. Whether you need parts for installation or a replacement part required to repair a broken dryer, such as gas valve solenoid coils, a drum belt, drum glides, or a thermal fuse, you can use the navigation filters to identify the specific part or parts that match your dryer.