Can You Convert A Gas Dryer To Electric

Can You Convert A Gas Dryer To Electric

You can convert your gas dryer to electric. Many people who live in apartments or homes that are not equipped with natural gas choose to convert their gas dryers to electric instead. It’s an easy process, but there are some important things you need to know before you begin converting your gas dryer to electric. You just need to do some research and understand what is involved with converting a gas dryer to an electric first.

Can You Convert A Gas Dryer To Electric?

Yes, it is possible to convert a gas dryer to an electric one. The dryer is used to dry clothes after washing. A dryer is actually a piece of equipment that uses heat and movement to dry clothes. The most common dryer is a gas dryer which operates with gas. But, nowadays, there are many types of dryers available in the market such as electric dryers, solar dryers, vented dryers, etc.

How Do You Convert A Gas Dryer To An Electric?

Install a 240-volt dryer receptacle

The first step to converting a gas dryer to an electric one is to install a 240-volt dryer receptacle. To do this, turn off the breaker to the outlet that the dryer is plugged into, then unscrew the existing outlet. Remove the wires from the outlet and then use a voltage tester to make sure the outlet is dead. Next, install a new outlet that’s rated for 240 volts. You’ll have to install a new wiring loom to go with the new dryer receptacle. If your dryer is a 220-volt dryer, you’ll have to install a 220-volt dryer receptacle. If you decide to go with a 220-volt dryer receptacle, you’ll have to modify your wiring loom accordingly.

Hook up the wiring and gas line

Before you can install the dryer drum, you’ll need to hook up the wiring and gas line. If your dryer is a 220-volt dryer, you can use the existing wiring from your dryer. If your dryer is a 240-volt dryer, you’ll have to install a new wiring loom. Use an electrical voltage tester to make sure the wiring is dead. Next, attach a new voltage plug to the wiring loom. Once the wiring is hooked up, turn off the power to the dryer to test the wiring. Turn the power back on, and then turn on the dryer to make sure it runs smoothly. Now it’s time to install the gas line. If your gas dryer has an existing gas line, you can use the existing line. If not, you’ll have to install a new gas line. You may need to call a professional to do this part of the installation for you.

Install the electric dryer drum

Once you’ve installed the gas line and wired the dryer, you’re ready to install the electric dryer drum. Make sure the dryer drum is the same size as your gas dryer drum, or it won’t fit correctly and will damage the dryer drum. If you purchased an 8-pound or 10-pound capacity dryer, depending on whether you have a gas or electric dryer, you can use the same dryer settings that you used with the gas dryer, but you’ll have to convert the times in your head to convert from gas to electric. When converting from gas to electric, you’ll have to increase the drying time by 30%. Use a voltage tester to make sure you don’t have any voltage running through the dryer drum. If you do, unplug the dryer and turn off the power to the dryer. Once you are sure the dryer drum is dead, use a hammer to pound the existing dryer drum out and the new drum in. Next, connect the gas line, wiring, and drum together. If there is a difference in the drum height, you can use shims to level out the drum.

Add the exhaust hose and dryer vent

After you’ve installed the electric dryer drum, it’s time to attach the exhaust hose and dryer vent. If your dryer has an existing exhaust hose, you can use the same one. If not, you’ll have to install a new one. If you have a gas dryer, you can use the same gas vent that came with your gas dryer. If you have an electric dryer, however, you’ll have to use a different vent. If your new electric dryer requires an 8” or 10” exhaust gas vent, you can use the same dryer vent that you used with your gas dryer. Make sure, however, that the dryer vent is big enough to fit the new electric dryer. If your new dryer is bigger than your old dryer, you’ll have to install a new dryer vent.

Test everything before you’re done

After attaching the exhaust hose and dryer vent, it’s time to test everything. Make sure the exhaust hose is not clogged, and that the dryer vent is not clogged. If either of these things is clogged, you may have to clean them out before your electric dryer works properly. Finally, turn the power on to the dryer and make sure it runs smoothly. Once you are sure everything is working correctly, you can turn the power off and unplug the dryer. Now it’s time to clean up after yourself and relax with a nice hot meal while your new electric dryer dries your clothes.

Which Brands And Models Of Dryers Can Be Converted To Electric?

  • Any dryer that uses a standard two-or three-prong plug can be converted from gas to electric. However, it is important to make sure the dryer is not overloaded with too many clothes at one time. 
  • The dryer must have a large enough capacity for the number of loads you will be doing with it. If the dryer has a manual timer, it must reset when the dryer is converted from gas to electric.
  •  If the dryer has an automatic timer that does not reset, you will need to replace the timer with a manual one. 
  • You will also need to change the cycles on the timer to match the cycles of an electric dryer. 
  • You will not be able to convert a gas dryer that has a three-prong plug. If you have a gas dryer with a three-prong plug, you will need to replace it with a new dryer that has a two-prong plug.

Advantages Of Converting A Gas Dryer To Electric

  • You can install the dryer in any location. If your home has a gas line, you must install the dryer near the gas line. But if you are converting a gas dryer to electric, you can install the dryer anywhere in your home. 
  • The cost to convert a gas dryer to an electric is $50 to $200. Converting a dryer from electric to gas costs about the same.
  •   The installation of an electric dryer is much simpler than installing a gas line.
  •  If you live in an apartment building or condo where a gas line cannot be installed, converting a gas dryer to an electric one gives you the option of installing a dryer. 
  •  If you are renting (or plan to rent) your home, a gas dryer cannot be installed. But an electric dryer can be easily installed. 
  • If there is a gas leak in your home, converting a gas dryer to an electric one will not be affected. Converting a gas dryer to electric also gives you the option of installing a dryer where a clothes washer is currently located.

Disadvantages Of Converting A Gas Dryer To Electric

  • Converting a gas dryer to electric adds 50 to 100 dollars to the cost of the dryer. 
  • Because the dryer must be plugged into a 240-volt outlet, you must have an outlet near the dryer. If you do not, you will need an electrician to install a 240-volt outlet near the dryer. 
  •  An electric dryer is typically slower than a gas dryer, taking one to two hours to dry a load of clothes.
  •  Because an electric dryer is slower than a gas dryer, it uses more electricity. Converting a gas dryer to electricity could result in higher utility bills.

Important Safety Tips When Converting A Gas Dryer To Electric

  1. A licensed electrician must install the 240-volt outlet and the wiring needed to convert a gas dryer to electric.
  2.  The dryer must have a large enough capacity to handle the number of loads you will be doing. If the dryer has a manual timer, it must reset. If the dryer has an automatic timer that does not reset, you must replace the timer with a manual timer. 
  3. If your dryer has a dial for setting the cycle, you will need to convert the dial set to numbers. 
  4. If you have a gas dryer with a three-prong plug and want to convert it to electric, you will need to replace the dryer with a two-prong plug.

Conclusion

A gas dryer is convenient and efficient. But if you have a gas dryer and live in an apartment or condo where a gas line cannot be installed, you can convert the dryer to electric. Converting a gas dryer to electricity is a simple and inexpensive process. A 240-volt outlet is installed near the dryer, and the gas line and gas safety valves are disconnected. The gas burner is removed and the gas line is disconnected. The electrician then connects the 240-volt outlet to the dryer. The dryer is now powered by electricity, and you have the option of installing the dryer where a clothes washer is currently located.