Can A Gas Dryer Be Converted To Electric? (Yes, Here's How)

Many homeowners want to know whether or not they can convert their gas dryer into an electric one. Sometimes, they move into a home that only has electric hookups. Or sometimes it’s that they want a change of pace and want that conversion. However, is this even possible?

You can convert a gas dryer to an electric dryer if you exchange parts and rewire it to use an electric heat assembly. It is not cost-effective to convert a gas dryer to electric, and it is cheaper to buy a new electric dryer. You would need to replace the heating element, gas ignition, and burner to convert a dryer from gas to electric.

This article will cover all the differences between a gas dryer and an electric dryer unit. In order to understand the difficulty of this project, you need to understand the significant differences. That way, you can see where we’re coming from when we say it’s just not a good idea.

Before going into details about conversion, let’s understand what makes an electric dryer differ from a gas one. Propane and other natural gas dryers create heat via a gas burner. Apart from this, its operation is identical to that of an electric dryer.

A significant difference is that of cost due to the kind of energy source: Running costs of a gas dryer will typically be around 50% less than those of an electric model. They also have different installation requirements.

Finally, there’s a significant difference in the purchase price of electric and gas dryers. Typically, gas dryers cost more than electric ones.

Gas dryers typically operate on 110-volts, whereas electric dryers use 240 volts to power the heating coils. This is double the power of a standard household current. If you only want to use 110 volts, it is possible to find smaller or even portable dryers that can use it.

In the same way as gas models, the vast majority of electric dryers need external venting to remove the hot air and water vapor. While specific models that don’t require vents are available, they are more expensive.

It is far simpler to install an electric dryer: Plug the appliance into a 240-volt power source, and you’re ready to go. If there’s a laundry room in your home, most likely, you already have a power outlet specially designed to handle the additional energy requirements of the dryer. This will be linked to breakers in the main box.

The electric dryer has a large plug that consists of either four or three prongs to fit the outlet. The only problem which can arise is if the shape of the plug does not match the socket. If this is the case, either the plug or socket will need to be changed.

Tumbling and the flow of air are equally necessary. Gas dryers use a burner, and electric dryers use a heating element to raise the temperature inside the dryer to a level which will water to evaporate.

In electric dryers, the electrical current moves through the heating coil, causing a build-up of electrons and heating the metal. This causes the air to become hot, and it is then propelled into the dryer drum with a fan or blower.

However, when a natural gas or propane gas dryer operates, an igniter causes the gas to burn. The fan or blower then pushes the heated air into the drum the same way it would in an electric dryer.

Both gas and electric dryers must be adequately vented to the property’s exterior to remove hot moist are and particles of lint and other debris. Without correct ventilation for your dryer, the laundry room would soon be full of mildew and dust, which could cause respiration and other health problems.

In addition, a gas dryer vent serves to expel the waste products from the burnt gas, which could be toxic over time. In apartments, an electric dryer is a better option as there are ventless models on the market, and these dispense with the need for external venting.

Gas dryers work in a different way than electric ones, and as a result, contain various components. Gas dryers use an igniter, a gas burner, and other parts not found in an electric model. Therefore, all the elements which allow it to operate with gas would have to be removed.

Also, burner tubes, fuses, safety features, and the temperature at which the dryer runs are entirely different. This means that in order to take on this project, you’ll need considerable knowledge of wiring, currents, and appliance operation.