Introduction
A dryer is a significant investment that demands a lot of research. You may choose a dryer with the best features at a great price. However, if you have poor planning for dryer installation you may end up with poor performance or a broken dryer. If you have a broken dryer you can search for “dryer repair near me” and hire professionals to fix it for you. Let’s check out how you can prepare yourself for a dryer installation:
The Preparation
- Preparation is necessary for dryer installation – Unlike something like a microwave oven or a television set, a dryer is a large and power-hungry appliance that needs a lot of preparation for installation. Most people would like to click a link after scrolling through several ads on social media and buy the perfect dryer. However, there are two things that need to be addressed.
You need to figure out if the dryer would even fit in your laundry room or any other chosen designated space and if that place has suitable connector points to hook up your dryer. Moreover, during the preparation phase, you’ll come across many challenges that need to be fixed before the actual installation. For instance, your current dryer may be located in the attic but the new dryer you want to buy may be too wide to fit through the small attic entrance or stairs.
Apart from that, there may be connection problems that need to be fixed during the preparation phase. For instance, if you have a gas dryer and want to upgrade to an electrical dryer you may be surprised to know that the old electrical connection may not be compatible with the new dryer. While a gas dryer uses electricity, it uses a tiny amount for its sensors and other electronic components. On the other hand, an electric dryer needs a lot of power to simply heat the air. That’s why they require different electrical connections.
- Measurements – Similar to refrigerators, ovens, and other large home appliances, dryers don’t come in standard sizes. Even if you stick to the same brand and same refrigerator series, you’ll be buying a refrigerator with different dimensions after a few years. That’s why you need to measure the designated space for your dryer very carefully before you even start looking for a new model. Measure the designated space and leave at least a couple of inches gap to have some leeway for movement and air movement for keeping the dryer cool.
If your laundry room is in a tight space with very limited space and is squeezed even further with shelves and cabinets, then you need even more careful measurements for the height and width of the dryer. When you get all the dimensions, use it to shortlist a few dryers that match those specs and choose the best one among them. Apart from leaving space for cooling and movement, you also need to leave around 2 to 6 inches of space at the back of the dryer for gas and electric connections.
- Get the right parts and figure out the connections – Apart from Bosch and Miele most manufacturers don’t provide installation parts in the packaging. Here’s what you need to buy separately:
- A 3 prong or 4 prong power cord for your electric dryer depending on the electric dryer at the installation location. If you don’t use a new power cord your dryer won’t be covered by insurance.
- If you have a steam dryer, you’ll also need a Y-connector. The dryer uses this connector to draw water from your home’s plumbing system and use the steam feature. If you get a dryer that doesn’t offer steam drying, then you don’t need this one.
- For regular gas dryers, you’ll need a flex gas line. Again, you’ll need a new line to get insurance cover.
- You’ll also need a stacking kit that works and is specifically designed for your dryer model.
Apart from those installation parts, you’ll also need a few special connectors for your dryer. If you have a gas dryer, you’ll need a working gas shut-off valve that isn’t corroded. On the other hand, if your home gets liquid propane gas, you’ll need the right conversion kit to make it work with your dryer. You’ll also need a vent line within 4 feet of the dryer and a standard 3-prong 110V electrical outlet within close reach.
If you have an electric dryer, you’ll need the more powerful and more efficient 220V outlet within 4 feet of the dryer. This is a necessity since electric dryers can’t be hardwired. If you have an old home, you’ll need a 3-prong power cord. Newer homes have 4-prong outlets for the 220V electric outlet. While electric dryers mostly use condenser pumps, if yours needs to be vented then you’ll need a vent line within 4 feet of your dryer.
- Door swing and path to installation location – Dryers have doors that open sideways. Some even have door swing reversal hinges so that the door can be reinstalled to the other side if there’s a wall blocking the swing path. Make sure that your dryer has a field reversal door so that you can make the changes if necessary. Appliance stores even offer door reversal services for a small fee.
Finally, you need to measure the path of the dryer from your home’s entrance to the installation location. That means you need to measure the stairs, doors, and the path and make sure it’s comfortably wider than the dryer. You’ll also need to measure for height if the dryer needs to go to a compact space like the attic.
Conclusion
Preparing for dryer installation isn’t a small task. It takes a lot of planning and proper execution so that the dryer fits in the designated space and performs at its best. Otherwise, you may end up with a broken dryer. If you need to get your broken dryer fixed by a professional, you can search for “dryer repair near me”.
