How to tell if dryer is gas or electric. Gas or electric dryers can be hooked up to your home, and there is no definitive decision on which is better.
However, the Consumer Energy Center says that there is little variation in energy use among clothes dryers from one model to another.
Therefore, clothes dryers are not required to display EnergyGuide labels.” You can determine whether your dryer is gas or electric by checking the box it came in and/or reading your product manual.
How to tell if dryer is gas or electric
If there is only one cord attached to the dryer, it is electric. If the dryer has one cord and an additional metal piece that looks similar to stainless steel, it is most likely a gas dryer.
This flexible cable is not the connector. (Don’t confuse it with the metal tube on top of the unit.)
The dryer’s plug should be checked
One way to tell the difference between gas and electric dryers is by checking the plug. Gas dryers use a simple plug for standard outlets, while electric ones will have larger plugs with 3 standard prongs that are not as close together.
This is because electricity is needed for more components including the light, power panel, and drum in an electric model.
As such models rely on more of it, they need a higher voltage that can be provided by larger plugs with 3 or 4 prongs that face outwards in an open pattern rather than one.
Because much more energy is used by the electrical components of your appliance, these plugs generally require a specifically grounded outlet with a higher amperage than other consumer equipment.
Also, note that the lower wattage dryer has the same shape as a common three-pronged household appliance outlet – but can only be used on them at risk of fire or electrocution!
Its Connections Are Checked
Verify whether any pipes are connected to the back of the dryer when you check the back.
Verify the outlets and wall connections
When you are moving into your new home, and considering buying a new dryer as well, first you will want to check what kind of hookups are connected in your new home.
You will have an easy time finding the connections, but to confirm its compatibility with your intended dryer model it’s important that you know whether this outlet has four prongs or three prongs. 4-pronged outlets are compatible with only electric dryers while 3-pronged ones allow for mixed installations of either equipment type.
In some cases when gas service is not provided by the property owner Dryers may also be set up for hard-wired connection (e.g., with cord and outlet installed directly into drywall).
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