Hooking up a clothes dryer is an easy process that can save you time and money. Most dryers can be hooked up by the homeowner, but if you have an older or specialty model, it might be easier to hire a professional for this task.
First, you’ll need to find an electrical outlet box. Most washing machines use the standard 120-volt plug, while dryers will require a 240-volt outlet. If you have a new gas dryer, it will also need a 240-volt cord installed by an electrician.
Next, you’ll need a hose or duct to connect the dryer vent to the outside wall. The hose or duct should fit over the dryer’s vent hole and should be made of metal. This will help prevent lint from collecting inside the duct.
The hose or duct should be attached to the back of the dryer with a circular clamp. This will keep it from slipping off or breaking during installation. Many hoses come with clamps specifically designed to fit dryers.
If you don’t have a hose or duct, you can buy one online or at your local hardware store. It can be a flexible plastic hose or a rigid aluminum duct. Make sure to check the type of duct you choose, as different types of duct will collect dirt and lint differently.
Once the hose or duct is connected to the wall, you can now move your clothes dryer into place. You should have a good space between your dryer and the wall to allow for adequate ventilation. This space will be about four inches wider than the dryer, to account for any excess air that can escape from the machine.
Installing an electric dryer is a relatively easy task that will take about half an hour to complete. It should be done by an experienced electrician, but you can do it yourself if you have some basic skills and are familiar with your electrical wiring.
Before removing the existing dryer cord, you’ll need to locate the electrical cover plate on the back of your dryer. This should be near a hole about 3/4-inch in diameter in the back panel. You’ll need to loosen the screws that hold the cover plate in place to expose the wiring terminal block for the dryer cord connections.
The wires should be color coded, indicating that a neutral white wire is connected to the center ground terminal, and a black and red wire is connected to the outer terminals. For a four-prong cord, there may also be a green grounding wire connected to the same terminals. If you have trouble identifying the wires, mark them with tape to help you.
You’ll need to replace the existing dryer cord with a new one. You can either buy a new one or save an old, used one that meets the necessary safety codes and fits your dryer.
To remove the existing dryer cord, you’ll need a screwdriver or a nut driver to loosen each of the screws holding it in place. Once all of the screws are removed, you’ll be able to pull the existing cord out and remove it from the access panel bracket that holds it against the back of your dryer.