Gas Dryer FAQ: Igniter, Coils, Venting and Safety

Safety first

Why does natural gas smell like rotten eggs?

Natural gas has no smell of its own. Utilities add a harmless odorant, usually described as a rotten-egg smell, so a leak is easy to notice. If you smell it near your dryer, treat it as a leak: leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667.

Is a gas dryer a carbon monoxide risk?

A gas dryer makes combustion exhaust, which must leave the house through the dryer duct. A blocked, crushed or disconnected vent can let those gases back into the home. Keep the vent clear, vent outdoors only, and keep a working carbon monoxide alarm near the bedrooms.

Is it normal to smell gas when a gas dryer starts?

Never assume it is. Some gas dryers can give off a brief odor as the burner first lights, but any smell that lingers is an emergency. If in doubt, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy from a safe distance, and do not use the dryer until it has been checked.

Who do I call for a gas dryer leak?

Call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667 from a safe distance, not from inside the house. Atmos Energy can check for a leak and make the area safe. Afterward, gas piping and the shutoff valve are a licensed plumber’s job, and the dryer’s own gas parts are a dryer technician’s.

Should I close the gas valve when I am not using the dryer?

It is not required for daily use. Close the shutoff valve before servicing or moving the dryer, and whenever you suspect a leak. The valve is a quarter-turn lever on the supply line behind the dryer: when the handle sits across the pipe, the gas is off. Open it only once the work is done.

Can I run a gas dryer with a blocked vent?

No. A blocked vent traps heat and combustion exhaust, and it is the usual reason thermal fuses blow and clothes stay damp. Stop the dryer, clear the vent, and run the ten-minute vent test before using it again. The slow-drying guide shows how to do the test.

Ignition and heat

Why is a glowing igniter not proof that the igniter is good?

The igniter has two jobs: to glow, and to draw enough current to let the gas valve coils open. An igniter can glow dimly or look normal yet not draw enough, so no gas flows. A meter test on the igniter and the coils tells you which part has failed. See the igniter guide.

Why does my gas dryer light and then shut off?

A flame sensor that is weak or dirty can shut the burner off after a brief flame. A restricted vent can also trip the high-limit thermostat, so the burner cycles off and on. The vent and the flame sensor are checked first, then the valve coils.

What do gas valve coils do?

The coils are small electromagnets on the gas valve. When the igniter is hot enough, current flows through them and they pull the valve open so gas reaches the burner. Weak coils open the valve late or not at all, which is why a gas dryer can have a glowing igniter and no heat.

Why are gas valve coils often replaced as a pair?

The two coils wear at similar rates, and a worn one can fail soon after its partner. A meter test on each coil shows whether one or both are weak. Ask the technician what the test showed before you decide, and get the price in writing.

What does the flame sensor do?

It confirms the burner has lit and tells the controls to keep the gas flowing. If it is weak, the dryer can shut the burner off after a short flame, which looks like a flame that lights and goes out. It is tested with a meter along with the igniter and coils.

Why does my gas dryer run but not heat?

After checking the breaker and the gas shutoff valve, the usual causes are a weak igniter, weak gas valve coils, a failed thermostat or a blown thermal fuse. A meter test finds which. Because a restricted vent often trips the safety parts, the vent should be checked too. See dryer not heating.

Does a gas dryer need electricity?

Yes. A gas dryer needs a standard 120-volt outlet for the igniter, motor and controls, so a tripped breaker or an unplugged cord can look like a gas problem. Check the plug and the outlet before assuming the gas side has failed.

Venting and airflow

How long can a gas dryer vent be?

The manual sets the maximum length, and it governs. The model residential code defaults to 35 feet of duct, reduced for each bend. Shorter, straighter runs move air better, which matters even more on a gas dryer because the exhaust also carries combustion gases.

What duct is best for a gas dryer?

Rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, because its smooth walls move air well and resist crushing. Plastic and thin foil duct are poor choices, and vinyl duct is not suitable for dryers. Every joint should be secured so exhaust cannot leak into the house.

Can I vent a gas dryer into a garage or crawlspace?

No. A gas dryer must vent outdoors, because its exhaust carries moisture, lint and combustion gases. Venting into a garage, attic or crawlspace is unsafe and goes against the manufacturer’s instructions. If your vent ends indoors, have it corrected before using the dryer.

How often should a gas dryer vent be cleaned?

Empty the lint screen every load and have the full vent run checked about once a year, more often with a large household or a long run. On a gas dryer a blocked vent adds a carbon monoxide concern to the usual fire risk and wasted energy.

Why does my gas dryer take longer to dry than it used to?

Restricted airflow is the most common reason: lint in the duct, a crushed hose or a stuck outside flap. Run the ten-minute vent test. If the air is strong at the outside hood, the cause is more likely in the dryer, such as a weak burner or a dirty moisture sensor.

Gas versus electric

Is gas dryer repair more expensive than electric?

Typical costs overlap. A gas igniter or valve coil repair is about $200 to $375, similar to an electric heating element. Gas dryers have more parts in the heat circuit, so diagnosis takes a little longer, but the price depends on the part and the model, not the fuel.

Can I convert an electric dryer to gas?

No. An electric dryer has no burner or gas valve, and a conversion is not practical. Switching means buying a gas dryer and having a licensed plumber run a gas supply line to the laundry room. Many homes only have the 240-volt outlet.

Which is cheaper to run, gas or electric?

It depends on local gas and electricity prices and on the dryer’s efficiency, so there is no single answer. Gas dryers often cost less per load where natural gas is cheap, but check your own rates. The difference in repair cost between the two is small.

What should I check when buying a replacement gas dryer?

Make sure the laundry room has a gas shutoff valve and a 120-volt outlet, and that the vent run is short, straight and metal. Have a licensed plumber connect the gas. Note the exact model number and warranty so the right parts can be matched later.

Installation and moving

Can I move a gas dryer myself?

It is safer to have a professional do it. Moving a gas dryer means closing the shutoff valve, disconnecting the gas connector and pulling the vent without kinking or cracking either. A kinked connector or loose vent joint can leak, so the connection should be leak-tested and the vent re-secured afterward.

Can I reuse an old flexible gas connector?

Ask a licensed plumber. Many manufacturers say a flexible gas connector should not be reused, and an old or damaged one should be replaced. The connector must be rated for gas appliances, and every connection must be tested for leaks.

Does a gas dryer need a special outlet?

No. A gas dryer uses a standard 120-volt grounded outlet, not the 240-volt outlet an electric dryer needs. The gas comes from a separate supply line with its own shutoff valve. If you only have a 240-volt outlet, a plumber has to add the gas line first.

Repair and cost

How much does gas dryer repair cost in Plano?

Most gas dryer repairs in the Plano area cost about $150 to $400, parts and labor included. A gas igniter or valve coil repair is typically $200 to $375, and clearing a blocked vent about $100 to $200. These are estimates, not a quote, so ask for the exact price in writing.

Is it worth repairing an older gas dryer?

Usually, if it is under about 10 to 12 years old and the repair is a small part such as an igniter or coils. If the repair nears half the price of a comparable new dryer, or the drum is rusted, replacing may be smarter. See the repair or replace guide.

What does a gas dryer repair visit include?

The technician checks the power and the gas shutoff, watches the ignition sequence, tests the igniter, coils and sensors with a meter, and checks the vent. You get the price in writing before any part is replaced. If there is a smell of gas, the work stops until it is sorted out.

What does a plumber do that a dryer technician does not?

A plumber works on gas piping: adding or moving a supply line, replacing the shutoff valve or connector, and leak-testing the connection. A dryer technician repairs the dryer itself: the igniter, valve coils, flame sensor, burner and controls. Call the right one for the problem.

Sources

• Atmos Energy gas emergency guidance (866.322.8667)
• Your dryer’s installation and service manual, which governs over any general guidance on this page
• Plano Dryer Pros estimates of typical local repair pricing, checked against national consumer cost guides for context. See our Editorial Policy.