Gas Washers and Dryers

A gas washer and dryer set combines a standard electric washing machine with a dryer that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat. While the washer plugs in like any other appliance, the gas powered dryer connects to a gas line to dry your clothes quickly and efficiently. This setup is a favorite for households looking to cut down on electricity usage while getting laundry done faster. You can find a variety of reliable, high-performance options right here at The Brick to tackle your family's laundry needs.

Gas Dryers vs Electric Dryers: How They Differ

A gas dryer uses a natural gas or LP propane burner rated between 16,000 and 22,000 BTU per hour to generate heat, while an electric dryer uses a heating element drawing 4,000 to 6,000 watts. The gas burner reaches operating temperature faster than a resistance heating element, which reduces the warm-up period at the beginning of each cycle. The drum motor, controls, and internal lighting in a gas dryer run on a standard 120-volt electrical connection — gas dryers use electricity for everything except heat generation. As with all residential washing machines, the washer in a paired gas laundry set is entirely electric and requires a 120-volt outlet.

At typical Canadian utility rates, gas dryer operating cost runs approximately $0.15 to $0.25 per load compared to $0.30 to $0.45 per load for electric. Annual operating costs for a gas dryer at three loads per week are approximately $30 to $50, compared to $60 to $90 for an equivalent electric model. Gas dryers carry a higher initial purchase price — typically $200 to $500 more than comparable electric models — and gas line installation costs an additional $150 to $400 if no line is currently present at the dryer location. The payback period on the gas premium depends on load frequency and the local cost differential between gas and electricity in your area. You can browse available gas dryers in our dedicated Gas Dryers collection and washers in our Washing Machines collection.

Gas Dryer Installation Requirements

Installing a gas dryer requires three connections: a gas supply line, a standard 120-volt electrical outlet, and a 4-inch exhaust duct to the exterior. The gas supply line connects to the dryer via a flexible corrugated metal connector — typically sold separately — that links the dryer's 1/2-inch NPT inlet to the household gas shutoff valve. All gas connections must be checked for leaks with a gas leak detection solution or detector after installation before operating the dryer. Gas line installation or modification must be performed by a licensed gas technician in most Canadian provinces.

The exhaust duct must terminate at the exterior of the home, not into a wall cavity, attic, or crawlspace. Rigid galvanized steel or smooth-bore aluminum duct is required for the main run. Flexible foil transition duct — the corrugated hose that connects the dryer's exhaust port to the rigid duct — should not exceed the manufacturer's specified maximum length, typically 8 feet. Longer flexible sections accumulate lint faster and represent a fire risk. Total duct run length should be confirmed against the dryer model's installation manual, as each 90-degree elbow adds equivalent resistance to the airflow path. If your existing laundry space has an electric dryer setup with a 240-volt outlet, the outlet will need to be replaced with a 120-volt outlet when switching to gas.

Stacking and Space Planning

Front-load gas dryers are stackable when paired with a compatible front-load washer using a manufacturer-approved stacking kit. Top-load washers cannot be stacked beneath a dryer. A stacking kit is required and must be the model specified for the exact washer and dryer combination — universal kits are not interchangeable with all models. After stacking, the gas shutoff valve at the wall must remain accessible without moving the appliance. This should be confirmed before finalizing the installation position, as a stacked unit cannot be easily repositioned if the shutoff is blocked. Standard stacked unit height is approximately 74 to 78 inches depending on the models, which must clear ceiling-height constraints in the laundry space.

Gas Washer-Dryer Combination Units

A washer-dryer combination unit is a single appliance that completes both wash and dry cycles in the same drum without transferring laundry between machines. These are a distinct product category from a laundry pair. Combination units are available in gas-heated versions. Their practical tradeoff is capacity — a combination unit's drum volume is limited by the need to accommodate both cycles in the same space, so effective drying capacity per load is smaller than a separate dryer of the same drum size. Cycle times are also longer than running a separate washer and dryer sequentially because the full wash-to-dry process runs in a single uninterrupted cycle in one machine.

Choosing Between a Paired Set and a Combination Unit

A paired washer and gas dryer set allows a second load to be washed while the first dries, and each machine operates at its full rated capacity. A combination unit requires only one appliance space and one set of connections, which is practical in laundry closets or spaces where two separate machines do not fit side by side or stacked. The right format depends on available floor space, connection availability, and typical load volume per laundry session.

FAQ About Gas Washer and Dryer Sets

What connections does a gas dryer require?

A gas dryer requires three connections: a natural gas or LP propane supply line terminated with a shutoff valve at the dryer location, a standard 120-volt electrical outlet for the drum motor and controls, and a 4-inch exhaust duct terminating at the exterior of the home. The gas line must be connected using a flexible metal connector and all connections must be leak-tested before use. In most Canadian provinces, gas line work must be performed by a licensed gas technician. If replacing an electric dryer with a gas model, the existing 240-volt outlet will need to be replaced with a 120-volt outlet.

Do gas dryers cost less to run than electric dryers?

Yes, at typical Canadian utility rates. Gas dryer operating cost runs approximately $0.15 to $0.25 per load versus $0.30 to $0.45 per load for electric, with annual operating costs of roughly $30 to $50 for gas versus $60 to $90 for electric at three loads per week. Gas dryers carry a higher purchase price and, if no gas line is currently present, installation costs an additional $150 to $400. The cost advantage of gas is most meaningful for households with high laundry volume over a multi-year ownership period.

Can a gas dryer be stacked with any washer?

No. Stacking is only compatible with front-load washers and requires a manufacturer-approved stacking kit specific to the washer and dryer model combination. Top-load washers cannot be used as the base in a stacked installation. After stacking, the gas shutoff valve at the wall must remain accessible without repositioning the appliance — this should be confirmed during installation planning, not after.

What is a gas washer-dryer combination unit?

A combination unit is a single appliance that washes and dries in the same drum in one continuous cycle, available in gas-heated versions. It requires only one appliance footprint and one set of connections. The practical tradeoff is smaller effective load capacity compared to separate machines and longer total cycle time, since the wash and dry sequence runs sequentially in one drum rather than simultaneously across two machines.

What duct material is required for a gas dryer exhaust?

The main exhaust duct run must use rigid galvanized steel or smooth-bore rigid aluminum, terminating at the exterior of the home. The flexible corrugated transition hose between the dryer's exhaust port and the rigid duct should not exceed the maximum length specified in the dryer's installation manual — typically 8 feet. Longer flexible sections accumulate lint faster and represent a fire risk. Each 90-degree elbow in the duct run adds airflow resistance equivalent to several feet of straight duct and must be accounted for in the total allowable duct length calculation.