Gas dryers are affordable over the long run. Gas dryers do not require an electrician to be installed; as such, they can be easily set up. They also use natural gas for fuel which is much cheaper than electricity. Furthermore, gas dryers are more efficient and make less noise than electric dryers.
Because gas dryers typically use pilot light technology, people prefer gas dryers over electric dryers. But what is the purpose of a pilot light? Is a pilot light necessary for a gas dryer? This article will answer all the issues you have regarding pilot lights.
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What is a gas dryer?
Gas can be an affordable fuel over the long run.
A Gas dryer uses a variety of fuels to generate heat, including natural gas or propane. It is better to have an existing gas source if you want to go with a gas dryer, as it will be easier for the dryer to heat your clothes.
Gas dryers require an electrical outlet that is 120 volts and a capped-off gas line that connects to a gas inlet on the exterior of your washer or dryer.
Gas dryers use less electricity than electric dryers. This is why some people choose to run a gas dryer as an alternative for their electric clothes dryer. The total operating costs for gas dryers are lower due to less electricity consumption and generally lower gas costs than electricity.
Other advantages of having a gas dryer are drying clothes quickly, being gentle and fewer wrinkles on clothes.
Is there a pilot light in a dryer?
In the early 1900s, pilot lights heated gas dryers to be lit manually. Today, gas dryers have a different design, as they are heated by a burner inside the machine that needs no help from anyone. Since then, gas dryers have come with electronic ignition mechanisms that light the burner whenever the controls call for heat when heating.
Before purchasing a gas dryer, people want to ensure a pilot light. A pilot light is crucial for the gas dryer and will indicate if the machine is functioning correctly. To light gasoline dryers, you’ll have to carefully pry open the lid (located above the burner) and light the pilot while they’re still cold. The pilot light will produce a small flame that heats the heating element in the gas dryer to generate heat. If a person sees no flame when they first turn on their gas dryer, they should call a professional for help.
Sometimes, a gas dryer may not get warm enough if the pilot is not lit. This can cause too much air in the system, and the burner isn’t burning correctly. One thing to note is that if this is happening, you almost always want to check your gas lines to ensure they are clear of any obstructions.
Where is the pilot light on a dryer?
The power of your dryer’s heating element is controlled by a light bulb inside, and the position of the switch changes based on where you are when looking through the door. Some dryers have a built-in light, while others require you to install an external light before turning it on.
First, look at the bottom of the inside of your dryer. Depending on your model, your pilot light may be on the left side or right side. If you see the pulley on the right, the pilot light will be on the left, and if it is on the left, the pilot light will be on your right.
Location of the pilot and the gas valve
The most effortless way to find the gas valve is by following the gas line from where it comes into your house and goes to the base of your dryer. The gas valve for your laundry dryer is on the upper left side of the dryer, next to the gas line. You can access the valve for your dryer from the inside by removing one panel from it. If you remove the grey panel, you will find the instruction manual in its interior. There may or may not be screws that you have to remove for this process. After removing the panel, you might see directions inside for lighting the pilot.
How to light the pilot
Find the gas control. From the three positionings on the knob, turn the knob to the off position. The gas control is a large red knob on the front of the gas valve. There is a marker on the knob with several positions on the adjacent plate. Turn “off” the knob and wait five minutes. So the residual gas in the burner and pilot tube has time to clear out.
Then turn the knob to the pilot position again hold it in. Hold a lighter to the pilot orifice. Dismiss the heat when the pilot lights, but keep the knob depressed for about 20 seconds. Let the thermocouple time heat up. Release the knob and confirm the pilot stays lit. Then, turn “on” the knob and replace the panel on the front of the dryer. The dryer is now ready to use.
Why doesn’t my pilot light remain lit?
If you can’t get the pilot to light, inspect the main gas shutoff and make sure it is on. If the pilot light isn’t working, a blockage is the most likely reason. So disassemble the pilot tube to clean it with compressed air. If you feel like you cannot do this alone, call a professional to help you.
The pilot may light but go out once you release the control knob, no matter how long you hold the knob in before releasing it. It indicates that there is a problem with the thermocouple. Repositioning or replacing the thermocouple solves this issue most of the time.
Do gas dryers still operate via a pilot light?
Gas dryers no longer operate with a pilot light. The last time they were used was around 1994s that had a hot surface ignitor. Gas dryers have gas ignitors that click on and off as necessary.
Old gas dryers came with pilot lights that would light up, like older furnaces or water heaters. The gas dryers that are now a common installation feature in many homes operate similarly to the newer water heaters and furnaces, where the units have an electrical ignition system. When the natural gas is passed over the hot piece of metal, it ignites and gives you the heat for your dryer.
