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Home / How to Install 220 Volt Outlet for Dryer

How to Install 220 Volt Outlet for Dryer

If you're looking to install a new outlet for your electric dryer, you could be looking at a wide range of prices.

For example, in the Denver area, the cost to install a 220V outlet for an electric dryer ranges anywhere from $250 to $1,200+.

Of course, your price could be higher or lower depending on:

  • The circuit length

  • Accessibility

  • Whether you need to upgrade your panel

  • Labor rates

To help you prepare for this installation, we'll take a closer look at those 4 cost factors.

Note: Throughout this blog, we'll refer to a 220-volt outlet but keep in mind that outlets rated 220, 240 or 250 volts are all considered identical. The bottom line is that an electric dryer will need a dedicated 30-amp circuit that connects to either a 220, 240 or 250-volt outlet.

Cost factor #1: The circuit length

The longer the circuit, the more expensive the installation.

The "circuit length" refers to how many feet of wiring runs from the main electrical panel to the location of the outlet. The average circuit length for a dryer is around 30 feet of wiring.

If you want to get a better idea of how long your particular circuit will be, determine where in your home the electrical panel is located. Then, determine how far the panel is from your dryer.

Remember, though, that wiring doesn't always run "as the crow flies" (i.e. in a straight line from panel to appliance). Sometimes, wiring will need to run along/inside walls, which may increase the length of the circuit.

Cost factor #2: Accessibility

The less accessible the circuit, the more expensive the installation.

Like we mentioned earlier, installing a 220-volt outlet for your dryer requires running wire from your main electrical panel to the dryer's location. "Accessibility", in this case, means how easy it is for your electrician to place the wire in an inconspicuous and safe location.

Examples of less-accessible installations include:

  • Running wire along/around concrete floors

  • Installing a circuit in a fully finished home (vs. an unfinished home without drywall)

  • Running wire through the attic or between walls

  • Running wire up several floors in the house

Cost factor #3: Whether you need to upgrade your main panel

If you need to upgrade your home's main electrical panel, the cost of the overall project will increase by anywhere from $3,200 to $8,000.

To learn more about the factors that affect the cost of an electrical panel upgrade, check out our blog, " How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel in Colorado?"

So how do you know if you need to upgrade your main electrical panel? Well, typically, you can tell by locating your main panel (these are usually in a garage, storage room, basement or closet) and checking for any open slots.

For example, in the picture below, the panel has availability for a circuit breaker sized appropriately for an electric dryer.

what size breaker for electric dryer?

Keep in mind that all electric dryers need a 30-amp, double-pole circuit breaker (typically, these breakers take up two slots in your panel).

Not sure if your main electrical panel has availability for your electric dryer's circuit breaker? Just have an electrician inspect your panel and determine the availability.

Cost factor #4: Labor rates

Not all electricians charge the same for their labor. For example, some charge by the hour while others charge a flat fee for the entire project.

But regardless of whether an electrician charges hourly vs flat-fee, one standard rule typically applies: the more experience and skill they have, the more the electrician will charge to install your 220-volt outlet.

That said, don't just pick the electrician that offers the lowest quote. High-quality electrical work may be pricey upfront but typically saves homeowners from expensive repairs and/or electrical mishaps down the road.

Tips to find the best Denver electrician for the job:

  • Make sure that the electrician works for a company that's been around for 10+ years

  • Check that the electrician is licensed and insured in the state of Colorado

  • Ask the electrician for 2–3 referrals from past, satisfied customers

  • Make sure the electrician provides upfront pricing in writing

Related: How to Find the Best Electrician in Denver, CO

Live in Denver and need a quote for your outlet installation?

Related reading:

  • How Much Does an AFCI Breaker Cost?

  • How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel in Colorado?

How to Install 220 Volt Outlet for Dryer

Source: https://plumblineservices.com/help-guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-a-220v-outlet-for-my-electric-dryer