Laundry manuals set a lowest room temperature for using or storing each machine, and in an unheated garage, those washer and dryer garage temperature limits are the numbers that matter. They're in the location requirements because a washer holds water in its valves, pump and hoses, and a dryer's automatic cycles depend on the air around it.
What the spec actually says
- •Whirlpool top-load washer (W10150593A): The guide says do not store or operate your washer in temperatures at or below 32°F, and not to install or store it where it will be exposed to the weather.
- •Whirlpool commercial front-load washer (CHW9050/CHW9060): It sets a similar limit, no operation below 32°F, and explains why: water can remain in the washer and cause damage in low temperatures.
- •Whirlpool 29-inch electric dryers (W10617663C): The dryer guide says don't operate the dryer at temperatures below 45°F, because the automatic cycle may not shut off and drying times can increase. It also notes that local codes may restrict installing dryers in garages, and it allows a maximum floor slope of 1 inch, with an extended feet kit for steeper floors.
The dryer's limit is higher than the washer's. A garage that stays just above freezing can still be too cold for the dryer.
Why manufacturers require it
- •Trapped water freezes: Even after draining, some water stays in the inlet valve, pump, hoses and tub sump. Ice expands and can crack plastic parts or split a hose.
- •Frozen supply lines: Garage water lines often run along exterior walls, where they freeze first.
- •Dryer sensing: Automatic dry cycles judge dryness from conditions in the drum. Very cold intake air throws that off, so a cycle may run on, as Whirlpool describes.
- •Garage floors slope: Garage slabs are often pitched toward the door for drainage, which can exceed a dryer's 1-inch slope allowance.
How to check your home against it
- Put a minimum-maximum thermometer near the machines for a week of cold weather, and read the overnight low.
- Compare the low with 32°F for the washer and 45°F for the dryer.
- Trace the washer's water lines and note any that run along an outside wall or through an unheated space.
- Check the floor under each machine with a level. A slope of more than 1 inch across the dryer needs the extended feet kit or a level platform.
- For a gas dryer in a garage, check that its base sits at least 18 inches above the floor, as the Whirlpool gas dryer guide requires.
- If the washer will sit unused through the winter, look up the winterizing steps in its manual.
What happens when it's ignored
- •A frozen inlet valve or hose cracks and leaks when the house warms or the water comes back on.
- •The washer won't fill or drain on a cold morning.
- •Dryer cycles run long or won't end on their own.
- •A sloped floor adds vibration and walking to the cold-weather problems.
Floor slope is its own installation spec. See floor requirements for front-load washers.
When it needs a licensed pro
- •Insulating, heating or rerouting water lines in a garage is plumbing work.
- •Adding heat to a garage, or an outlet for it, involves a licensed electrician, and gas heaters need a licensed gas fitter.
- •Raising a gas dryer or moving it within a garage requires disconnecting gas, which is a job for a licensed gas fitter or plumber.
- •Garage laundry may be restricted by local code, so ask your building department before moving machines into one.
Sources
- •Whirlpool: Top-load washer installation instructions W10150593A (no storage or use at or below 32°F; no weather exposure)
- •Whirlpool: CHW9050/CHW9060 installation instructions (water remaining in the washer can cause damage)
- •Whirlpool: 29-inch electric dryer installation instructions W10617663C (no use below 45°F; code restrictions; 1-inch slope)
Quick check: Read a thermometer in the garage at dawn on a cold day. Below 45°F, the dryer is outside its spec; at 32°F, the washer is too.
Leaks or a no-fill after a cold snap can mean a frozen part has cracked, so leave the water off until it's checked. TrueFix Long Island can help at (631) 985-3690, or use our washer repair page.