While Bosch primarily sells electric and heat pump dryers in the North American market, some households have older Bosch or Bosch-compatible gas dryer installations. All gas dryers, regardless of brand, produce combustion byproducts including carbon monoxide (CO). This advisory outlines essential CO safety for gas dryer installations.
Applicable Installations
Any gas dryer installation in a home, including gas dryers connected to Bosch washer-dryer stacking configurations and laundry rooms with any brand of gas dryer.
The Risk
A gas dryer with a blocked, disconnected, or damaged exhaust vent can release carbon monoxide into the living space. CO is colorless and odorless — it cannot be detected without a CO detector. Symptoms of CO exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
Required Safety Measures
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in or near the laundry room — this is required by building code in most jurisdictions
- Inspect the exhaust duct connection at the dryer and at the wall annually
- Ensure the exhaust duct is not kinked, crushed, or disconnected behind the dryer
- Have the exhaust duct professionally cleaned annually to prevent lint blockage
- If the CO detector alarms, open windows, leave the house, and call 911
Signs of CO Issues
- CO detector alarms during or after dryer use
- Condensation on windows in the laundry room (indicates exhaust is not venting outside)
- Laundry room feels excessively hot and humid during dryer operation
- Lint accumulating outside the dryer (not in the exhaust vent)
Urgency Level
High for any household without a CO detector near a gas dryer. Install a CO detector immediately. If you suspect CO exposure, leave the house and call 911.