Generally,
Replacing a heating element in a dryer is worth it if the dryer is in good condition. The cost of a new heating element is relatively low compared to buying a new dryer. However, you should consider the age and potential issues before replacing the element.
Most clothes dryers have two key elements: a motor and a heater. The heating element is broken if your dryer runs but won't heat up to dry your clothes. This could be an electrical issue with the circuit breaker or a mechanical issue with the appliance itself.
The cost to replace the heating element in a dryer averages $230 but often ranges from $100 to $350 depending on the machine's age, type, and the nature of the repair work. Whether you have an electric or a gas dryer, its heating element is essential to delivering those fresh, fluffy clothes.
For example, if you paid $800 (CAD 1094) for a dryer you've owned for five years, and the repair will cost around $200 (CAD 274), you should consider repairing it. However, if the repair will cost more than $250 (CAD 342), you should likely replace it, since the repair cost is more than 20% of its original cost.
Why Does a Dryer Heating Element Go Bad? Our clothes dryers work hard and their heating elements have a natural lifespan. They can often need replacing after around 15 years of work.
The heating elements on an electric dryer and the gas valve coils are the parts that most often go bad on a standard dryer. Also, for smart dryers, the sensor can sometimes stop working for a variety of reasons.
For an electric dryer, if one of the volt lines is damaged or malfunctioning, you may find the dryer is spinning but not heating. With gas, the dryer will run but won't get hot if the gas isn't on or isn't getting to the appliance. If insufficient power is the cause, contact a dryer repair professional.
What is the average life of a dryer, you wonder? A dryer typically lasts about 12-13 years; however, some dryer manufacturers boast up to a 25-year lifespan. It's important to remember, though, that clothes dryer life expectancy goes hand in hand with how often the dryer is used and how well you maintain the appliance.
Common reasons for an electric or gas dryer failing to heat up properly include tripped circuit breakers, clogged vents, and no gas flow. Other causes, like a faulty thermal fuse or a broken heating element, could also be to blame.
Your water heater's heating element should last at least as long as the water heater itself — about 10 to 15 years for an electric tank water heater and about 20 years for a tankless water heater. The only reason you would have to replace the heating element before the water heater is if there is a malfunction.
For example, if your current dryer is more than 15 years old, it's probably best to replace it since this is about the time when most dryers reach the end of their serviceable lifespan (both gas and electric unit).
Dryer repair costs will vary depending on the issue. For example, it will cost much less to replace a dryer belt than a motor. That said, if your clothes dryer is more than halfway through its lifespan—7 years or more—and the repair costs more than 50% of the price of a new one, you should consider replacing it.
A blown fuse will make your dryer stop working altogether. If your dryer suddenly stops working, the fuse is one of the first things to check.
2: Heating element may have malfunctioned
Modern dryers should display an error code to indicate an issue with the element. Above: Modern dryers also usually have control panels. If your machine seems to be working but doesn't heat up, reset it and try again. The element may have worn out/blown if it fails to heat up.
Test the thermostat to see if it's giving a proper reading.
If the reading comes up as a 0, then you need to replace the part. Most exterior dryer panels can be removed with a Phillips or flathead screwdriver or electric drill.
The cost to replace a heating element in a dryer is $150 to $350 on average. A dryer heating element costs $15 to $35 for a generic part or up to $200 for OEM parts. Heating-element failure results in cold air inside the dryer that can't dry clothes.
Testing the Heating Element with a Multimeter:
The multimeter should read between 10 and 30 ohms if the heating element is working correctly. If you get a very low or zero reading, it indicates a faulty heating element that needs replacement.
Replacing a dryer heating element is thankfully a straightforward task. In this article, we will give you step-by-step instructions for how to do it so you can get your dryer working again. These steps should work for all major models of dryers, such as Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, Bosch, and Samsung.
The average life expectancy of a dryer is around 10-13 years. And no matter how great your clothes dryer is, all appliances will wear down eventually.
Depending on your dryer model, you may find the thermostat in different areas, such as near the heating element or the blower fan housing. Once you find it, remove the cover, and use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the reading shows an open circuit, then the thermostat needs replacement.
Why is my dryer not getting hot or drying properly? There are several reasons why your dryer may not be drying correctly. Some situations that may cause your dryer to not heat properly include a lack of power, an issue with the size of the load or its wetness, an issue with the heating element or a blown thermal fuse.