 Your dryer’s main job is to heat your clothes enough that they dry. When it stops doing this simple task, that’s a major problem. If your clothes are still damp after a cycle in the dryer, you probably have a faulty heating element. Show
The average cost to replace a heating element in a dryer is $250. Homeowners can replace their heating element for $65 if they buy the part. Professionals charge an average of $140 in labor costs to remove an old heating element and install a new one. In this article, we will talk more about the cost of a heating element for your dryer, as well as how to tell if yours is faulty and how you can replace it. Let’s get started! Do You Need Appliance Repair Services? Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. FIND LOCAL CONTRACTORS Cost For A Dryer Heating ElementThe overall price can vary based on your dryer brand, but the heating element itself costs an average of $30-$100. This price can fluctuate based on the demand for the heating element at the time you need it. Plus, the age of your dryer also plays a factor in how much you will spend. If you plan to use a professional to install the heating element, this can cost as much as the part itself. Using a pro can add another $80 to $200 onto your final total. Here is a quick look at what you can expect to pay for a heating element for some of the more popular brands:
What Is The Job Of Your Heating Element?In an electric dryer, there is a fan that pulls air into the dryer. The air then moves through the coiled wire heating element where it is heated. The freshly heated air moves into the tumbler where it dries your wet clothes. Gas dryers use a heating element known as an igniter to dry clothes. The igniter lights the gas inside a combustion tube to create heat for the dryer. Once this igniter burns out, the dryer can continue to tumble without heat. Over time, heating elements can weaken with use. A faulty heating element or igniter can leave your clothes damp for hours. It’s important to replace this element to save you the headache of dealing with wet clothes after a drying cycle. How To Check If Your Heating Element Is FaultyIf your clothes are damp after a drying cycle, it is important to determine the cause. It is likely that something is wrong with the heating element. All you will need for this task is a screwdriver and blanket or towel. To determine if you need to replace the heating element, follow these steps:
How To Replace The Heating Element In Your DryerOnce you have determined that your heating element is broken, it’s time to replace it. Don’t call a professional just yet. Replacing your dryer’s heating element is a quick and easy DIY project. Tools You’ll Need
Step 1: Purchase A New Heating ElementBefore you buy a new heating element, make sure you know exactly what kind you need. Heating elements vary based on the dryer brand. If you have a higher-end dryer, you’ll likely be paying a bit more for a new heating element. Heating elements can be purchased at your local hardware store, Amazon, or even Walmart for between $30 and $100. Step 2: Shut Off Your DryerUnplug your dryer from its power source. Be sure to do this step before any others, so you don’t get shocked or electrocuted. Step 3: Disconnect The Wires From The Heating ElementRemove the screws from the back panel of the dryer. Once the screws have been removed, take the back panel off the dryer. After removing the back panel, it should be easy to locate the heating element. It will be near the bottom of the dryer, and there will be wires leading to it. Take a photo of the heating element to have a reference image for the wires when connecting the new element. Pull the wires off of the heating element. If they appear stuck, utilize a slot screwdriver to pull the wires off of the spade connectors. Step 4: Remove The Heating ElementOnce you have disconnected the heating element from the wires, remove any screws holding it inside the dryer. Pull the heating element out of the dryer. Step 5: Add The New Heating ElementInsert the new heating element into the dryer. Line it up with the screw holes and reattach. Make sure the new heating element is attached firmly by tightening the screws well. Step 6: Reconnect The WiresUtilizing the reference image you took in step 4, attach the wires to the new heating element. Note: If you are unsure of your ability to attach the wires properly, this is likely the job for a technician. Step 7: Reconnect The DryerLine the back panel up with the screw holes. Reattach the back panel by tightening the screws to ensure a tight fit. Plug the dryer back into its power source. If your clothes are dry after the next drying cycle, you’ve successfully replaced your heating element. Other Reasons Your Dryer May Not Be HeatingIf you’ve inspected your dryer’s heating element and it seems fine, something else may be the cause of your wet clothes. The following are a few other reasons your dryer may not be heating other than a faulty heating element:
Does My Warranty Cover A Faulty Heating Element?Before you jump to replace your faulty heating element, check your dryer’s warranty. Many appliances come with a warranty when purchased. These warranties can vary greatly between dryer brands, ranging from one to ten years. Check to see if your dryer has a warranty by looking at the manual or any paperwork that came with it. If you’ve misplaced any paperwork that came with your dryer, contact the retailer. They may be able to find the information on your purchase and warranty. Don’t do anything with your heating element until you check the status of your warranty. If your dryer is still under warranty, this can save you the cost of repairing the dryer. However, if you work on the dryer yourself, this will likely void your warranty. You’ll have to shell out your own money to repair the dryer! Do You Need Appliance Repair Services? Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. FIND LOCAL CONTRACTORS Related QuestionsIs it worth replacing the heating element in your dryer?Replacing the heating element in your dryer will cost between $35 and $100 if you do it yourself. Installation costs from a professional will make this more expensive (almost tripling the cost). However, a new dryer can range anywhere from $400 to $2,000. It will save you money to replace the heating element in your dryer instead of buying a new one. However, if the broken heating element is one of many problems, it may be wiser to buy a new dryer. What causes a heating element in a dryer to go bad?A heating element is an uninsulated coil. The heating element will deteriorate with each use, weakening with age. Eventually, once the heating element is too old and gets too hot, it will burn out.
Stacy Randall Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent’s former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way. Recently Published
How To Match A Backsplash To A Countertop Designing the perfect kitchen involves considering many elements. From light fixtures to appliances and cabinets to countertops, there are all sorts of decisions to make in order to have a balanced... How hard is it to replace an electric heating element in a dryer?Replacing it isn't a difficult task, but it does involve removing the back cover of the dryer. Before you do that, you have to be very sure that the power is off. Before replacing the element, check the continuity of the thermal fuse, because if it's blown, you probably won't have to replace the element.
Can I replace my dryer myself?When you buy a new dryer, you can usually pay a small fee to have it delivered and hooked up. But you can also undertake installation yourself. The job is quite simple if the laundry area is already set up for the machine.
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Can I replace the heating element in my dryer myself?
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