Repair or Replace a Dryer: What to Do?

Typically, dryers are made to hum along for ten years or more, tossing clothes and releasing heat like a dependable steam engine. And it typically turns out that way: Dryers aren’t as complicated as washers, after all. They have fewer components and are basic machines.

They still malfunction from time to time. Our 2022 survey data, which represents the experiences of 57,534 dryer owners, also suggests that a variety of issues might arise, with the most frequent complaint being that the dryer just stopped drying. When issues occur, it’s typically preferable for the environment if you attempt to revive your dryer rather than disposing of it in a landfill.

According to the most recent data available from the Environmental Protection Agency, 2.1 million tons of garbage produced by major appliances ended up there in 2018. However, not all problems are solvable, nor do all solvable circumstances make financial sense. What you need to know to sort through the alternatives is as follows.

Factors to Consider Before Deciding

Depending on how old your dryer is and how much repairing it would cost compared to buying a new one, you should decide whether to fix it. For instance, if your electric dryer, which you bought nine years ago for $600, is reaching its limits (you could be doing seven loads a week), it would be worthwhile to get a new one.

Depending on the issue and the expense of correcting it, a repair makes more sense if the equipment is three years old and you spend $1,400 on it.

It makes sense to just fix your equipment if it is still under warranty, which usually expires within a year after purchase. Spend a minute searching for your model on the manufacturer’s website, even if your warranty has expired. In this manner, you may determine whether the issue is associated with a recall and, as a result, qualifies for replacement or parts and service.

Fix it Yourself or Get Professional Help?

While most dryer issues call for a service, others are doable DIY projects. For instance, ensure there isn’t any lint accumulation if you observe that your dryer is running slowly and that your clothing is taking longer to dry. To guarantee adequate airflow, anybody may inspect the exterior ducting and clean the lint screen.

The manufacturer’s website or the handbook that came with your product may provide the answer, depending on the issue. You may find a few helpful how-to videos by Googling for the brand name of your machine together with the issue. When it comes to professional appliance repair services, Appliance Medic frequently rises to the top. Our top notch dryer repair services will slip off any dryer woes you have ever experienced!

Both replacement parts and instructions are available. Be advised that doing your own appliance repair occasionally necessitates having access to specific components and equipment that are normally only available via authorized distributors.

Not sure what’s causing the issue? If the troubleshooting portion of a product handbook isn’t very helpful, try our customer support. You can find forums from other dryer owners who are experiencing the same issue as well as suggestions for fixing the problem by searching the internet with the brand name of your dryer and the issue you’re having.

For instance, our survey participants were more likely to mention Bosch, GE, and LG compact dryers for tangled clothing, Frigidaire gas and electric dryers for door problems, and Samsung gas and electric dryers for drum issues when compared to how they reported dryer problems for other manufacturers. Bosch was also criticized for the inadequate drying of textiles.

Once the problem has been stated, using the right search phrases should yield pertinent results. You’ll need to locate a professional if the problem seems too complicated to solve on your own or if it continues to be mysterious.

Finding a Long Lasting Dryer for your Clothes

Eventually, any clothes dryer will do the task. Eventually might not be enough, though, if you’re rushing through several loads of laundry or otherwise preoccupied. Naturally, everyone would prefer a speedy and effective dryer that doesn’t increase their electricity costs or make them feel like prisoners in a laundry that takes forever to finish a quarter.

How to Test a Cloth Dryer?

Usually a dryer testing by professionals entails running loads of laundry of various weights and materials to determine how effectively each dryer performs its function. Effective dryers that break down quickly aren’t good dryers. It’s crucial to think about which dryer brand is the most dependable because of this.

• Choose the most suitable setting and keep track of the time it takes to dry each load.
• The dryer is then set to the lowest dryness setting to see if the garments come out wet. Why? Some people like ironing wet cotton garments. In order to see if the machine can dry clothes as quickly as possible without subjecting it to excessive temperatures, set it to its maximum dryness level.
• Assess the ergonomics and controls of each laundry machine to determine how convenient it is to load and unload.
• As an average-sized load is dried, evaluate the dryer’s noise level as well.

Also Read: TROUBLESHOOTING SAMSUNG DRYER NOT STARTING: WHAT TO DO

How Long Do Dryers Last?

Since a clothes dryer is an expensive appliance, you should pick one that will endure and take precautions to extend its lifespan.

• After every load, clean the lint screen in the dryer. The dryer must run longer due to a blocked lint trap, which increases equipment wear and tear.
• Every three to six months, clean the dryer vent. Clogged dryer vents require more energy and lengthen drying times; at worse, they can start a fire. You may employ a dryer vent cleaning service if you don’t feel comfortable cleaning the vent yourself.
• Avoid packing your dryer too full. In addition to making the drying process take longer, overstuffing shortens the machine’s lifespan.
• Invest in a moisture-sensing dryer. Unlike the scheduled dry cycle, which runs for a set period of time regardless of whether your clothes are dry or not, this function will turn off the dryer when it senses that your garments are dry.