Homeowners have come a long way from having to dry clothes with hanging lines. Over the years, drying machines have been improving more and more. But the fact remains, if your dryer breaks down, you’ll have to either replace or repair it. Fortunately, depending on the issue that the dryer is facing, you can figure out the costs of how much you’ll have to spend to fix the appliance.
There are two kinds of dryer units you probably own. There is the electric dryer and the gas dryer. Depending on the kind of dryer you have installed in your laundry room, the repair costs will fluctuate.
The most common issues your dryer will potentially face are clogged vents, bad thermal fuses, faulty thermostats, non-working temperature switches, broken belts, malfunctioning motors, and faulty start switches. The minor issues that will be less costly involve doors and bearings.
The average cost to repair your drying machine could possibly range anywhere from $70 to $200, depending on the area you live in. On the low-end, where the part that is damaged is of minimal cost, you’ll only have to spend about possibly even $50. Meanwhile, on the higher-end, where the part that is damaged is of maximum cost, you might have the possibility of spending about $450 instead.
A mild case of your dryer breaking down would be something like a faulty door latch, but the more severe case of damage would be something like a completely broken motor. Other than the part that might be broken or damaged, you should also focus on the kind of dryer you own. Whether your appliance is powered by gas or by electricity, the costs will differ depending on those two variables.
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History of the Drying Machine
Before we get into the nitty gritty details of how to repair your dryer and how much the repairs will cost, let’s discuss how far the drying machine has come from whence it originated. In the years before appliances became a common household necessity, there were the earlier incarnations that held the same concepts and same ruminations.
In the early 18th century, originally before the drying machine, there were devices called ventilators. Using a hand crank attached to a metal tub, Europeans would spin their clothes over a fire to dry their clothes. However, once the device came to America, people complained that their clothes smelled like smoke.
During the formative years of the early 20th century, however, an inventor by the name of J. Ross Moore came to the scene by inventing the first automated electric dryer. In the cold winters, Moore was tasked with hanging his clothes out but due to the freezing temperatures he had to endure, he decided to hang his clothes in front of his stove indoors.
Eventually, he formulated a better thought. From a simple unwanted chore, Moore invented both the gas powered dryer and the electric powered dryer. Throughout the duration of three decades, the inventor struggled to find someone to help with manufacturing. But once he found the right people to assist him, the drying machine became a world-changing appliance and invention.
| Dryer Type | Average Range of Cost | Difference for Heating | Average Cost Range of Repair |
| Gas Dryer | $100-$450 | Heating Element | $100-$250 |
| Electric Dryer | $50-$450 | Igniter | $100-$350 |
Gas Dryer Repair Cost
One of the main appliances used to dry your clothes is the gas-powered dryer. In a previous article written by House Tipster, we discussed how to install the gas-powered drying machine. Now that your dryer is damaged, we can discuss how to repair it instead. On average, the gas dryer repairs will range in costs by about $100 to $450. The parts of both models are similar but the way they dry clothes is different. Gas dryers use natural gas or propane for its heat.
Electric Dryer Repair Cost
The convenience in repairing an electric dryer is that they cost less to repair, but running them will often incur costlier expenses. The average range in costs to deal with repairs will most likely be about $50 to $400. The difference with electric dryers is that they use metal heating coils to generate heat.
Cost to Replace Heating Element in Electric Dryer
A damaged heating element in any drying machine, whether gas or electric, can be the cause of why your dryer isn’t warming up or why there is no heat when using the appliance. Either it is the heating element that is faulty or it is your thermostat that is affecting the temperature of your drying machine. The average cost range to replace a heating element will cost about $150 to $350. Hiring a dryer repair technician will probably cost you around $100 to $350.
There is a huge selection of different heating elements to choose from but that all depends on the kind of unit you currently own. However, they all have the same kind of arrangements inside their appliances. The natural gas dryers use the igniter or a gas burner, while the electric dryers use a heating element or a coil.
Any model of heating element is meant to be strung with a coiled wire made up of two alloys: nickel and chrome. Before making any kinds of repairs, the technician will already know this, but if you’re attempting to replace the element yourself, you will need to unplug your appliance. If you know what you’re doing, then you can replace the heating element yourself and it’ll only cost you around $35 to $100. But be wary, doing these kinds of repairs will be a danger to you and may cause further damages.
Cost to Replace Igniter in Gas Dryer
Unlike the coil that electric dryers need to maintain drying operations, the gas dryer utilizes the igniter which lights up gas to power the appliance. Replacement of an igniter will cost about $100 to $250.
A white hot glow ignites and lights the gas inside your appliance but if the igniter breaks, the heat will malfunction. To replace the igniter takes some experience and will take about an hour to correct. For such a process, it’d be best to contact a repair technician to assist you.
Other than the igniter and the heating element, there is no difference between your gas and electric dryer. Every other part in this article will need the same kinds of repairs and replacements. But keep in mind that there are different brands, makes, and models for whatever kind of dryer you’re thinking of owning.
| Knob | $50 to $75 |
| Dryer Drum | $300 to $450 |
| Belt | $100 to $200 |
Knob
Most likely, this will be the most inexpensive part to worry about it. Knobs averagely cost about $50 to $75. And depending on the kind of unit you own and need to repair, the knobs that you need replaced will probably only take about half an hour to fix.
Dryer Drum
Since the first iteration of the dryer, even ventilators have employed the usage of a drum-like shape. As previously mentioned above, the ventilator was once designed as a tub with a crank attached above. Today’s dryers carry the same concept of turning a circular shaped part to rapidly spin the clothes until the drying process is executed.
Specialists and technicians will tell you that the dryer drum is referred to as a self-contained machine. It is practically the biggest part inside your appliance. Carrying a standard drum will likely require you to lift at least 20 pounds of weight, but they are quite large in arms length. The average cost range for a replacement of your drum will be around $300 to $450, while a repair will cost you around $100 to $450.
Belt
Replacing your dryer belt will most likely average into $100 to $200. And repairing your dryer belt will most likely average into $150 to $250. Within the inner workings of your electric or gas powered unit, there is a belt that loops around your appliance to ensure the activation and regulation of your motor. Without the belt, the motor will discontinue running, turning your dryer into a useless husk.
This kind of task of replacing your belt is very simple to do and much cheaper than hiring a specialist. To purchase a new dryer only costs about $10 to $20. Most likely, the problems that a damaged belt will cause is noise. If you hear a thumping sound or a consistent banging, the noise will be coming from a broken belt. Encountering any kind of sounds will require fixing your belt, so if you hear something while you use your dryer, the first thing to check is your belt.
| Filter | $50 to $75 |
| Thermostat | $100 to $200 |
| Timer | $150 to $300 |
| Bearing | $100 to $250 |
| Motor | $250 to $450 |
Filter
Like any kind of device or application that needs a flow, there will always be a filter that needs to be included. The average cost of replacing your filter will be about $50 to $75. The ventilation systems that will be installed in your dryer will require a filter to clean up all that lint trapped in the ducts.
Thermostat
Major appliances with heat and cooling controls will always come with a thermostat, whether it’s your refrigerator or your air conditioning unit, a thermostat measures and regulates the temperature needed to make your appliance function properly.
The replacement cost range for a thermostat is about $100 to $200. A damaged thermostat is a fire hazard so if you don’t check the condition of your thermostat on a regular basis. It will potentially cause a minor inconvenience like your clothes getting too hot, or potentially break out a fire in your laundry room.
Image by Erika Wittlieb from Pixabay
Timer
A timer for a drying machine is crucial. Without it, your drying cycle will continuously run without any indication of stopping without a timer to cease operations. The average cost to replace and repair the timer will range from $150 to $300. The correct measurement of time is required for your drying cycles to track how long the cycle needs to last.
Bearing
Electromagnetic energy is converted into mechanical energy to generate friction between the motor and the drum to add heat into your dryer. So what is the purpose of the bearings? Your dryer bearings are little beads that are fitted in a small pulley and the dryer drum. Lubrication is applied to all these parts involved and thus, the mechanical process works in unison. The average cost of repairing and replacing your bearings will range around $100 to $250.
Although your belt will cause a thumping or banging sound if it is broken or damaged, your bearings will likely cause a squealing sound to signal faultiness. If there is a squealing sound, that is a sign that your bearings are lacking in lubrication.
Another sound that a damaged bearing will cause is buzzing. If your dryer starts up but the motor just suddenly peters out, you’re most likely going to be dealing with the complications involving your bearings and your motor. One cannot work without the other, this is a sign that your motor has power but the bearings aren’t enabling the pulley to oscillate.
Motor
When your car’s engine stops running, you’ll probably be anticipating the usage of a car service or preparing to take a taxi every day until your engine is fixed. That’s a pretty obvious expectation, isn’t it? The motor is your dryer’s engine, it helps your machine to move, it is essential for your dryer to function.
On average, the estimate to replace your motor will cost around $250 to $450. As stated from the section above, since your motor and your dryer are synchronically working together, it’s best to replace both your motor and your bearings. Repairing and replacing your motor requires some knowledge and skill. Even with a professional, the process can take up to an hour and half.
Dryer Ventilation Costs
Every dryer you install or will install requires ventilation. The heat of the dryer will cause a fire if it rises too much. Materials like vinyl or metal tubing is what the ducts are usually made of. What leads ventilation to be replaced is the rigid design. Although the ridges required are what standardly shapes the vents, the ducts end up trapping lint.
Lint is what causes fires to erupt, however, with the right kind of ventilation, drying machines have little to no risk of bursting into flames. The reason why dryer ducts are shaped with rigid or semi-rigid surfaces is because they provide the airflow necessary for all that heat to consistently be expelled.
On average, the ventilation repairs will cost around $150 to $250. Slim ducts will, in all likelihood, average into $185, while a semi-rigid duct will average into $200. A rigid duct will average into about $300. Knowing and understanding the layout of your home will make this job much easier so try to figure out where you’re going to replace your ventilation. Whether the ventilation is being relocated or replaced in the same location, knowing this will matter when the job is performed.
Slim Duct
The slim ducts are rectangular shaped and are purposefully designed to fit in tight spaces. Also known as the periscope duct, the slim duct is meant to allow your dryer to be pushed close to your home’s wall. Adjustments are also adaptable between 27 inches to 48 inches long, while also with the option of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal installations.
Semi-Rigid Duct
Almost resembling the rigid ducts, the semi-rigid metal is flexible. Typically installed with clamps, these kinds of ducts are not meant to be concealed inside the walls or the floors. The reason as to why you shouldn’t conceal these ducts is because you will probably be fined for doing so by your local municipality.
Rigid Duct
The rigid shapes of your ducts are meant for your home’s interior, meaning you may install the ventilations inside your walls, floors, and any other areas where you ducts will not be fully visible. The materials that make up these kinds of ducts are either aluminum or galvanized steel. Out of the three choices of ducts available for you, rigid ducts will have the least possible chance of trapping lint, however, this does not mean that your lint will not accumulate.
Dryer Replacement Cost
Any electric or gas dryer that you need replaced will, in all likelihood, measure into six cubic feet for your home’s capacity. There are other standards that every dryer must maintain and will consist of dials, temperature settings, and timing features. The average cost for a new electric dryer unit ranges between $200 and $400. And the average cost for a new gas dryer unit will cost about $800 to $1200.
There are many retailers that hold a wide assortment of different dryers, all of them available to homeowners and customers nationwide. The differences in pricing amongst the other dryers can come from the wide-ranging expenses and the selection of sizes. A standard dryer can have varying features like the capacity of how much clothes it can hold and the additional cycles it will offer. Although, there are also smaller options for homeowners, like compact dryer units that are smaller and are 24 inches in width. That is practically half the capacity and very convenient for homeowners that don’t have as much space as other properties.
An advantage that compact dryers have is that they are also ventless. But although you save from the costs of the overall amount of loads you’ll need to do, you’ll have to confront increased upfront costs and you’ll have less space for loads in a compact dryer.
Hiring a Professional or Professionals Through House Tipster
Your drying machine will eventually need a repair done, and it will inevitably give homeowners a migraine, constantly wondering what to do. Just thinking about the mountain of wet clothes you won’t be able to dry would give any person a headache. You’d probably have to find a local laundromat to get your Sunday chores done.
But before you even consider making a purchase of the newest model, you should research and understand what goes into the replacement or repair process. Safety and costs are the first things to remember pertaining to all of your installations.
The ongoing search for information and trying to find the right kind of professional can be easily achieved through House Tipster. This site is a one-stop shop for both research on home renovations and estimates by local experts. Consider hiring a professional through our site, within the comfort of your home.
Check out House Tipster, and find the perfect pro for your home repair needs. How Much Does Drying Machine Repair Cost? Find out from professionals in your area.
