Having a functioning washing machine and dryer is essential for access to clean, dry clothes, which prevents laundry from piling up and helps your home run smoothly. Whether your dryer is fairly new or you’ve had it for years, a breakdown occurring can be unpleasant. Dryers can only handle so much wear and tear until they start to have issues functioning optimally. Fortunately, proper care and maintenance can help your dryer last longer. Here, we share more about extending the lifespan of your dryer and how to troubleshoot common problems.
So, how long does a dryer last?
With a dryer, it’s helpful to know how many years you can expect out of it. The average lifespan of a dryer is about 13 years, according to Consumer Reports. The shorter end of the lifespan is around 8 years, while the maximum time you can expect a dryer to last is 25 years. Generally, it will fall somewhere in between the two.
If you purchased your dryer yourself, it’s easy to know the amount of time you’ve had it for. However, if you moved into a house with an existing dryer, you may not know how old it is. To determine the age of the dryer, you can look at the serial number. It is typically found on the side or bottom of the dryer. The first few characters of the serial number generally indicate the month and year that it was manufactured. You simply have to go to the manufacturer’s website to compare the characters and determine the dryer’s age. This lets you get a gist of how long it has left in its lifespan.
How to lengthen a dryer’s lifespan
Dryers, and other appliances, don’t last forever. Breakdowns and dryer issues can put a dent in your daily routine and make you have to result to air-drying your clothes, which takes a lot longer. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to lengthen your dryer’s lifespan. They include:
Check the manual
One of the first things to do when trying to prolong your dryer’s lifespan is to read through the owner’s manual. This helps you learn the peculiarities of your particular machine, including how the settings work and how to use them appropriately. If you just assume that all you have to do is throw clothes in and press start, you can be putting unnecessary stress on the machine, which can lead to a shorter lifespan.
If you purchased your dryer yourself, you should have the user manual that provides these instructions and information. If you inherited the dryer when you bought a house or have misplaced the manual, you can go to the manufacturer’s website to find it. Simply find the model number on your dryer and enter it into the website’s support or manual section. This will bring up a digital version of the manual for you to access.
Lighten the load
Another important step to take to help your dryer function at its best is to lighten the loads you put in. You don’t want to overwork the machine, which can cause more wear and tear and even decrease the lifespan. Overloading it can also prevent your laundry from fully drying. Airflow is needed to prevent the machine from becoming overworked and ineffective.
To create space for airflow and keep your machine working at the right level, put in smaller loads and group fabrics by weight when organizing them. Put lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen and polyester together in one load, and heavier materials like canvas, denim and corduroy in another.
Remove lint
Most people know to empty the dryer’s lint trap after every load, but they may not be aware of how it can affect the dryer’s lifespan. Not only can lint buildup be dangerous and lead to fires, but it can also lead to inefficiencies within the dryer itself and decrease its overall lifespan. These can lead to longer dry times and force you to run multiple dry cycles to fully eliminate dampness.
The lint trap is generally located inside the dryer door near the front of the drum. However, for top-load models, the lint trap may be on the top panel in front of the controls. You have to pull the tab or latch to release the trap and empty the lint.
Keep the dryer clean
Another tip to maintain your dryer’s effectiveness and extend its lifespan is to keep the dryer clean. Along with cleaning out the lint trap after every use, you should also check the back of the machine and the vent at least once a year to remove built-up dust and lint. Removing dust and lint helps make the machine work more effectively. Built-up lint is considered a fire hazard because the material is highly flammable and can easily ignite if it is exposed to heat. Therefore, removing it and cleaning the entire machine routinely also offers safety and peace of mind.
The dryer vent refers to the tube or hose that connects the dryer to the outside vent, so hot air and lint can escape. To clean the vent, you should:
- Locate the vent itself (typically found at the back of the dryer), plus the dryer exhaust vent outside your home
- Unplug the dryer and move it away from the wall
- Remove the dryer duct from the back of the dryer, which may require a screwdriver
- Put on safety gloves and remove lint buildup from the hole at the back of the dryer
- To reach the inside of the dryer duct, use a vacuum with a hose attachment
- Go outside your house and take off the exterior vent cover
- Clean the dryer vent from the outside using a vacuum or use a dryer vent cleaning brush kit of the appropriate length
- Reattach the ductwork and vent cover, push your dryer back into place and plug it in
Reduce heat and time for loads
Help keep your dryer functioning efficiently for longer by reducing the heat level and time for loads. Different fabrics require different heats, so you want to make sure you’re using the appropriate level. Fabrics that require low heat include lightweight cotton, silk, lace, linen, polyester, wool and cashmere. Fabrics that can handle higher heat are heavy cotton items like towels and sweatshirts, as well as denim. However, you should always read the care label for specific instructions.
Along with reducing the heat level, you should also adjust the dryer time for different loads. Different amounts of clothing and types of fabric require varying dry times. You can also save energy by using a shorter, cooler cycle and then checking the clothes for dampness. If they’re still wet or damp, you can continue in 10-minute increments until they’re dry.
Use the moisture sensor settings
Using the moisture sensor settings on your dryer can also help to expand its life. Not all dryers have moisture sensors, but most modern dryers have them to automatically detect when clothes are dry. The sensor then shuts the machine off when the laundry is adequately dry, avoiding excess drying that can overwork the dryer.
Over time, moisture sensors can collect build-up from fabric softeners, lint and dryer sheets, making them less effective. Checking and cleaning the sensors around once a month helps keep them working efficiently. To do so, first locate the sensors using the user manual. They are often located inside the drum, near the lint filter, and look like metal strips. Then, follow these steps:
- Turn off and unplug the dryer
- Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down the sensors
- For tougher residue, you can dampen the cloth lightly with warm water and dish soap or isopropyl alcohol
- Gently scrub the sensors to remove the residue
- Rinse the cloth and wipe them down again to remove any leftover soap
- Dry the sensors thoroughly with a cloth or let the alcohol air dry
- Plug the dryer back in and run a small load to test the effectiveness of the sensors
Consider air-drying on occasion
A final way to lengthen the lifespan of your dryer is simply by giving it a break once in a while. Instead of using your dryer to dry every load of clothes or towels, consider air-drying occasionally. Hanging up certain items on a clothesline can not only prolong the life of your clothes, but it will also expand the lifespan of your dryer.
Signs it’s time to replace your dryer
If you’ve taken steps to increase your dryer’s life, but it’s still having problems, you may need to pursue a repair or replacement. If you’re not sure whether you simply need a repair or require a replacement, consider these factors:
Clothes aren’t dry, or it’s taking too long to dry them
Dryers are meant to dry clothes, typically in one cycle. If you consistently notice that a full cycle isn’t drying your clothes completely, it may be a sign of a dying appliance. Not only can doing multiple cycles for the same load indicate an inefficient machine, but it can also drive up energy bills. You don’t want a dryer that doesn’t dry and increases your energy costs, so a replacement can be smart.
Dryer is making too much noise
Dryers can occasionally make noise, especially if you’re doing a large load. However, consistently hearing strange noises like clunking, banging, squeaking or grinding could indicate internal mechanical failures. These can impact the effectiveness of the dryer. They may also be quite expensive to repair, which may require replacing the machine.
Dryer is old
Older dryers accumulate more wear and tear than newer ones because of the more use they receive. Even if an older dryer is working fine, by the time it approaches 10 years old, it can start to have issues functioning optimally. Therefore, it may be worth considering a replacement to preempt any problems down the road and avoid the hassle of having to replace it once it breaks down.
Wiring is exposed
If you notice that your dryer has any exposed wiring or have smelled a smoke odor when using it, you should replace the machine promptly. Exposed wires can cause house fires, so take action immediately. If you need to dry clothes before your replacement arrives, consider air-drying your clothes or taking them to a laundromat.
Exhaust is too hot
Another sign it’s time to replace your dryer is if the machine is hot to the touch or the laundry room itself becomes too warm while running the machine. This can mean that the exhaust is too hot, and the dryer may be experiencing a major malfunction. You don’t want to put your family at risk of a fire, so it’s best to pursue a replacement for your existing machine.
Multiple breakdowns
A final sign to consider a replacement dryer is if your existing one has experienced multiple breakdowns. If you have had to call a repairman for your dryer more than once or twice, it may be more cost-effective to replace the machine outright. It can cost around $200 to repair a dryer, and even more, depending on the problem. Therefore, calling a repair professional multiple times can add up and you may be better off purchasing a new machine that you know will work properly.
Troubleshooting tips
If your dryer typically works fine but suddenly experiences an issue, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try before calling a service professional. These quick fixes include:
Inspect the vents and ducts
Airflow is necessary within your dryer and its vents and ducts to allow steam to escape and clothes to dry properly. If your clothes aren’t drying fully, even when you put in smaller loads and use the right settings, you should check the vents and ducts. Make sure that they are unobstructed and not clogged with lint or dust. If they are clogged, remove the build-up from the vents with a cloth and reach the inside of the ducts with a vacuum cleaner attachment or correctly sized vent brush.
Check the drive belt
One of the essential parts of a dryer is the drive belt, which spins the bin or drum to facilitate the drying. If you notice your dryer drum isn’t spinning when it’s powered on, you should first check the drive belt. These belts can wear out or loosen over time, causing a lack of spinning. To determine if the drive belt is broken or malfunctioning, reach into your dryer and turn the drum by hand. If the drum spins without tension, your belt is likely broken. You can also visually check the drive belt to see if it’s broken, but it requires removing the top and front panels. If the belt is broken, you can either attempt a do-it-yourself fix or call a repair professional.
Examine the heating element
Another common dryer problem is when the machine turns on and runs but doesn’t seem to be getting hot enough to dry the clothes. If your dryer isn’t heating up, the heating element could be to blame. The heating element will differ depending on whether your dryer runs on electricity or gas. For electric-powered models, the heating element is a small electric device that’s fairly easy and inexpensive to replace. It typically involves taking the dryer apart to access the heating element and testing it with a voltage meter. If it’s not functioning, you will need to remove and replace it and then reassemble the dryer. Gas-powered models don’t use a heating element but rather gas burners that heat the air. You will have to make sure the dryer is connected to the gas and the shutoff valves are open.
Check the door switch
If your dryer isn’t starting at all, another way to troubleshoot the problem is by checking the door switch. Dryers have switches on the door that prevent them from running when the door is open. The switch, when working properly, completes an electrical circuit when the door is closed, so it can start a drying cycle.
If your dryer isn’t running, examine the door switch, which is found inside the seam around the door itself. If you can shut the door but the dryer still won’t start, the door switch may be faulty. You can try finding the door switch and pressing it down with your finger, then trying to run a cycle. If it works, the problem may be within the angle that the door shuts. If it doesn’t work, you may need a new door switch or potentially a new door.
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is an annual service contract between a homeowner and a warranty company, which provides coverage for repairs and replacements on items in the home. A warranty can cover appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers, built-in home systems like plumbing and heating or a combination of both. Home warranty coverage generally only covers repair costs due to normal wear and tear. It may also offer a replacement if the item cannot be repaired.
These plans provide peace of mind that when a covered item breaks down from routine use, you won’t have to pay for the repair or replacement completely out of your pocket. However, you should be aware that not all repairs or replacements are covered — mechanical components like motors, switches and knobs are typically included in coverage. Non-mechanical and structural parts are not covered, as well as issues resulting from human error, improper installation or repair and failure to perform scheduled maintenance.
Does a home warranty cover a dryer?
If you’ve tried troubleshooting tips and your dryer problem hasn’t been resolved or your dryer has stopped working completely, you may find yourself having to pay out-of-pocket for a repair or replacement. This can be a big expense that puts a dent in your finances. One way to help prevent this from happening is by pursuing a home warranty before it occurs.
If you’re wondering if a home warranty covers repairs and replacements on your dryer, the answer depends on the plan you choose. Most warranty companies have different tiers of service with varying amounts of coverage. Both appliance-only plans and complete home warranty plans cover dryers, but systems-only plans do not. If you’ve previously had issues with your dryer or you expect it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, a home warranty can be a smart choice. Without warranty coverage, you may end up with large repair or replacement bills that can impact your savings or finances, especially if you don’t have an emergency fund.
Consider a home warranty for appliances
A home warranty can be a smart investment for homeowners who want financial protection against the unexpected breakdown of appliances like dryers. These plans can help cover the cost of repairs, or even replacement—when covered appliances stop working due to normal wear and tear.
At Cinch Home Services, you can choose from three flexible plans designed to meet a variety of needs:
- The Repair Only plan covers repairs for major appliances and systems.
- The Repair + Replace plan includes repair coverage along with replacement of covered items when repair isn't possible.
- The Repair + Replace Premier plan adds even more value with coverage enhancements and benefits.
All plans include coverage for dryers, regardless of the age, make or model.
Don’t be left without the appliances and home systems you use daily — invest in a home warranty1 with Cinch. Your dryer and other essential items will be covered, helping you pay for the costs of repairs or replacements. To learn more about our plans and how they can benefit your family, contact us today or get an instant quote now.
The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.
The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
Our blogs and articles may link to third-party sites that offer products, services, coaches, consultants, and/or experts. Any such link is provided for reference only and not intended as an endorsement or statement that the information provided by the other party is accurate. We are not compensated for any products or services purchased from these third-party links.
