Shopping for a new clothes dryer is the last thing on your mind when you need one. You have to wade through all kinds of different options, and there’s that nagging guilt about using it instead of drying them outside like generations before we used to do. And then, once you find something good enough, who wants another appliance taking up space? It might seem like an easy task, but we always forget how much work goes into making this small purchase happen! Dryer repair is an often ignored yet important aspect of maintaining your home. After all, you can’t dry clothes without a working machine!
4 Key Factors - Repair Or Replace
- Cost
- Age
- Life Expectancy Of The Dryer
- Energy Efficiency
1. Cost of Repair vs Cost to Replace
You may need to consider whether you want your dryer repaired or replaced. If the repair costs are more than half of the replacement cost, it’s time for a new appliance–if not sooner! A basic dryer will run around \$400 and is Energy Star rated so that utility savings can be significant. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that someone reliable has serviced your clothes care needs; they’re in good hands with an expert who knows what he/she’s doing when fixing up appliances like yours.
2. Age Of The Clothes Dryer
The makers of dryers have been making them more efficient for the past fifteen years. The EPA only started certifying a select few models as Energy Star worthy in 2015, so if you bought your appliance between 2013 and now, it’s probably more energy-efficient than one that was purchased before 2005. Parts availability begins to diminish over time as well – so the cost of repair or replacement parts might be high, and finding them could be very difficult for older units.
3. Life Expectancy Of The Clothes Dryer
The average electric dryer should last about 14 years. The average gas dryer is a little less durable, lasting about 13 years. If you’re approaching your electric or gas-powered appliance’s lifespan and repairing it for $75 will buy another year or two of usage from the machine, then, by all means, get that fix done! This buys you some extra time to research other options in both price range and level of energy efficiency before making any final decisions on what types of appliances are best suited for your needs in the future.
4. Energy Efficiency
Do you have an energy-efficient dryer? If the answer is “yes,” then look at this list to see if your appliance has some of these features.
Some of the most common and important things you can do to make dryers more energy-efficient are: · The right size for your load – don’t overload it! · Overlap clothes in each drying cycle to allow heat to reach all areas · Clean or replace lint filters before use; clean them after every time they’re used.
If repairing your dryer will cost more than 50% of the cost of a new one – or your dryer is over 10 years old – it may be time to consider a replacement.
