Repair or Replace Your Dryer: A Straight Answer
$100-$350 avg repair vs $500-$1,200 new β’ $59 diagnostic β FREE with repair
What Our Customers Say
"I am so happy with the services provided by TruePro Home Services! I have a very old oven that I truly believed would need to be replaced. But, Yury came on time, diagnosed the issues, and had the parts with him to do the repair the same day. My oven is now in perfect working order. Highly recommend!"
Jill W.
Thousand Oaks
"Our LG Front Loading washer wasn't draining. I contacted Simon the next day. He had the part on his truck and came by within 30 minutes, and had it up and running super fast! Thank you Simon for your punctuality, honesty and great value. See you next time!"
Julia M.
Oxnard
"Wonderful and top notched care! They were able to meet my same day expectation to get a washer and dryer hooked up in a new house. He was attentive, thoughtful and explained it all as well. I would highly recommend their service!"
Aleema B.
Simi Valley
Dryers are mechanically simpler than most major appliances. A heating element, a motor, a drum, and a blower β that is most of the machine. This simplicity makes dryers more repair-friendly than washers or fridges. A $150 heating element swap almost always beats buying a $700 replacement. But a burned-out motor on a 12-year-old dryer changes the equation.
Gas dryers tend to last a year or two longer than electric models. Simple mechanical timers outlast electronic controls. The most common failure point is the heating element on electric dryers or the gas valve solenoid on gas models β both are affordable repairs that extend life significantly.
The 50% Rule
The 50% rule works well for dryers because the repair-to-replacement cost ratio is usually favorable. Most dryer repairs fall in the $100-$250 range, and new dryers cost $500-$1,200. That means most repairs are well under the 50% line.
Real Example
Your electric dryer needs a new heating element. Cost: $150 installed. A new dryer costs $600. That is 25% β an easy repair decision even on a 10-year-old unit. Now compare: a motor replacement at $350 on that same 10-year-old dryer is 58%. Replace it.
Common Repairs & Verdicts
| Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| Heating element (electric) | $100-$200 |
| Thermal fuse | $75-$150 |
| Drum rollers and belt | $150-$250 |
| Gas valve solenoid | $100-$200 |
| Drive motor replacement | $250-$400 |
| Control board replacement | $200-$400 |
| Drum bearing / glide replacement | $150-$300 |
When to Repair vs. Replace
Signs to Repair
The repair is under $200
Most dryer repairs are inexpensive relative to replacement cost. Heating elements, thermal fuses, belts, and rollers are cheap parts with simple labor.
The dryer heats but does not tumble (or vice versa)
This usually points to one failed component β a belt, motor coupler, or heating element. Single-component failures are textbook repair candidates.
The unit is under 8 years old
A dryer in its first 8 years has plenty of life left. Nearly any single repair makes sense at this age.
It is a gas dryer and you want to keep gas
If your laundry room is set up for gas and you prefer gas, repairing avoids the hassle and cost of matching fuel type on a new unit.
Signs to Replace
The motor has failed on a dryer over 10 years old
Motor replacement runs $250-$400 installed. On a dryer past its expected lifespan, other components are likely to follow. That $350 motor job gets followed by a $200 bearing failure six months later.
The drum is cracked or heavily damaged
Drum replacement is expensive and rarely makes economic sense. If the drum is physically damaged, the dryer is done.
You smell burning during operation after cleaning the vent
If the vent is clear and you still smell burning, internal wiring or the motor is failing. On older units, this is a safety and a financial concern.
Multiple components have failed in the past year
A thermal fuse, then a belt, then drum rollers β cascading failures mean the machine is aging out. Stop putting money into it.
Brand-Specific Advice
Repair in almost all cases. Miele and Speed Queen dryers are built for 15-20+ years. A $350 repair on a 10-year-old unit still leaves a decade of potential life. Parts are readily available and the build quality supports major repairs.
Repair if under 7 years and the cost stays below $300. These dryers cost $600-$1,000 new. Heating elements, belts, and rollers are easy calls at any age. Control boards past 8 years β weigh carefully against replacement.
Repair if the fix is under $150 and the dryer is under 5 years old. These dryers cost $400-$600 new. A $250 motor replacement on a 7-year-old budget dryer is throwing good money after bad.
Energy Efficiency Reality Check
Modern dryers with heat pump technology use 28% less energy than conventional models, saving about $30-$50 per year. Standard vented dryers have not changed much in efficiency over the past decade. Unless you are switching to a heat pump dryer, the energy savings alone are not a reason to replace.
How TruePro Helps You Decide
TruePro's $59 diagnostic identifies exactly what failed and what it will cost to fix. That fee gets credited toward the repair. We give you a written quote with no hidden fees. If replacing makes more sense, we say so β you pay only the diagnostic and make an informed choice.
Repair or Replace Dryer β FAQ
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