Should I Repair or Replace My Dryer?

Short answerCompare the dryer's age with its average life. Sources put it at about 13 to 14 years, so, as our rule of thumb, a younger machine with one failed part favors repair, and an older one with repeat problems or a costly repair favors replacing it. Our repair estimate is on this page.

What this costs

Our national estimates, not quotes.
Option	Job	Low	High
Repair	Appliance Repair	$90	$460

Our rule of thumb

No source sets these age bands. This is our own rule of thumb, derived from the lifespan figures in NAHB's 2007 study and from the Department of Energy, which put average life at about 13 to 14 years.

Younger than the low end of that range, with one problem: lean toward repair.
Inside the range, with a minor problem: it could go either way, so get an estimate first.
At or past the high end, or with repeat problems: lean toward replacement.

If you do replace it

ENERGY STAR says certified electric dryers are about 20% more energy efficient than standard models, and certified gas dryers about 18%. Any work on a gas dryer's gas line is a job for a professional.

Run the numbers

Our repair estimate is on this page. Get a quote for a replacement and compare the two.

Dryer Not Heating? Safe Checks Before You Call

Common questions

Is a dryer that stopped heating worth fixing?

Often, on a younger dryer. See our guide on a dryer that won't heat for what to check first.

Should I fix a 10-year-old dryer?

It is younger than the 13 to 14 year average, so one repair can be reasonable. If it's a costly repair or the latest of several, compare it against a new one.