There is nothing worse than opening up your dryer to find that your clothes are just as wet as they were when you threw them in there to dry. If you find yourself sitting there wondering why your dryer is not getting hot – this comprehensive guide could be the answer to your problems. But if not, the experts at Fix Repair are always happy to help. The typical reasons for electric or gas dryers are not producing heat are tripped circuit breaker, clogged vents, and lack of gas flow. A damaged heating element, a faulty thermal fuse, broken thermostat, and defective timer motors could also be the explanation as to why your dryer won’t heat.
DRYER VENT IS CLOGGED
A clogged vent is the most common reason for a dryer not to heat. Checking if your ventilation is clogged can be done by starting a timed dry on high heat. Next, head over to the outdoor exhaust vent and use your hand to check if the air is warm and flowing at a adequate rate. If you’re noticing little to no air flow, your venting likely needs to be cleaned or replaced. If the temperature of the air is cool, this could mean an operational issue with your dryer.
IMPROPER OR NO ELECTRIC OR GAS SUPPLY TO THE DRYER
Improper power supply could be a reason why you find your dryer not heating. Electric dryers operate on a pair of 120v breakers – one to run the motor that turns the drum, and one to power the heating element. These breakers can trip independently depending on how the panel was wired. If you are using a gas dryer, making sure you are up to date with your gas bill is a great start. Check to ensure the gas valve is on and that the appliance gas line is the proper size.
CLOGGED LINT SCREEN
A clogged or especially dirty lint trap will also reduce airflow and prevent clothes from drying properly. Remove as much excess lint as you can and then try soaking the screen in a solution of hot water and dish soap. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the screen clean is also a good tip.
UNEVEN LOADS
An uneven load could also lead to improper washer and dryer performances. If you are mixing large and small items together when doing laundry, this might be the issue for moist clothing. It is best to wash and dry like-sized items together to optimize the machine’s performance. This rings especially true when using the automatic dry cycle. Washing towels and bedding together can cause the dryer to heat at a lower level and even sometimes shut off, assuming the job is done.
WASHER LEAVING CLOTHES TOO WET
Your dryer might not even be the culprit when it comes to diagnosing why your clothes are still wet. The issue could be your washing machine. If your washer isn’t draining completely or if it is not spinning enough water out of the load, it will be harder for the dryer to perform as intended.
At the end of the day, the question as to why your clothes are still wet is less important than finding a solution to your problem, as in-house laundry has become more or less expected in this day and age. If you find yourself dealing with a dryer that isn’t preforming to your expectations and are sitting there scratching your head asking why is my dryer not getting hot, call the experts at Fix Repair today!
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