If it is taking more than one cycle to dry your clothes, you are wasting a lot of money on electricity and have likely noticed your bill going up. Fortunately, there are some things you can check to determine if this problem can be fixed. Below is some more information to help you get started.
Vent Pipe
Lint can clog up the vent pipe. When this happens, airflow is reduced. The vent pipe may be damaged and have leaks. Lint could also build up inside your dryer which can cause problems with the heater.
Unplug your dryer and pull it out so you have access to the back. Be careful because you need to make sure you do not disconnect the vent by pulling the dryer out too far. The vent is likely clamped to the back of the dryer. Simply remove the clamp using a screw driver, and gently pull the vent off the dryer.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to remove the lint inside the vent. Once you finish, use the vacuum cleaner in the tubing to ensure it has no lint build up inside. If you have problems removing the vent pipe, refer to your dryer's owner's manual for instructions.
Reattach the vent pipe and see if your dryer is drying better now. If not, the problem could be something more serious.
Heating Element
The heating element is what heats the air inside the dryer. Fortunately, you can check the heating element yourself to determine if this is the problem. Unplug your dryer and then remove the vent clamp. Remove the vent tubing, and move the dryer back far enough so you can access the rear.
The heating element may be located inside the dryer cabinet, behind a panel, or behind the drum. This depends on the model of your you have. Refer to your dryer's user manual to determine how to access the heating element.
The heating element is likely round and there is a high limit thermostat on the side of it. This thermostat is generally round and black and has two wires that connect it to the heating element. Use needle-nosed pliers to remove the two wires.
Once you remove the two wires, look underneath the thermostat. You will see two wires attached to terminals. You need to remove these two wires in the same way. Touch the needle of a continuity tester to each terminal. If the light on the tester glows then the heating element is working properly. If the tester does not glow, then you have a bad heating element. Put everything back together as you removed it.
If you found a bad heating element or you are still having problems with the dryer, contact an appliance repair service to get appliance parts or to find a professional to fix your dryer for you.
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