Why is My Gas Dryer Not Heating Up? An Atlanta Homeowner’s Guide

When laundry appliances were introduced to the marketplace in the early 1950s, household chores changed significantly. They made our lives easier, they made our laundry days less tedious, and they allowed us to use them from the comforts of our home. In Atlanta, it's great to air-dry bedsheets, white t-shirts, and beach towels during the summer. However, during winter, this is not possible. Enter your trusty dryer to do the trick! 80% of American households have a clothes dryer, either an electric or a gas one. Gas dryers are less expensive to operate on average than electric dryers, although they may have higher initial costs and require a different installation process. However, either one can experience the same issue, so what do you do when your dryer is not heating? Our Atlanta appliance repair professionals have the answers.

If you are reading this, it is likely you have stumbled upon a problem with your laundry appliance. The clothes dryer's ultimate purpose (heating up) has let you down, and you don't know what to do. Well, great news! You have come to the right place. In this guide, we will walk through common problems or mishaps that may occur to a household appliance owner.

This guide will help you understand the important parts of your gas dryer, why it may not heat up, signs that it needs immediate repair, and how replacing a part can get your dryer heating up again! Atlanta homeowners can count on Mr. Appliance for reliable answers to why a dryer is not heating.

What is Causing My Dryer to not heat up in Atlanta, GA?

There are many small pleasures in our weekly routine that we get to enjoy. Pulling out clean, dry and warm socks from the unit to put on your feet on a cooler evening is one of them. So when your dryer isn't heating up, bliss can be broken right away. Perhaps your gas-powered dryer is still performing cycles, but it's more of a system without heat. There are common reasons why your gas unit is failing to heat up properly.

It could be due to:

Tripped circuit breakers
Clogged vents
No gas flow
Faulty thermal fuse
Broken heating element.

Causes for Why Your Dryer Isn't Heating Up:

1) Your gas supply is turned off: make sure the gas to your dryer is turned on. On the gas supply pipe to your dryer, there is a small gas valve that controls gas. Make sure the handle lines up with the pipe (on), and it is not turned 90 degrees to the pipe (off). This should fix a gas issue.

2) Ignition system failure: Gas dryers rely on a multistep function that ignites the gas, but also makes sure that the gas does not get out and start a fire in your home. The gas valve on your machine has two functions. Gas can only flow to the second valve if the machine is turned on, has power, and the controls are set to require heat. The second valve only lets gas flow to the burner if the conditions are right for ignition.

3) Thermal Fuse Blown: This particular part is a relatively frequent culprit, so this is usually the first place to check. It can be a sign of other problems, so make sure your thermal fuse is not blown.

4) Thermal cutoff tripped: if the thermal cutoff is blown or tripped, it can also cause a lack of heat in your system.

5) Hi-Limit Thermostat Open: If the ducts are open, you are encouraged to replace the Hi-Limit thermostat. When the Hi-Limit fails and sticks on due to a problem, the thermal fuse will blow.

6) Faulty Cycling Thermostat: The cycling thermostat can get stuck open, causing the dryer to not produce enough heat. If this is the case, disconnect it from the wiring in the dryer and test it out.

7) Centrifugal Switch Failure: This switch closes to maintain contact between the motor and power source. It also completes the circuit for the gas control system. If the centrifugal switch isn't working, it will prevent the power source from reaching the gas valve, which ultimately prevents heat from clinging to your clothes.

8) Timer Assembly Failure: If your timer assembly is faulty, it means you will have to replace it. A faulty timer assembly may indicate that the contacts that control the heat source have failed.

9) Gas Valve Relay (Control Board Failure): Check your gas valve relay on the control board to locate it, and if it is replaceable. Start by tracing the wiring from the gas valve back to the control board.

Dryer’s Essential Parts:

Knowing the parts of your dryer is helpful for identifying the cause of your dryer's heat loss. It's important to know where your lint screen is and how to check your exhaust vent to identify the essential parts of your dryer. Dryers have two parts: the external and internal sections. The following terms will help you expand your dryer vocabulary.

External Parts of a Dryer

If your dryer seems to be malfunctioning, start by inspecting your dryer's exterior parts. The external parts of your dryer can be accessed without having to remove the dryer cover. Here is a list of dryer part names that can be typically found on the outside of your machine:

Dryer feet
Dryer bulb
Lint screen, lint trap
Knob or dial
Door seal
Door latch
Door switch
Drum baffle
Dryer vent

Internal Parts of a Dryer

If the outside of your dryer seems to work fine, the issue might be inside or behind the control panel. This could involve issues with the internal components. It's important to carefully inspect and troubleshoot these areas to determine the cause of the problem. Below is a list of internal dryer parts that may be responsible for your machine's malfunction:

Heating element
Blower
Thermal Fuse
Thermostat
Idler pulley
Drive belt
Drive motor
Drum slide, glide or pad
Drum roller
Electronic control board

Electric and gas dryers have similar components, but gas dryers contain extra parts due to their different fuel source:

Flame sensor
Gas valve coil
Dryer igniter

You may still have wet clothes after drying because of a clogged lint filter, a broken heating element, or a problem with the dryer’s ventilation system. Understanding the different parts of your machine helps you troubleshoot and identify potential problems so you can fix them effectively.

What Are the Warning Signs that Appliance Repair is Needed?

If your thermal fuse is blown, check to make sure there are no lint blockages in your exhaust duct. If your thermal fuse is blown, check the blower wheel for excess lint and stray clothing (sometimes socks get stuck). If there is a blockage, it impedes airflow. If you can't figure out what is causing your thermal fuse to blow, contact an Atlanta appliance repair expert to find the problem.

If there is no continuity in your Hi-Limit Thermostat, you will have to replace it. This part is relatively inexpensive, so it is best to get a new one right away.

If your centrifugal switch is failing, as mentioned previously, it will prevent your clothes from retaining heat. Test your centrifugal switch for continuity to find out which contacts allow current to flow through the gas valve. Disconnect one terminal and then test the switch for continuity. If there is no continuity, the switch needs to be replaced.

When all else fails, check the gas relay valve located on your control board. The control board is crucial for a dryer to work. If you can't trace the wiring from the gas valve to the control board, you can replace the control board.

Sometimes repairing these technical issues is difficult if you don't have the time or tools to do so. Dryers are a staple machine in households, so putting off repairs is not always acceptable. At Mr. Appliance of Greater Atlanta, our skilled technicians can quickly and efficiently repair your appliances, ensuring your satisfaction. We prioritize delivering high-quality service and ensuring that your appliances are up and running in no time.

What Types of Makes and Models Do You Service and Repair in Greater Atlanta?

Our Atlanta appliance repair technicians are experts at servicing a wide variety of major brands. We are dedicated to helping all customers, no matter the brand of their appliance. This is why we are a trusted provider for homeowners in Greater Atlanta. Common dryer brands we service and repair are:

Maytag
GE & GE Profile
Fisher & Paykel
Whirlpool
Bosch
LG
Samsung
Electrolux
Frigidaire
Haier
Kenmore
Miele
Amana
Asko
Speed Queen
(and many more!)

Should I Consider Buying a New Appliance Instead of Getting a Dryer Repair in Atlanta?

Appliances are a home investment that you often won't regret, but it isn't easy on the wallet. Replacing something with something new may seem like the easiest solution, but it's not always the most sustainable or needed. To avoid purchasing a new dryer, reach out to Mr. Appliance of Greater Atlanta for professional help. Chances are, our appliance experts will likely find the solution to why your dryer is not heating. Atlanta appliance repair pros will offer you efficient and cost-effective dryer repair options. Both electric and gas dryers should have an average lifespan of 13 years. By regularly cleaning the lint filters and ducts, your unit will run more efficiently and increase its longevity. But if you are encountering numerous problems with a system that is 20 years old, it may be prudent to invest in a new one.

Dryer Still Not Heating? Atlanta—Count On Your Local Mr. Appliance to Help You Out!

When it comes to ensuring your laundry routine runs smoothly, your appliance needs to come through. At Mr. Appliance of Greater Atlanta, we understand the vital role your appliance plays in your day-to-day. Our dedicated team of experts is more than willing to keep it functioning as well as it did the day you bought it. We strive to be the top choice for dryer maintenance in the Greater Atlanta area by prioritizing efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re in Atlanta, Buckhead or Sandy Springs, don't wait any longer, fix your dryer now!

Life is too short to deprive yourself of the simple pleasure of bundling yourself up in a warm blanket straight from your dryer. Your solution is just a call away, so take the first step toward getting your dryer back on track. Reach out to our customer care team and schedule your appointment today!