Is it worth it to replace a heating element in a dryer?

Whether it is worth it to replace a heating element in a dryer depends on the age of the dryer, cost of the part, and whether you do it yourself or hire a technician. For most dryers under 10 years old, yes, it is usually worth replacing the heating element, especially in LG and other electric models. The heating element itself costs 40 to 120 dollars for the part, and a complete assembly with housing may cost 100 to 200 dollars. If you are handy, you can replace it yourself in 30 to 60 minutes with basic tools by unplugging the dryer, removing the back panel or front panel, disconnecting wires, and swapping the element. Even with professional labor, total cost is typically 180 to 350 dollars, which is far less than a new dryer costing 700 to 1,300 dollars. You should also replace the thermal fuse, thermostat, and check venting at the same time because overheating from a blocked vent is often what caused the element to fail, and those parts are cheap at 10 to 30 dollars each. However, if your dryer is over 12 to 15 years old, has rust, a noisy motor, worn rollers, and a failing control board, and the total repair estimate exceeds 50 percent of replacement cost, it is better to replace the whole dryer for improved energy efficiency and safety. Always clean your entire vent duct when replacing the element to prevent recurrence.