Signs It’s Time for a New Washer/Dryer

When your clothes washer or dryer feels “off,” it’s always a good idea to check with a washing machine repair specialist to see if the issue can be fixed. While many of these professionals can continue to fix any mechanical issues associated with your appliance, only those who are honest and trustworthy will be willing to have a conversation with you about when you should consider replacing your unit instead of repairing it. Read on for signs that it is time for a new washer/dryer.

Looking for washing machine repair or dryer repair in Atlanta, Covington, or nearby? Contact Comfort Appliance today.

Your Washer/Dryer Uses Lots of Energy

The degree to which a washer/dryer consumes energy is a major factor that should influence your decision to upgrade. In many instances, determining the energy efficiency of an appliance is as easy as checking the Energy Guide sticker on the washer/dryer, which will display the appliance’s average energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the associated average annual cost to the owner in US dollars.

If there is no Energy Guide sticker present, you can use simple math to calculate the kWh of your appliance by referring to the wattage listed on your washer/dryer’s Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) sticker. While the name of this company may not sound familiar, you have undoubtedly seen their safety stickers on a myriad of home appliances, as the organization performs quality control testing for billions of products shipped across the globe each year.

To assess your appliance’s energy usage, take the wattage listed and multiply it by hours used per day, and divide this product by 1,000. The result is the daily kilowatt-hours consumed. Then, take that number and multiply it by the days per year you use the appliance to get your annual energy consumption.

While there may be a need for some estimating of figures, this can give you a rough idea of how the energy consumption of your appliance compares to other models. An experienced local washing machine repair specialist can often use electrical testing tools to perform a more accurate assessment.

Your Washer/Dryer Makes Loud Noises

While there may be a few different culprits when a washer/dryer is making loud, banging noises, the major contributing factor is typically associated with a faulty transmission. This component is responsible for driving both the spinning motion of the inner washer tub as well as the back-and-forth motion of the appliance’s agitator.

A faulty washer/dryer transmission may or may not be associated with mechanical failure of the appliance’s motor as well, but either concern represents some of the more costly types of washing machine repair that homeowners can face.

If you’re hearing a banging sound accompanied by grease marks on your laundry or oil pooling under the appliance, take these as signs to begin shopping for a replacement washer/dryer.

Your Washer/Dryer’s Heating Ability is Inconsistent

When people repeatedly find damp loads of clothes in their dryers after running them through a cycle, this is a problem that may indicate the need to purchase a new unit. However, if your lowest heat setting is turning out loads of laundry that seem way too hot, this is also a cause for concern.

Proper heat control is an essential function of clothes dryers. When temperatures get too high, they can shrink fabrics or even cause a fire. When heat settings are too low, damp clothes may sit in a dryer basin for prolonged periods of time, leading to mold spore growth.

Venting is a Challenge

Clothes dryers should always vent to the exterior of the home. While some owners have chosen to simply direct their dryer vents into an attic space or into the basement, this goes against modern building codes and creates a major fire hazard.

If venting to the exterior of your home is not easily achieved, modern technology has the answer. Ventless clothes dryers use heat pumps to constantly recirculate air through the drum, which constantly picks up moisture from the clothes. This moisture is later condensed and pumped away as a liquid using a heat exchanger.

Luckily, you don’t need to decide for yourself whether your washer or dryer should be repaired or replaced. By calling an expert washing machine repair specialist, you can get a professional opinion and move forward with confidence. If you live in the greater Atlanta area, Comfort Appliance is the washing machine repair and dryer repair resource for you. Contact us today with questions.