This page covers what's specific to Houston. For the full checklist — causes, safe checks, and repair or replace — see dryer repair.
Houston at a glance
- Main appliance stress
- Long humid summers; storms and flooding
- Hurricane season
- June 1 – November 30 (NOAA)
- Natural gas
- CenterPoint Energy across much of the area
After a storm, check the vent hood
- Look at the exterior vent hood for damage or debris.
- With the dryer running, confirm warm air pushes the flap open.
- If airflow is weak, check the lint screen and transition duct, then have the vent cleaned.
Flooded gas and electric dryers
Act now
- Don't plug in or relight a flooded dryer until it's inspected.
- Gas dryer and you smell gas: leave and call 911 or CenterPoint Energy from outside.
Gas or electric?
Many Houston-area homes have natural gas service from CenterPoint Energy, so gas dryers are common alongside electric ones. Ignition problems on gas dryers and heating-element problems on electric dryers are both technician repairs — see why a dryer stops heating.
Electric dryers after the power comes back
Electric dryers run on a 240-volt circuit with a double breaker. After storms or partial outages, one half can trip or lose supply while the other still powers the drum and controls — so the dryer tumbles but won't heat. Reset the breaker fully (off, then on) before assuming the heating element failed.
Generators and dryers
Safety
Never run a portable generator in a garage, carport, or near windows — carbon monoxide can kill. Most portable generators can't run an electric dryer safely; wait for utility power.
How a repair request works
- 1Call usTell us the appliance, the brand and what it's doing.
- 2Describe the problemBrand, model, symptoms, and what you've already checked.
- 3Provider reviews itThey contact you to accept and to ask anything they need.
- 4Diagnosis and quoteThe provider confirms any diagnostic fee and the repair price before work starts.
Common questions
Does humidity make my dryer slower?
Very humid air can modestly affect drying, but a big change in drying time almost always points to airflow — lint, the duct, or the vent hood.