Electric dryers require a heating element to heat the air inside the dryer drum. This dryer heating element produces heat to dry clothes in a dryer and is located in the rear end. Depending on your dryer model, the heating element either instals inside a housing and heats the air as it passes through the blower or a circular heating element sits directly behind your dryer's drum, heating the air inside the drum. The tools needed for this repair project are a Phillips screwdriver, a putty knife, and needle-nose pliers. Unplug the appliance from its power source before beginning this repair.