A laundry appliance includes a blower that selectively delivers process air through an airflow path. A rotating drum defines a portion of the airflow path. The rotating drum is attached to a drive shaft that rotates the rotating drum about a rotational axis. The blower and the drive shaft are operated by a common motor. A heater selectively delivers heat to the airflow path. The heater defines an energizing state when a motor current delivered to the common motor is within a predetermined motor current range that is indicative of the common motor operating. The heater defines an idle state when the motor current is outside of the predetermined motor current range.