Home Maintenance

Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling costs run 70 to 75 percent of a home's total utility cost annually. Taking time to add up last year's utility bills and figuring heating and cooling costs are usually motivations to look for ways to reduce the total cost.

Effective maintenance of these systems can save you money on utility costs and on service calls.

A forced-air system, whether gas or electric resistance, is one form of heating. The most frequent maintenance is cleaning the filter. Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of a system and can block air circulation. Some filters are removed, washed, and replaced; others are replaced by new filters. Filters that have an adhesive coating are more efficient in trapping dust. Know the size filter needed for your heating system and keep a good supply on hand. In most cases, size in inches is printed on the filter. Most filters should be replaced every four to six weeks.

The return air vent should also be cleaned and vacuumed regularly.

If you have a gas heater, look at the flame. If the burner is properly adjusted, the flame is blue. If the mix of gas and air is not correct, the flame is yellow or orange. Call a qualified serviceman to make proper adjustments.

Keep all operation and maintenance booklets in an accessible location. Different systems need different maintenance. All units should be checked by a reputable serviceman at least once a year. The cost can be recovered in energy saved, by more efficient operation, and longer life of your equipment. If there are oil holes, a few drops of nondetergent motor oil can be used if the unit is several years old. Refer to your maintenance manual for more detailed information.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps, like other pieces of equipment in your home, require regular maintenance for optimum performance. Most maintenance should be done by a qualified serviceman, but there are certain things you can do easily. Be sure to follow your manufacturer's directions.

1. Always cut off the power at the breaker box before you start a maintenance check.

    

2. Change filters on a heat pump at least every three months. Never operate the unit without a filter.

    

3. Oil fan motors periodically if they are accessible.

    

4. Inspect fan belts at regular intervals and replace when frayed, worn, or too loose.

    

5. Take precautions to prevent damage to the outdoor unit. Do not obstruct the passage of air through the unit in any way. Keep away all shrubs, weeds, and tall grass from the unit. Take caution not to run a lawn mower over any exposed refrigerant lines.

Call an authorized serviceman immediately if the unit is not cooling properly in the summer, begins making unusual sounds or noises, or becomes covered with ice and does not go into the defrost cycle as it should.

Wood Heaters

Because of high utility costs, heating with wood has become popular. Before installing a wood-heating unit, consider the cost and availability of wood. Good wood-heating equipment is expensive. Do not forget to consider its cost, even if you have a readily available source of wood. An auxiliary heating unit, such as wood, can allow you to remain comfortable in one area of the home while keeping other areas at a lower temperature, thus reducing the total cost.

Inspect all heating stoves at least once a year to insure that all linings and chimneys are intact and that the stove is properly adjusted and cleaned. Clean the chimney at last once a year if you burn wood regularly. (Ask for the chimney cleaning information sheet from your county Extension office.)

Check the heating stoves for cracks, faulty legs or hinges, and replace loose or missing guards. Be sure to keep handy a fire extinguisher suitable for wood fires.

Space Heaters

Other types of auxiliary heat are gas, electric, and kerosene space heaters. It is imperative that equipment such as this be kept in good condition.

Gas heaters and other equipment with burners, such as water heaters and clothes dryers, should be cleaned periodically. Dirty and improperly adjusted burners cause smoke and waste fuel. To clean gas burners you will need a vacuum cleaner and attachment, a broom, or a brush. To clean, turn the gas off and sweep or vacuum around the heater. If the heater has grates, remove them carefully and place them where they will not get broken. Connect the vacuum hose to the vacuum exhaust and blow the dust from all holes and crevices of the stove. Clean up any excess dirt and lint and reassemble. Do this at least once a year.

Portable electric heaters are clean, odor free, and do not require messy fuel storage. They do require periodic maintenance. Dust and vacuum the unit and check to see that the cord is in good condition. Check the automatic shutoff switch by tipping the unit to see if it will cut itself off if accidentally knocked over. Turn on the heater to see if the thermostat operates properly.

Kerosene heaters have gained popularity in recent years. While heat from the kerosene heater is fairly inexpensive, it can be dangerous if not used properly and given the attention it requires. Modern units have safety design features not previously available. Kerosene heaters still require some maintenance procedures on a regular basis and require observation and adjustments during use.

To store a kerosene heater properly, empty the tank and clean the heater cabinet, drip tray, and strainers. Check the wick for carbon deposits and remove the batteries. Store the batteries separately or destroy them. Place the heater in a plastic bag in a dry place.

At the beginning of the heating season, check the kerosene heater carefully and place the batteries in the heater. Then fill the heater and ignite to test the automatic shutoff system. Give the heater a sharp jolt. The jolt should trigger the automatic shutoff system. Reset it and try it again. If it does not work readily, get it repaired immediately.

Here are some rules for safe operation of kerosene heaters:

1. Provide adequate ventilation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the equivalent of ¼-inch opening in a 30-inch wide window. Tightly sealed homes need more.

    

2. Use only K-1 kerosene. This type is the lowest in sulphur content and thus, lowest in producing sulphur dioxide gas. It is clear or white. DO NOT use gasoline.

    

3. Fill the fuel tank away from the place where you will use the heater.

    

4. Do not fill or remove the fuel tank while the heater is operating or hot. Some parts of the heater will be hot enough to ignite any fuel that is spilled.

    

5. Place the heater away from children, pets, volatile solvents, spray cans, paints, or dust.

Inspect central air conditioners at least twice yearly. As with heating units, filters should be changed every four to six weeks. Check your service manual for recommended maintenance schedules and follow it carefully.

Get a professional to check heating and cooling equipment at least once a year. The cost can pay for itself in increased unit life and energy efficiency.

Fans

With rising utility costs, some families are again relying on fans (portable, ceiling, window, or attic) to help cool homes in the summer. Maintenance manuals should again be consulted. Those fans with exposed motors should be oiled occasionally and belts changed.

By Dr. Frances Graham,Extension Housing Specialist

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Information Sheet 1347
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
 

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

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