IS1347 Heating and Cooling 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. Heating Systems Forced Air 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.
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.