Replace An Oil Heating Unit's Filter And Clean Vent Covers And Duct Openings
If you heat your small business with oil and have noticed that dust particles often blow through the unit's vent covers after using the heating unit on a daily basis, changing the filter and cleaning the vent covers and duct openings will reduce dust and help keep your oil heating unit maintained. The following steps can be completed with a few tools and supplies and minimal experience with heating units.
You Will Need:
- vinyl tarps
- trash bag
- screwdriver
- air filter
- vacuum cleaner hose
- shallow tray
- warm water
- detergent
- bleach
- wire brush
- towels
- sponge
Replace The Filter And Vacuum And Clean The Covers
If the air filter is located in a hallway or closet inside of the building, drape a tarp on the flooring that is next to the air filter's cover so that dust that is on the air filter won't get on the floor. Use a screwdriver to loosen the hardware that is secured to the filter cover. Lift the cover and slide out the filter. Take note of the filter's measurements so that you can purchase a replacement filter that will fit properly. Dispose of the filter. Insert the replacement filter and close the filter's cover before attaching hardware to the cover's corners.
Use tarps to protect the flooring that surrounds or is underneath each vent cover. Use a screwdriver to loosen hardware that is attached to the covers. Remove the covers and move a vacuum cleaner's hose slowly back and forth both sides of each cover to collect loose particles of dust. Place the covers in a shallow pan that is filled with warm, soapy water. Add a few drops of bleach to the soapy water. Move a wire brush across dirty spots on each cover. Rinse the covers with clean water. Use a towel to dry covers.
Remove Dust From Duct Openings
Insert a vacuum cleaner hose in the end of each duct. Adjust the vacuum cleaner to a high setting before move the cleaner's hose over the duct's interior walls. Use a damp, soapy sponge to clean interior walls if residue is stuck on them. Remove soapy film with plain water. Move a towel across duct walls to dry them. Place a cover over each duct opening and use a screwdriver to secure hardware pieces through the corners of the covers.
Turn on the oil heating unit. Warm air should blow through vent covers and dust should no longer be blowing through the vents.
