Major Appliances: Best Practices

Each FGSH apartment is equipped with the following large appliances (also known as major appliances): refrigerator, range, in-sink garbage disposal, heating/air conditioning units and water heater.

Prohibited. Because of plumbing and electricity capacities, you are prohibited from replacing the university’s appliances or installing your own appliances, including air conditioners, washers/dryers, dishwashers, heaters and other portable appliances.
Permitted. You are allowed to have a mini refrigerator as long as it does not exceed 5 cubic ft (an average of 28 watts). Chest freezers are allowed as long as they do not exceed 5.5 cubic feet in volume. Refrigerators must be plugged directly into the wall sockets. Using the power strip may cause the breakers to trip.
Danger. You must not use the heater closets or area around the water heaters as storage areas because this poses an extreme danger. If items are found stored in the heater closet or by the hot water tank, both will be turned off until the items are removed. A fine may also be assessed for the safety violation.

Heating and Cooling Units

Most FGSH furnaces have electronic ignitions.

Gas pilot light. If your unit has furnace with a gas pilot light and the pilot light goes out, a safety device will automatically shut off the gas to the furnace. Contact OSU Facilities Maintenance at 405-744-7154 to relight the pilot light.

Demaree, Brumley, West, Stevens and Prosser Neighborhood apartments have central heat and window air conditioning.
Williams 101-105 has central heat and air conditioning.

Ranges (Stove tops and ovens)

FGSH apartments are equipped with gas ranges with electric ignitions.

Burners. If the burners fail to ignite, contact maintenance for assistance.
Moving the range. You should not move the range for any reason, including to clean behind it. Moving the range could result in a broken gas line. To have a range moved, call the HRL Facilities Office at 405-744-8510 and place a maintenance request.
Emergencies. When cooking, stay close to the range’s cooktop/stove and keep an eye on the pots and pans. If OSU Environmental Health and Safety is called to respond to issues related to an unattended stove top, you may be fined for the cost of the emergency response.

Water Heaters

Apartments are equipped with gas water heaters. If the pilot light goes out, a safety device will automatically shut off the gas to the heater. Contact HRL Facilities Office to relight the pilot light.
You may notice a rumbling noise coming from the water heater from time to time. This is caused by a mineral build-up at the bottom of the water heater’s tank and is not a concern.

In-Sink Garbage Disposals

Never place your hands, utensils or other tools in the disposal.
If the garbage disposal stops working, you should press the red RESET button on the lower part of the unit. This will often correct the problem. If that does not work, call the HRL Facilities Office at 405-744-8510.
For more information about using an in-sink garbage disposal