How To Take Your Floor Furnace Out

Heaters that are often electric or gas-powered and intended to transfer heat through a home’s floor are called floor furnaces. They are typically found on the first floor of a house, while the furnace’s base is normally found in the basement or a small crawl space. In this piece, we’ll go over the steps we found to be the best way to get rid of these heaters.

Steps for Taking Out a Floor Furnace:

Turn the electricity off.
Disconnect the gas line.
Get rid of the vent grill.
Fasteners holding the floor furnace in place should be unscrewed.
Carefully and slowly remove the floor furnace, then set it aside.
Remove the cover that protects the furnace.

A floor furnace can be difficult to remove physically. Accessing the furnace’s base can be challenging, but moving it from its current location could need some more assistance. When dismantling these kinds of stoves, make sure to take the necessary safety measures. To find out how to do it effectively and safely, keep reading.

What you’ll need is:

Screwdriver
Flashlight
Powered drill
Powered saw
Wrench

1. Turn the electricity off.

Make sure to turn off your floor furnace’s On/Off switch if it is present. Then, go to your basement or storage closet and flip the circuit breaker switch to stop the electricity from the furnace.

After it has been turned off, let the furnace (if it is electric) a few minutes to discharge any built-up electricity.

2. Disconnect the gas Line.

If the furnace is powered by gas, shut off the gas after shutting it off and wait 10 to 15 minutes for any gas that may still be present to disperse. This valve will be placed in the cellar or other tiny area where the furnace’s base lies.

The gas line to the furnace may have an on/off valve. At this time, make sure to flip the valve to the off position. Be sure to have a monkey wrench on ready because you could typically need to use one to turn the valve.

3. Get rid of the vent grill.

Return to the floor furnace and remove the top grille next. Allow the furnace to cool for 10 to 15 minutes if it’s still hot before attempting to remove it.

4. Fasteners holding the floor furnace in place should be unscrewed.

Any screws securing the floor furnace should be removed using a screwdriver or power drill.

Along with metal sheets, timber planks are frequently used to support the furnace. In that scenario, sawing these sections away makes it simpler to reach the furnace completely. Use your flashlight to clearly see the parts that are holding the furnace in place.

The furnace unit shouldn’t be pulled forcibly if it’s still being kept in place because doing so could seriously hurt your back. So make sure to only lightly tug at first to make sure it is totally free.

5. Carefully and slowly remove the floor furnace, then set it aside.

Once you are certain that all side fasteners have been taken off, slowly push the furnace out of its location with the help of an aid.

To loosen up a really old furnace, you might need to rock it back and forth. These stoves frequently fit rather tightly. The furnace should be removed and placed on the floor to the side.

6. Remove the cover that protects the furnace.

Frequently, the section of the floor where the furnace was installed will be surrounded by a thin metal sheet framing. The border’s edge can be cut off from the floor joists with a saw or removed with a pry bar.

The corners of the framing can be rather sharp, so take caution when pulling it out of place. Before grabbing the framing, it is advised to first put on a pair of workman’s gloves because the edges can be extremely sharp.

The Operation of an Old Floor Furnace

Radiators and floor furnaces both function similarly. Although most are gas-operated, they are put in the floor of a room and can be run on either gas or electricity. The spaces they are located in are heated by these furnaces, which are effectively radiant heaters.

They function by using convection to produce a plume of warm air that rises to the ceiling and radiates from room to room without the use of ducting. Floor furnaces have the inherent potential to collect dust, dander, and other material.

These units can easily turn into a fire hazard if they are not maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, which is why many homeowners frequently replace them with more conventional upright furnaces.

These heaters may be cleaned most easily by using a hand-held vacuum and a moist cloth to remove any dust or debris from the furnace’s inside.

These furnaces’ potential for causing property damage and physical harm is another drawback. Without a heat barrier, the top of the furnace can easily burn anyone who touches it or harm nearby furnishings.

Are Floor Furnaces Electric or Gas?

Typically, floor furnaces run on electricity, propane, or natural gas. These kind of units are more commonly used with gas choices because they are typically less expensive. Homeowners may find it convenient that many of these furnaces don’t even need electricity to work.

What is The Lifespan Of a Floor Furnace?

These furnaces typically have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, which is comparable to that of conventional upright furnaces.

To avoid fire threats and increase their lifespan, these furnaces must be maintained, much like regular furnaces.

Cleaning the furnace’s internal components using a vacuum and a damp cloth to get rid of any dirt, dander, or other buildup is part of maintenance.

Old Floor Furnaces: Are They Safe?

The safest option to heat a contemporary home may not always be a floor furnace. They can provide a greater fire risk than upright furnaces because of how much dust and debris they gather.

If the vents for these furnaces are not covered, they may also result in human injury. However, they can offer an effective solution to heat your home with routine maintenance and servicing.

What is The Price to Remove a Floor Furnace?

The furnace’s make and model must be considered. However, the furnace itself will usually cost you between $1,500 and $2,000 in total. Depending on your home’s layout and the requirements for the furnace’s placement, installation costs can range from $350 to over $800.

How Can I Remove an Old Furnace?

The removal and disposal of your old floor furnace will be handled by the majority of qualified HVAC contractors or disposal businesses. This is frequently covered in the proposal or price for a new installation or full removal.

It is best to first confirm that this is the case, though. If you’d rather not hire a contractor to remove the furnace, you can take it to a nearby recycler to see if the scraps can be sold.

Keep in mind that it is never a good idea to put your heater in the trash can or dumpster outside your house as this could be against the law and local ordinances.

Also, make sure to disassemble the floor furnace as much as you can to prepare it for recycling. The motor, copper and brass fittings or tubing, coils, metal ducting, compressors, and circuit boards are examples of typical recyclable parts.

In Conclusion

We hope that this article has clarified how a floor furnace operates and may be taken apart and cleaned. Finally, a conventional upright furnace is often the greatest option if you’re seeking for an effective way to heat your home. There are alternative heating solutions, such as floor furnaces, if you are unable to put ducting in your home.