Need Help Finding Right Contractor to Fix Vintage Gas Room Heater (Northeast Philly)

xinkecf35

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here can help point me in the right direction. I’m trying to find a contractor or tradesperson who works on vintage gas-fired room heaters.

I’ve been calling around (based in Northeast Philly), but I keep striking out; I’ve talked to plumbers and HVAC techs, and most either don’t recognize the unit or don’t want to touch it. I think I may also be describing it wrong when I call.

Here’s what I know about the unit:

• It’s a standalone, gas-fired room heater (not part of a central system)
• It has a standing pilot and is directly vented outside
• There’s a mechanical thermostat dial on the valve, with a thermocouple safety
• I accidentally unscrewed the dial cap too far while trying to light the pilot, and now the markings no longer line up.
• The heater still works, but I’d like to have the valve re-seated, calibrated, or replaced properly for safety and usability

I’ve attached several photos of the unit and valve (below).

If anyone has advice on what type of pro works on these, or a specific contractor you’d recommend, I’d really appreciate it!

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mattmia2

oh, it is a clow. and it has a modulating burner on it. all that is very much obsolete and I don't know that there is something you could substitute for it. If it were not modulating there are some controls that would work but there aren't modern controls that modulate the gas pressure based on steam pressure for small systems. I suppose you could set it up with a modern millivolt valve and a thermostat and vaporstat.

bburd

Unfortunately the practical answer is that your heater has not been manufactured in many decades, direct replacement parts are no longer available and very few gas fitters today understand that type of equipment.

The safest, easiest and least expensive solution is almost certainly to retire that old beast and install a modern vented gas space heater.

pecmsg

that 3rd photo clearly stats

“Do NOT remove or Loosen”

Good luck but I think the damage is done.

xinkecf35

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1876689#Comment_1876689

Yeah, I would be open to a replacement for the valve for it. To clarify the photos, I don't there's much steam steam or to any signficant degree.

There's only a gas hookup and no water hookup so I suspect the mechanism isn't counting on that, more bimetallic strip.

But if I were to try my luck anyway for someone - would I be looking more for a gas certified plumber than a HVAC guy?

mattmia2

you'd need a really good gas tech that understands steam heating. It is filled partly with water and the burner boils the water and makes steam inside the radiator. You have been checking the water, right?

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/197933/clow-gasteam-radiator-notes

https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/clow-gasteam-radiators/

EBEBRATT-Ed

I have to go with @bburd on this one.

The labor to fool with that to get it working and trying to track down parts and retrofit it is not worth a contractors time. It will cost you more than it is worth.

Google Empire gas fired heaters.

xinkecf35

Got it. Yeah @mattmia2 we have been checking the water (my dad informed me I was mistaken in initial recollection). I'll definitely read up on that link you sent.

As for recommendations for outright replacement, duly noted. After like the fourth guy saying they recognized I had a sinking feeling this thing was past saving.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I am sure it could be fixed but unless you can do the work yourself it just will cost more than it is worth.

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1876847#Comment_1876847

and rebuilding gas valves is no longer allowed so anyone with a license is unlikely to want to have anything to do with it unless it is some sort of retrofit.