Gravity heat furnace

Irene Kelly

I am selling a home built in the 1940's with a large gravity heat furnace that was converted from a coal furnace. We have found it to be a nice even heat. However, the realtor thinks it could be a problem for buyers unfamiliar with it. I'm looking for some information to provide to potential buyers to educate them about it. We checked into replacing it and we are told it would take 15 or more years to recover the cost. It has no moving parts and we've had little trouble with it. I think it does pose some asbestos concerns and of course, it's as big as and looks like a monster. Is there some information out there we can use to reassure people this furnace is safe and educate them about it? Or, if it is not safe, the information could educate us. Thanks for any help you can provide.

wilbot

library

check the library section of this site or go to thesheetmetalshop.com.

Larry (from OSHA)

I had one myself

Hi Irene,

I am merely a homeowner like you, but many years ago in our first home we had an octopus gravity furnace like you. The lack of any moving parts is certainly a plus, but there are a few things to consider. First of all, the integrity of the heat exchanger. I imagine that your furnace is possibly as old as the house. A proper inspection will be able to tell you if there are any leaks. This is a safety issue as carbon monoxide could be present in the home while it is operating. From an efficiency perspective, I doubt that the old beast is more than 60% efficient. New furnaces can be up to 98%. When it comes to replacement, proper sizing is a critical factor that could save you (or the next owner) even more. Make sure any heating contractor does what is called a "heat loss analysis". I would question the 15 year payback although there would most likely be extensive duct work needed that would drive up the cost. I do tend to agree with your realtor. Seeing such a contraption in the basement could cause potential buyers to have concerns.

Best of luck.

Larry (from OSHA)

jeff_51

the easiest thoing

is to get a licensed heating contractor to come out and check out the furnace and have it certified as being in proper working condition. The asbestous is not a problem unless it is deteriating. A common solution is to paint it. There a prolly millions of those things out there still, and I have certainly torn out many.

Leo

This furnace more than likely has asbestos in it, no problem until it is removed. The heat exchanger is more than likely heavy cast iron given it was designed for coal. This is a large mass that basically wastes heat. I wouldn't doubt that it becomes a point of negotiation when you and a potential buyer haggle over price. In a high tech world you are heating with 1940's technology. Another point to remember is you have come here asking for information and that is fine but a potential buyer can concieveably do the same. Good luck on your sale, I myself am in the process of buying and the home I am getting has steam heat.

Leo

don_144

You know

even tho she is an old inefficent beast in todays standard
she still has merit.

I've seen guys spout high efficency and how much it could save on gas bills when changing out to a force system then had to eat crow.

Just thinks what happen when you install a force system on a home that has no improvement done on the thermal wrap,and
then couple it with a distribution system that leaks.$$$$

She made be a beast but she been a gentle one for the house
she was attached too.

Would you please share if not to personal of a subject, your fuel bills?

[Deleted User]

gravity heaters

Irene
Gravity heaters use the air in the basement to feed into your home, the burners come on, heat the air from the basement and the hot air rises through the ductwork to the living space above. I would rather have a 2 stage varible speed furnace with good filtration recirculating the air in my home and maybe pulling a little fresh air from outside than using basement air. Do you live in an area with radon gas? I've heard radon settles in basement areas. Mike