gusherb
Well-known member
The blower is in the box on the right. Back then a blower was an add on. Wasn't integrated until they made gas and oil furnaces for the purpose.
Furnace question for Easterners/Cold Country members~
- Thread starter funktionalart
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Notice against the back wall the three burner stove for the wash boiler from the days when laundry day started by putting the water on to boil.
Is that a gas heater in the wall of the bathroom?
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Nice house! I wouldn't mind having it, myself.
As for the furnace, I think I'd keep it. It has served well to this point, after all. A new furnace might be more efficient, but would it save enough to cover the cost of replacement? And let's not forget that a new furnace could well need more expensive parts more often (a sensor here, a control board there), and need replacement in 10 years...
Past this, it can be argued this system has some historic interest. I've posted this link before, but it might be worth posting again in which one person discusses his decision to keep an old gravity furnace in his house because of the historic value. In his case, he did change to a new furnace to actually heat...but left the old furnace more or less in place due to the history.
www.oldhouseguy.com
This above link includes a video showing the old furnace (with oil burner running), which I found interesting.
[this post was last edited: 1/20/2018-02:46]
As for the furnace, I think I'd keep it. It has served well to this point, after all. A new furnace might be more efficient, but would it save enough to cover the cost of replacement? And let's not forget that a new furnace could well need more expensive parts more often (a sensor here, a control board there), and need replacement in 10 years...
Past this, it can be argued this system has some historic interest. I've posted this link before, but it might be worth posting again in which one person discusses his decision to keep an old gravity furnace in his house because of the historic value. In his case, he did change to a new furnace to actually heat...but left the old furnace more or less in place due to the history.
Heating with an Old Octopus Furnace - OldHouseGuy Blog
Old octopus furnace is historic and part of the evolution of the house. This coal furnace is rare and can't be replaced. Old gravity furnace must be preserved.
www.oldhouseguy.com
This above link includes a video showing the old furnace (with oil burner running), which I found interesting.
[this post was last edited: 1/20/2018-02:46]
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Remember that the heat 'lost' from those uninsulated ducts actually warms the floor above so the heat isn't really lost.
Yes.
It could also help keep the first floor's floor (the floor itself) feeling a bit warmer than would be the case otherwise, making the house feel more comfortable. I've known people who've actively heated their basement for this reason alone.
Yes.
It could also help keep the first floor's floor (the floor itself) feeling a bit warmer than would be the case otherwise, making the house feel more comfortable. I've known people who've actively heated their basement for this reason alone.
gusherb
Well-known member
The sheet metal ductwork keeps the first floor floors warm here. And the air leaks in the sheet metal help keep the basement warm. It was around 66° during the cold snap. Insulate the walls of the basement which stick out of the ground about 4' and it'd probably stay 70° down there with no direct heating of it.
diesirae7
Well-known member
beautiful furnace!!
I have not seen such a beautiful furnace since I worked in the home heating business in Quincy, IL!! What you have there is originally a coal fired furnace, door on the left is most likely the coal-bin. That brown box on the right is the blower compartment, 1936 they were starting to use blowers to move hot air, Lennox was the first to use a blower on their furnaces, the brand is cast on the firebox door. It could be Lennox, Round Oak, AFCO. I'm certain this is the original system, the way the ducts are run, its not gravity convection. This furnace would last centuries, the Brown box in the ash pan door is a gas conversion burner, looks the same as the one in my grandma's house on a coal furnace. This furnace would be something to keep indeed, it will last and last, if anything, add a newer system with AC as a separate system or a ductless system and leave this alone!! You wouldn't be able to add central AC to this old furnace, no way it would move enough air or be able to fit a tiny coil on top of that huge opening.
That furnace is going to scare the hell out of the typical HVAC Technician , beware of that LOL
More closer photos please!
I have not seen such a beautiful furnace since I worked in the home heating business in Quincy, IL!! What you have there is originally a coal fired furnace, door on the left is most likely the coal-bin. That brown box on the right is the blower compartment, 1936 they were starting to use blowers to move hot air, Lennox was the first to use a blower on their furnaces, the brand is cast on the firebox door. It could be Lennox, Round Oak, AFCO. I'm certain this is the original system, the way the ducts are run, its not gravity convection. This furnace would last centuries, the Brown box in the ash pan door is a gas conversion burner, looks the same as the one in my grandma's house on a coal furnace. This furnace would be something to keep indeed, it will last and last, if anything, add a newer system with AC as a separate system or a ductless system and leave this alone!! You wouldn't be able to add central AC to this old furnace, no way it would move enough air or be able to fit a tiny coil on top of that huge opening.
That furnace is going to scare the hell out of the typical HVAC Technician , beware of that LOL
More closer photos please!
Really WONDERFUL place----Love the old heat system---If it works-----KEEP IT!!!!!Rest of the place-beautiful----KEEP IT!!!!ANYONE that rips this place up is a TOTAL IDIOT!!!!!If the system is indeed force air-an AC system could be added-would think that would be a must in Arizona.Can we see more pictures of details on the Heat system-could we see inside shots of the blower system?
funktionalart
Well-known member
additional pics...
are not a possibility at this point (for those who asked). Photos posted are from a real estate agent listing of the place. This is located 2000 miles from me, so until I can actually get out there myself to view, what ya see is what ya get--sorry!
are not a possibility at this point (for those who asked). Photos posted are from a real estate agent listing of the place. This is located 2000 miles from me, so until I can actually get out there myself to view, what ya see is what ya get--sorry!
You can also pose your query over at HeatingHelp.com
There's nothing those guys don't know.
forum.heatinghelp.com
There's nothing those guys don't know.
THE MAIN WALL
Categories - Got a general heating question, or a comment to make? Just want to chat with friends? This is the place.
twintubdexter
Well-known member
I wondered if you were still thinking of moving...
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I remember a year or so ago you were contemplating escaping the Phoenix heat and moving Eastward. That's a beautiful house and you are fortunate to be able to maneuver the interior. When I see a house like that, stairs up and stairs down, I think "maybe in my next life". 2 weeks ago I turned a very old 68, and like Roxie Hart said in "Chicago" I'm older than I ever intended to be. I don't like being below ground-level so basements scare me. The department store I worked at in SF had an enormous basement store. I never liked walking through there, especially with 7 big stories above in a building that was hastily slapped together after the 1906 Earthquake. If the bedrooms are upstairs...well I remember what happened to poor Blanch Hudson when she tried to take the express way down. Even Olivia De Havilland in "Lady In A Cage" had problems and she had an elevator!</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I'm sure if you buy a home like that you'll be very happy. All that room and all that craftsmanship. I'm far from knowledgeable when it comes to vintage heating equipment especially in cold climates but that unit looks like it was designed to last a good long time. You can always tour the neighborhood and ask what neighbors are paying for heat. If they answer the door dressed like Nanook of the North I'd double what they tell you.</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">poor Olivia...</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I remember a year or so ago you were contemplating escaping the Phoenix heat and moving Eastward. That's a beautiful house and you are fortunate to be able to maneuver the interior. When I see a house like that, stairs up and stairs down, I think "maybe in my next life". 2 weeks ago I turned a very old 68, and like Roxie Hart said in "Chicago" I'm older than I ever intended to be. I don't like being below ground-level so basements scare me. The department store I worked at in SF had an enormous basement store. I never liked walking through there, especially with 7 big stories above in a building that was hastily slapped together after the 1906 Earthquake. If the bedrooms are upstairs...well I remember what happened to poor Blanch Hudson when she tried to take the express way down. Even Olivia De Havilland in "Lady In A Cage" had problems and she had an elevator!</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I'm sure if you buy a home like that you'll be very happy. All that room and all that craftsmanship. I'm far from knowledgeable when it comes to vintage heating equipment especially in cold climates but that unit looks like it was designed to last a good long time. You can always tour the neighborhood and ask what neighbors are paying for heat. If they answer the door dressed like Nanook of the North I'd double what they tell you.</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">poor Olivia...</span>
I would want to see the utility bills before seriously considering a place that large. I value comfort.
norgeway
Well-known member
Welll
Yes...it probably will use more gas....BUT it will run silently, dependable just about forever, If I was LUCKY enough to have it I surely would NEVER take it out!!!No silly computer boards and electronics to cause service calls all the time, just dependable quiet heat!
Yes...it probably will use more gas....BUT it will run silently, dependable just about forever, If I was LUCKY enough to have it I surely would NEVER take it out!!!No silly computer boards and electronics to cause service calls all the time, just dependable quiet heat!
norgeway
Well-known member
The whole pace
Is WONDERFUL, especially that kitchen floor and those bathrooms!
Is WONDERFUL, especially that kitchen floor and those bathrooms!
Neat old furnace
It was coal originally and was converted to natural gas long ago, it was always forced air.
It would be easy to add central-air- heat-pump and a back-up new condensing Nat gas furnace would be by far the least expensive way to heat and cool this old house which does not have much insulation.
John L.
It was coal originally and was converted to natural gas long ago, it was always forced air.
It would be easy to add central-air- heat-pump and a back-up new condensing Nat gas furnace would be by far the least expensive way to heat and cool this old house which does not have much insulation.
John L.
Allen, Oh yes, I love this house too. There is even a steel beam to hold the floor up. Nice gas fired hot plate to heat the wash water and the concrete rinse tubs which are just begging for a wringer washer parked in front of it to do a weeks worth of laundry. Nice place indeed. Gary
I wish it were mine! But....I prefer the Southern region.
WOW!
That place is fantastic! It's easy to see that it is of very high quality construction. It's very unusual to see glazed structural tile in a residence - somebody spent some money on that. The bathrooms remind me of the ones I saw when I visited Pinecroft (the Crosley estate), which was built in 1928. The house you show is quite a bit smaller than Pinecroft, but appears to approach it in quality.
When I looked at the first picture of the basement, I thought it was in some commercial building, huge mansion or large apartment house, with all that ductwork and tile. I'm actually kind of surprised it didn't have central air originally, as it appears no expense was spared.
I'd like to see the electrical system in there. It appears the wiring is in steel conduit. I wouldn't doubt there are multiple fuse or breaker panels in a house of this size, like a commercial building would have.
I'm wondering who built this home? It's evident they were the upper class of their community to be able to afford something like this during the depression.
That place is fantastic! It's easy to see that it is of very high quality construction. It's very unusual to see glazed structural tile in a residence - somebody spent some money on that. The bathrooms remind me of the ones I saw when I visited Pinecroft (the Crosley estate), which was built in 1928. The house you show is quite a bit smaller than Pinecroft, but appears to approach it in quality.
When I looked at the first picture of the basement, I thought it was in some commercial building, huge mansion or large apartment house, with all that ductwork and tile. I'm actually kind of surprised it didn't have central air originally, as it appears no expense was spared.
I'd like to see the electrical system in there. It appears the wiring is in steel conduit. I wouldn't doubt there are multiple fuse or breaker panels in a house of this size, like a commercial building would have.
I'm wondering who built this home? It's evident they were the upper class of their community to be able to afford something like this during the depression.
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
"You wouldn't be able to add central AC to this old furnace, no way it would move enough air or be able to fit a tiny coil on top of that huge opening."
I'd be reluctant to do any major messing with the system. My first thought would be to rewire the blower/fan switch to allow operation independent of the heat. If there's a slot for a slide-in air filter I'd replace it with one of those self-contained electronic ones ... not as good as a HEPA, but still a def improvement.
Before I decided on any permanent a/c solution, I'd buy a couple of cheap 5,000 btu window units and place them as near as practical to the return vents. Why? In areas where the summertime humidity is as bad as the heat it's amazing how much one can UNDERcool (on paper) an old house and still be comfortable. I'd keep make sure at least one cool air return duct in the basement was open and install a 70pt dehumidifier.
Was the attic finished off later? If so, don't be surprised if there's a hefty layer of rock wool between the 2nd floor ceiling and the attic floor.
I'd be reluctant to do any major messing with the system. My first thought would be to rewire the blower/fan switch to allow operation independent of the heat. If there's a slot for a slide-in air filter I'd replace it with one of those self-contained electronic ones ... not as good as a HEPA, but still a def improvement.
Before I decided on any permanent a/c solution, I'd buy a couple of cheap 5,000 btu window units and place them as near as practical to the return vents. Why? In areas where the summertime humidity is as bad as the heat it's amazing how much one can UNDERcool (on paper) an old house and still be comfortable. I'd keep make sure at least one cool air return duct in the basement was open and install a 70pt dehumidifier.
Was the attic finished off later? If so, don't be surprised if there's a hefty layer of rock wool between the 2nd floor ceiling and the attic floor.
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
"Insulate the walls of the basement which stick out of the ground about 4' and it'd probably stay 70° down there with no direct heating of it."
For reasons that never were explained, my mom and her brother decided my grandparents' perfectly operating boiler 'had' to be replaced. I warned that the basement temps would drop sharply, causing cold floors, cold basement, no place to dry clothes in the winter, pipes more apt to freeze, etc.
Since this info came from me, it was ignored. The boiler was replaced and when the consequences I warned of came, I was told it was a coincidence.
I'd leave the system as is and enjoy its benefits.
For reasons that never were explained, my mom and her brother decided my grandparents' perfectly operating boiler 'had' to be replaced. I warned that the basement temps would drop sharply, causing cold floors, cold basement, no place to dry clothes in the winter, pipes more apt to freeze, etc.
Since this info came from me, it was ignored. The boiler was replaced and when the consequences I warned of came, I was told it was a coincidence.
I'd leave the system as is and enjoy its benefits.
