Even though it 80 degrees here, I thought I'd do my yearly cleaning. Don't think we've used since last March/April?
Who else is still heating with a old girl.
Who else is still heating with a old girl.
How about old furnace is still in use
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norgeway
Well-known member
Those old!
Gas floor furnaces would literally last forever, I have a old oil burning one that I plan to use in my building, For a small house a floor furnace is great, lots of them in the South, although most were oil burning.
Gas floor furnaces would literally last forever, I have a old oil burning one that I plan to use in my building, For a small house a floor furnace is great, lots of them in the South, although most were oil burning.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
The furnace here is probably about 50 years old. However, it's probably not the oldest one that will be mentioned here, knowing the people on this site!
Although it's forced air electric, and I think those can probably be kept going more or less forever. This one certainly has been repaired, and is not original. How knows how many sequencers have been in the thing? (Note to those who don't know: sequencers turn the furnace on and off slowly, one element at a time. An electric furnace pulls a lot of power, and switching it all on/off at once would not be good.) The original design certainly used a different sequencer scheme where at least one element would start up before the blower did. (Now the blower is first on/last off.) The blower motor is also not original.
Although it's forced air electric, and I think those can probably be kept going more or less forever. This one certainly has been repaired, and is not original. How knows how many sequencers have been in the thing? (Note to those who don't know: sequencers turn the furnace on and off slowly, one element at a time. An electric furnace pulls a lot of power, and switching it all on/off at once would not be good.) The original design certainly used a different sequencer scheme where at least one element would start up before the blower did. (Now the blower is first on/last off.) The blower motor is also not original.
toploader55
Well-known member
Old Floor Furnace
WOW !!!
We used to have one of those in our summer cottage on the Cape.
Toasty Warm. I used to stand on it while it was warming up until I couldn't stand the heat anymore. Uneven heat, but hey, it worked on chilly mornings.
WOW !!!
We used to have one of those in our summer cottage on the Cape.
Toasty Warm. I used to stand on it while it was warming up until I couldn't stand the heat anymore. Uneven heat, but hey, it worked on chilly mornings.
Empire
I wonder if its the same company. I have a (propane) gas fireplace that is an Empire in my downstairs and a gas Hearthstone up. Both work without power so I always have heat, just no power unless I want to mess with the generator.
I wonder if its the same company. I have a (propane) gas fireplace that is an Empire in my downstairs and a gas Hearthstone up. Both work without power so I always have heat, just no power unless I want to mess with the generator.
Thermostat
Is original and still working. I put two white dots on it because the numbers are too hard to read.
There's no forced air? When turned on, you can hear burners ignite, and some poping sounds. I also hear it when it shuts off..a click..and yes I stand over it when chilled LOL
Is original and still working. I put two white dots on it because the numbers are too hard to read.
There's no forced air? When turned on, you can hear burners ignite, and some poping sounds. I also hear it when it shuts off..a click..and yes I stand over it when chilled LOL
With grate
In place.
In place.
norgeway
Well-known member
It works on a millivolt thermostat
In other words gas going thru the valve generates enough current to operate the thermostat with no external power source, no fan, it works by convection, cold air falls in around the edges and rises up around the heat exchanger creating circulation, they still make this furnace and so it is replaceable.
In other words gas going thru the valve generates enough current to operate the thermostat with no external power source, no fan, it works by convection, cold air falls in around the edges and rises up around the heat exchanger creating circulation, they still make this furnace and so it is replaceable.
norgeway
Well-known member
Old Furnaces...
I know of a few in my hometown,there is a Methodist church that has the original 1947 York Heat oil furnace, the last time I serviced it it was running like a top, smooth and very quiet, There are lots of old 50s Lennoxes and Waterburys still running, the shame is the older furnace men have either retired or died and the first thing a new so called tech does is say its old and not safe, scaring a elderly homeowner into changing it to a new POS that is not a tenth as good.
I know of a few in my hometown,there is a Methodist church that has the original 1947 York Heat oil furnace, the last time I serviced it it was running like a top, smooth and very quiet, There are lots of old 50s Lennoxes and Waterburys still running, the shame is the older furnace men have either retired or died and the first thing a new so called tech does is say its old and not safe, scaring a elderly homeowner into changing it to a new POS that is not a tenth as good.
Grandmother
had an Empire propane floor furnace in her house. We were taught from a very young age to tiptoe around it when it was on. During the ice storm of 94 when the power was out, she cooked breakfast sitting on the floor beside it stirring the eggs while they slowly cooked. My grandfather said those were the best eggs he'd ever eaten!
had an Empire propane floor furnace in her house. We were taught from a very young age to tiptoe around it when it was on. During the ice storm of 94 when the power was out, she cooked breakfast sitting on the floor beside it stirring the eggs while they slowly cooked. My grandfather said those were the best eggs he'd ever eaten!
Hans
Thanks for the info, never did know exactly how it worked.
As far as I know this is the original furnace to the house (1934)
It's placed in the center hall, no heat upstairs.. Just have to open the door to the upstairs and let the heat go up for a short time to knock the chill off up there. In a cold climate this furnace wouldn't be enough to heat the square footage of this house, plus the 30 old double hung windows no insulation ect
I've lived with it for so long that I'm use to it. Its a matter of closing certain doors, and opening others part way to keep the house as evenly heated as possible. Ceiling fans help a little..
I notice during spring cleaning.. a type of grey soot that collects on the ceiling above the furnace, and on the tops of the door casting near it. Washes off easy enough with soap and water?
Was thinking I might have PG&E come out and do a safety check on it, as it hasn't been checked in years. (Hasn't tripped the Carbon Monoxide Detector yet! )
Thanks for the info, never did know exactly how it worked.
As far as I know this is the original furnace to the house (1934)
It's placed in the center hall, no heat upstairs.. Just have to open the door to the upstairs and let the heat go up for a short time to knock the chill off up there. In a cold climate this furnace wouldn't be enough to heat the square footage of this house, plus the 30 old double hung windows no insulation ect
I've lived with it for so long that I'm use to it. Its a matter of closing certain doors, and opening others part way to keep the house as evenly heated as possible. Ceiling fans help a little..
I notice during spring cleaning.. a type of grey soot that collects on the ceiling above the furnace, and on the tops of the door casting near it. Washes off easy enough with soap and water?
Was thinking I might have PG&E come out and do a safety check on it, as it hasn't been checked in years. (Hasn't tripped the Carbon Monoxide Detector yet! )
beekeyknee
Well-known member
Since I'm at my parents house I thought I'd take some pictures of their boiler. This furnace was put in fifty years ago and is still going strong. Lovely even hot water heat.
beekeyknee
Well-known member
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beekeyknee
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beekeyknee
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beekeyknee
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beekeyknee
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beekeyknee
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whirlcool
Well-known member
There are lots of old 50s Lennoxes and Waterburys still running, the shame is the older furnace men have either retired or died and the first thing a new so called tech does is say its old and not safe, scaring a elderly homeowner into changing it to a new POS that is not a tenth as good.
Yup, if you can't talk them into upgrading a furnace scare them into a new furnace. I have had techs try that on me before. It works, especially on the elderly.
We lived in a house that had a floor furnace in the center hall when we first moved here. It was a rent house. The furnace wouldn't always light when you wanted it to. The landlord said if it doesn't light up, just stomp on the floor next to the furnace and it'll light up then. Most of the time it would light up just fine. But sometimes you'd have to stomp a few times and then it would make a big "Whoosh!" and fire right up. We never left it on when we weren't at home.
Anyway one morning I was doing the furnace starting stomp and the dog we had at the time was watching me. I'd stomp the floor a few times and then the dog would look down the grate at the floor furnace. Then he would look at me. He had learned that when we stomp the furnace would make a "whoosh!" noise. It was the funniest thing to see.
Yup, if you can't talk them into upgrading a furnace scare them into a new furnace. I have had techs try that on me before. It works, especially on the elderly.
We lived in a house that had a floor furnace in the center hall when we first moved here. It was a rent house. The furnace wouldn't always light when you wanted it to. The landlord said if it doesn't light up, just stomp on the floor next to the furnace and it'll light up then. Most of the time it would light up just fine. But sometimes you'd have to stomp a few times and then it would make a big "Whoosh!" and fire right up. We never left it on when we weren't at home.
Anyway one morning I was doing the furnace starting stomp and the dog we had at the time was watching me. I'd stomp the floor a few times and then the dog would look down the grate at the floor furnace. Then he would look at me. He had learned that when we stomp the furnace would make a "whoosh!" noise. It was the funniest thing to see.
norgeway
Well-known member
RE Having safety check done..
If you do the first thing they will say is Its old and unsafe....That's the standard line for young inspectors who have a vendetta against anything that doesent have computer boards and electronic controls!If I were you I would crawl under the house while its burning and make sure there is no backpressure, if their is, tale the pipe loose from the furnace and be sure the chimney is not blocked.
If you do the first thing they will say is Its old and unsafe....That's the standard line for young inspectors who have a vendetta against anything that doesent have computer boards and electronic controls!If I were you I would crawl under the house while its burning and make sure there is no backpressure, if their is, tale the pipe loose from the furnace and be sure the chimney is not blocked.
2packs4sure
Well-known member
"gas going thru valve generates current" (Technical
It works on a millivolt thermostat
"In other words gas going thru the valve generates enough current to operate the thermostat with no external power source......"
Technically no, The pilot flame keeps a millivolt generator hot (like a big oversized thermocouple) , and the millivolt generator makes the voltage to switch the gas valve on thru the thermostat.
Back in the late 80's and early 90's i still had a few customers with floor heaters here in Houston that i serviced.
It works on a millivolt thermostat
"In other words gas going thru the valve generates enough current to operate the thermostat with no external power source......"
Technically no, The pilot flame keeps a millivolt generator hot (like a big oversized thermocouple) , and the millivolt generator makes the voltage to switch the gas valve on thru the thermostat.
Back in the late 80's and early 90's i still had a few customers with floor heaters here in Houston that i serviced.
polkanut
Well-known member
RickR,
is a member here who has a 1941 Lennox gravity gas furnace in his home. Scroll down to Reply #6.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?13925
is a member here who has a 1941 Lennox gravity gas furnace in his home. Scroll down to Reply #6.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?13925
A good friend in my neighborhood has a duplex built in 1936. Both sides are two stories and hers and the tenant's both have their original floor furnaces located near the bottom of the stairs. She has them serviced every year around this time by a notable plumbing and heating contractor here in town. Usually the guy will say something like, "You know I have to tell you that both should be replaced, but they're operating fine."
As I recall, the burner isn't anything like the pair of oblong ones on Stan's unit. It's round and when viewed from the top it has fins all around the side, I think, sort of resembling a refrigerator compressor. I'll try to get a picture and post it here.
As I recall, the burner isn't anything like the pair of oblong ones on Stan's unit. It's round and when viewed from the top it has fins all around the side, I think, sort of resembling a refrigerator compressor. I'll try to get a picture and post it here.
2packs4sure
Well-known member
"It's round and when viewed from the top it has fins all around the side, I think, sort of resembling a refrigerator compressor."
http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Royal_Metal_Works_Gas_Heater_1928s.jpg
http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Royal_Metal_Works_Gas_Heater_1929s.jpg
http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Royal_Metal_Works_Gas_Heater_1928s.jpg
http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Royal_Metal_Works_Gas_Heater_1929s.jpg
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Floor furnaces were more or less standard in some of the various flats in SF we lived in the 60's. None of them had thermostats; you turned them on and off with a big key with a long rod down to the gas line. Of course there was also a pilot light going all the time.
I never did like them much. They seemed drafty to me, and if you stood on them in bare or stocking feet you'd get burned. Later built structures could have wall furnaces, which weren't much better IMHO. I remember one flat in SF where my tiny bedroom had no heater at all. I picked up an ancient electric space heater at a thrift shop. It was 20's era, I think, with cast aluminum curved legs, cast aluminum frame, a cage, and a big ceramic tower around which an electric element was wound. No on/off switch; you plugged it in to turn it on, and unplugged it to turn it off. On one cold evening I plugged it in before going to sleep, and woke up a few hours later with the room searing hot. I felt like I was dying - at all of about 13 years old. I was barely able to stumble out of bed and open the door to my room to the relatively cold air of the hallway. I think my mom tossed the heater after that. Wouldn't mind having it now, it was a classic thing. And it certainly put out the BTU's.
I never did like them much. They seemed drafty to me, and if you stood on them in bare or stocking feet you'd get burned. Later built structures could have wall furnaces, which weren't much better IMHO. I remember one flat in SF where my tiny bedroom had no heater at all. I picked up an ancient electric space heater at a thrift shop. It was 20's era, I think, with cast aluminum curved legs, cast aluminum frame, a cage, and a big ceramic tower around which an electric element was wound. No on/off switch; you plugged it in to turn it on, and unplugged it to turn it off. On one cold evening I plugged it in before going to sleep, and woke up a few hours later with the room searing hot. I felt like I was dying - at all of about 13 years old. I was barely able to stumble out of bed and open the door to my room to the relatively cold air of the hallway. I think my mom tossed the heater after that. Wouldn't mind having it now, it was a classic thing. And it certainly put out the BTU's.
launderess
Well-known member
Early heating appliances without thermostats
It is amazing when you consider the number of appliances let lose on the consumer market in the early part of last century without any sort of heat control.
Electrically heated irons, ironers, space heaters, stoves, etc.. all had no other control over heating than connecting or disconnecting current. Consumer Union and later Consumers Reports hated these things declaring them totally unsafe.
When it came to cooking or say ironing one was supposed to use age old techniques from coal/wood fired methods of heating. You spat on the thing, touched with a moistened finger, flung drops of water or held near your cheek to gauge the temperature.
Have three Knapp Monarch "flatwork" irons from the 1920's or 1930's. They have no thermostats and thus will continue heating long as current is connected. Am here to tell you the things get hot enough to burn thick linen merely by a moments touch if left too long. Am quite sure if left prone would burn through the ironing table/cause a fire again as well if left too long.
It is amazing when you consider the number of appliances let lose on the consumer market in the early part of last century without any sort of heat control.
Electrically heated irons, ironers, space heaters, stoves, etc.. all had no other control over heating than connecting or disconnecting current. Consumer Union and later Consumers Reports hated these things declaring them totally unsafe.
When it came to cooking or say ironing one was supposed to use age old techniques from coal/wood fired methods of heating. You spat on the thing, touched with a moistened finger, flung drops of water or held near your cheek to gauge the temperature.
Have three Knapp Monarch "flatwork" irons from the 1920's or 1930's. They have no thermostats and thus will continue heating long as current is connected. Am here to tell you the things get hot enough to burn thick linen merely by a moments touch if left too long. Am quite sure if left prone would burn through the ironing table/cause a fire again as well if left too long.
When I first moved out on my own in 1970 the first little cottage that I rented in Petaluma, Calif, had a gas wall heater that had no thermostat, it was simply on or off, but it did have a pilot light. I too fell asleep a few times with it on and later woke up to excessive heat. A few years later I rented an apt. over a 4 car garage for the apt. building in front. It had a gas heater that had no pilot light or thermostat. I had to turn on the gas and quickly light the gas burner, if I wasn't quick enough that little heater would literally jump off the floor with a whoosh. I guess I was fortunate that I never had a serious accident with these old heaters. But back then I was just happy to be able to afford the rent. During my childhood I remember very well living in homes with floor furnaces. Once the furnace key dropped down the grate and all hell broke loose because the heater couldn't be lit until my father pulled off the grate and fished the furnace key out.
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