Gas-Fired Wall and Floor Heaters

In mild climate zones in primarily in older homes, wall or floor heaters may be the primary heating system for a home’s individual rooms. The problems related to gas-fired wall heaters are typically due to lack of service. Neglected heaters are notorious for producing excessively high levels of carbon monoxide. However, the short-term danger to inspectors is generally limited to being burned by an overly hot face panel. Floor heaters are less common but their main hazard is also hot surfaces.

Do Not Operate Gas Valves

Inspectors who find gas valves off should leave them off.

In the floor heater pictured above, the propane was shut off at a valve located behind the lower panel. The buyer’s agent wanted to test the heater, and when the inspector declined to operate the gas valve, the agent’s husband (a contractor) opened the valve. The pilot refused to light and the valve stuck in the “open” position. Propane flowed into the room for about 10 minutes, after which the contractor was able to close the valve and stop the flow. This heater was near a door, so with doors and windows open, gas did not accumulate to a dangerous level. If this were to happen in a small room with a little means of ventilation, a spark from a light switch or fixture could ignite the accumulated gas.