After five years of heating an older California house with a floor furnace, one homeowner turned to Reddit to ask whether it was safe to keep using. 

Here's what to know

In a Reddit thread on r/hvacadvice, the original poster shared images of the unit, which they said provides the home's only heat.

According to the homeowner, the house was built in 1920 even though the furnace itself is newer. The system is tied to a modern wall thermostat, and stays off from spring through fall.

"We've been using it since we moved in (hooked up to a modern wall thermostat) but it just occurred to me we've never done any maintenance," the original poster wrote. "Pilots been on throughout. Anything we should be considering?"

Replies generally treated the furnace as potentially usable, but the repeated advice was to get it checked. One commenter wrote, "Have a technician who knows floor furnaces look at it. They're normally fine to use," while also warning that exposed grates can burn bare feet.

For homeowners weighing whether to maintain or replace an aging heater, upgrading heating and cooling is one of the best ways to save money on utility bills and protect against rising energy prices. Palmetto can help homeowners understand their HVAC options and reduce their energy bills with newer, more efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps. 

Its Comfort Plan network can help readers find efficient heating and cooling solutions for their home and connect them with vetted installers.

More background

Venting came up as a separate concern. After one commenter said, "My biggest concern with floor heaters is if the flue is properly setup," the homeowner replied that the house has "a large flue running horizontal through the crawlspace and then up the side of the house" and added that they had put in a carbon monoxide alarm.

The discussion also drew people who recognized the older setup right away. Remembering a similar setup, one commenter said a hallway unit once required a "3 ft leap during winter to not burn your feet!"

So, the recurring issue was placement. The original poster clarified that their grate is positioned between two rooms, in a spot that is hard to avoid.

What can be done?

The homeowner said the property is "becoming a rental," and also revealed they are considering heat pumps. They described the furnace as something that "seems like a huge liability," adding that "this one could melt or ignite your shoes if you stood on it."

They made it clear that it was on the outs, especially as renters move in.

"Will be sad to see it go," they admitted. "I have a whole system of fans to distribute the heat from this around the house."

If an older system no longer feels practical, replacing it can address both safety concerns and energy costs. Palmetto's Comfort Plan includes $0-down options that can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50% and includes 12 years of free maintenance.

Homeowners can also pair solar panels with electric appliances, including efficient HVAC systems, to drive utility costs even lower. EnergySage makes it easy to compare solar options and find the best solar system and installer for a home and budget, and it can help homeowners save up to $10,000 on solar installations.

Where can I learn more?

A question like this can also raise bigger concerns about furnace safety and whether an older unit is worth replacing.

• One family rushed out of the house after a furnace explosion filled a bedroom with foul-smelling fog.

• A worried parent learned their old furnace is putting the whole family in danger.

• After a gas smell near a new furnace, one homeowner found that 180 ppm is too high.

• Homeowners weighing replacements often compare heat pump vs. furnace costs, comfort, and long-term efficiency.

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