How to Replace an Old Floor Heater

If you have an old Pre-1980s gas floor heater in your house you may want to change it out with a modern, safe, more efficient unit. Many houses from the dawn of natural gas and propane have still working old gas heaters. They are a bit unsafe. New heaters have systems that turn off if knocked over, push button ignition, may hang on the wall giving more floor space and removing knock over hazards, and some models have thermostats. Any heater made before 1980 should be examined for safety. When in doubt replace it.

Here I will tell you how to install a new wall or floor unit.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• crescent wrench.
• Teflon plumbing tape
• new compatible gas or propane hose.
• spray bottle with soapy water.
• new energy efficient, safety gas heater
• CO2 detector

1. 
   gas valve

   Step 1. Turn OFF the gas at the valve connected to the line that goes into your heater. It should look similar to the photograph. When the valve is parallel to the pipe the gas is on, when it is at a 90 degree angle to the pipe it is OFF. If you gas line does not have a turn off you should get a plumber to install one on each gas or propane outlet that runs into your house.

2. 
   old heater

   Step 2 remove the flexible hose from the gas line. Use a crescent wrench to unscrew the coupling. Remember right to tighten and left to loosen. Once the pipe is removed, you can remove the entire unit. Disconnect the hose and keep it to take to the hardware store for a replacement.
   
   You will need to buy a new hose and fitting to fit your new heater. You will also need Teflon plumbing tape for the installation of your new heater

3. 
   new wall unit

   Step 3. Buying a heater. Make certain that the stove you buy fits the kind of gas you have going into your house. Propane and Natural Gas are the two gases used for heating. Make certain that the hose connections and hose are for the right gas also. If you get the wrong connections you will have a gas leak which can cause a gas leak. That can be fatal or start a fire.
   
   Buy a system that is energy star rated (efficiency), has an automatic ignition system (push button or turn dial), and uses the right type of gas. You need to get one big enough for your space but not oversized. most of these heaters are ventless, and must be monitored for C02 emissions. Do not put oversized heaters in bathrooms.
   
   You can choose either a wall unit or floor model to replace your existing unit. I prefer wall units because they are out of the way and do not have the risk of being knocked over, items blowing under them or anything flammable being placed on them.

4. Step 4. If you purchased a wall heater, follow the manufacturer's instructions and hang it on the wall. Once satisfied, remove it and go to the next step. For a floor unit skip this step.

5. 
   Teflon Tape

   Step 5. Taking your Teflon tape wrap the connection from you flexible gas hose to the heater with the tape (see attached graphic). Wrap the tape in a counter clockwise direction covering the threads of the connector. When you put the male end into the female (the hole) the Teflon tape will give you a gas proof seal.
   
   Tighten with your crescent wrench until snug.

6. 
   gas pipe connection

   Step six. Now put Teflon tape on the male connector on the gas flexible hose and screw into the gas line connection next to the gas shut off. Do not kink the gas line. Tighten until snug.

7. 
   gas connection

   Step 7. If you have a wall unit hang your heater, if not position your floor heater. Now turn the gas on by moving your shut off valve to be inline with the gas pipe. Smell for gas or propane. If you smell it, turn off the gas immediately at the valve. If not, use your spray bottle spraying the area where the hose connect to the gas line and where the hose connects to the heater. If you see bubbles turn off the gas immediately.
   
   Bubble or gas smell? Disconnect the gas flex hose and remove the Teflon tape and re-wrap the connectors threads with Teflon plumbing tape.
   
   When satisfied, reconnect and check again. If you still fail call a plumber for installation.
   
   If you have no leaks, then follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting your heater to check that it works.

8. Step eight. If you do not have one, install a smoke and CO2 detector in all rooms with gas or propane heaters. It is also recommended that you have at least on ABC fire extinguisher in your house.
   
   Your new installation should give you years of safe heat.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not feel comfortable hooking up any gas or propane equipment contact the gas / propane company or a plumber for installation.
• If you can not get your connections to seal call a plumber.
• Fallow the instructions, ensure your installing the right type heater (propane or natural gas) for your system.
• Do get a smoke CO2 detector to save your family form smoke or asphyxiation.