Wall Mounted Furnace FAQs
Q&A on Install or Repair of gas-fired wall heaters

Wall mounted direct-venting gas-fired heating furnace questions and answers:

Troubleshoot, repair or install gas wall furnaces or get gas wall furnace manuals, parts, technical support.

This article series describes wall mounted furnaces used for home heating. Usually these are gas-fired direct-vent units such as the gas furnaces described in the text below.

Wall-Mounted Gas Furnace Q&A

These questions and answers were posted originally

at WALL-MOUNTED FURNACES - be sure to review the installation, troubleshooting, and repair advice given there.

Shown at page top is an example of a gas-fired wall furnace used for heating residential homes or in some cases mobile homes. These example furnaces are Williams wall furnaces.

[Click to enlarge any image].

On 2020-09-26 - by (mod) -

Anon:

A homeowner does not normally clean the heater flue vent connector - that metal "pipe" that connects the heater's combustion gas outlet to the chimney.

That's something that's inspected and cleaned by the service technician during annual service.

Gas vents are almost always clean on inspection. A bit of debris may be brushed with a flue brush and vacuumed out;

Watch out: if you are seeing an accumulation of black soot in the heater vent or flue or chimney, shut the heater off immediately and leave it off, as it's likely that it's not venting safely and that it's producing potentially fatal carbon monoxide gas that, if leaking into the occupied space, can kill building occupants.

On 2020-09-26 by Anonymous

How do I clean or replace my duct that's going from my gas wall heater to the vent on the roof ?

On 2019-10-24 - by (mod) -

I can't give an authoritative answer across an entire product line because I don't know but the models that I have personally seen were quite quiet. Let's both do some research at the company's website to see if we can find any noise ratings

On 2019-10-23 by Liz

Does Empire Wall heater makes a lot of noise?

On 2019-10-19 - by (mod) -

Mike

Please check the ARTICLE INDEX for FURNACE CYCLES DURING HEAT where you will find some diagnostic steps for the condition that you've described

On 2019-10-17 by MIKE

WALL FURNACE BURNER GOES ON AND OFF BEFORE REACHING TEMP

On 2019-03-23 - by (mod) -

MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC - home at

https://inspectapedia.com/heat/HVAC_Manuals_Air_Conditioners_Boilers_Furnaces.php

has free PDF down loads -

On 2019-03-22 by Anonymous

Looking for a manual for a Hunter propane wall furnace model#GW50B-2.

On 2019-01-12 by (mod) - is it OK to put a radiator cover over a direct-vent wall furnace: No.

Emily, excerpting from Williams Comfort Products gas fired wall furnace instructions you can see that the manufacturer makes clear that you cannot box in or enclose the furnace

Please see complete details at WALL-MOUNTED FURNACE CLEARANCES

On 2019-01-11 by emily

can i cover my gas-fueled direct vent wall furnace with something like this?

On 2018-11-28 by (mod) - where to find information for a Triplex Direct Vent Gas Wall Heater

Gerald

Look for a removable cover or access to the heater, typically around its burner.

Inside the cover or inside the heater at that point you should find one or more data tags that will give the manufacturer brand and model number when you find that send me or post some sharp photos and will help you find the manuals.

Control knobs off and can be replaced with a substitute that simply fits the control shaft.

So you might take an old broken knob or simply measurements of the shaft to a local electrical or appliance repair store.

On 2018-11-28 by Gerald - need replacement control knobs for my Triplex brand gas wall heater

In Anchorage Ak. Have triplrx with topvent gas wall heaters my They are black and one is double sided.

They have a top that can be taken off with rounded corners and a manual thermostat knob from 1 to 10.

Can't find manufacturer name on any. Need replacement plastic knobs

On 2018-10-14 by (mod) - Is there someone in my area that can inspect empire gas wall furnace

A trained heating service tech who is equipped to check for carbon monoxide spillage, who can recognize proper flame color, shape and size, and who can confirm exhaust venting occurring, check fire clearances, etc.

Check with your local heating service companies.

On 2018-10-14 by jonpegjas

Is there someone in my area that can inspect empire gas wall furnace
To check if was vented properly.

On 2018-02-01 by (mod) -

Terry

Check the motor shaft ends and fan assembly shaft ends to see if there are oil fittings.
Also check the installation and operation manual for your air handler as the manufacturer will also list lubrication requirements.

On 2018-01-28 by Terry Varner

Is there anyplace on the blower motor or elsewhere that need oiled

On 2018-01-07 by (mod) -

Tracy,

I'm sorry but I can't answer your question. If you find the brand and model number of your heater you or we ought to be able to find the installation and operation manual for that specific heater. That document will have a parts explosion that shows the spring about which you're asking.

Or if the part is easy to remove, with the heater left off, bring the part to your heating supplier where you live and they *might* have the part.

On 2018-01-07 by Tracy brown

What is the tiny spring in a wallmounted 2 burner gas. Heater used for its broken unsprung

On 2017-11-18 by (mod) - Empire Comfort Systems, Inc., contact information & Manuals

Akita

An example manual for your unit is
http://empirezoneheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/37410-0-0616-ENFR-GWT-50W-1.pdf

A more-extensive collection of Empire Comfort Systems heater manuals is

at EMPIRE HEATING SYSTEMS - Empire Comfort Systems

Empire Heating, sadly, does not give a mailing address nor telephone number at their website but they do offer a contact page

http://empirezoneheat.com/contact-us/

They want you to take your troubles and worries to your Empire Furnace dealer - who is, after all, their customer (in my OPINION ) not you.
The plant is in Belleville, Illinois – located near St. Louis.
Using that I found this information:

Empire Comfort Systems, Inc.,
918 Freeburg Avenue
Belleville, IL 62222-0529 USA
Tel: 618-233-7420

John A. Hart is president and CEO but you don't need to bug him, instead give them a call, ask to speak to a technical support engineer and note that you have a safety and operation question about your heating system (and that your installer wasn't able to satisfy you).

I think that companies who make heating equipment have a great interest in keeping the ultimate users of their product safe and in assuring that their equipment is properly-installed.

Keep us posted. What you learn may help others.

On 2017-11-17 by akitadogmom

I have a model GWT 50w - 2. Empire gravity vented wall furnace. The pilot is loud I hear it. And the gas flex line is underneath the unit which I don't feel comfortable with it passed inspection the gas shut off valve is red

On 2017-11-18 by (mod) - where to find technical support & manuals for Empire Gas Furnaces

Akita

An example manual for your unit is available at

EMPIRE HEATING SYSTEMS - Empire Comfort Systems Furnace Manuals, Empire Heating Systems, Empire Comfort Systems, Inc., 918 Freeburg Ave., Belleville IL 62220, USA, Website: www.empirecomfort.com, Tel: 1-800-851-3153 or Tel: 618-233-7420

John A. Hart is president and CEO but you don't need to bug him, instead give them a call, ask to speak to a technical support engineer and note that you have a safety and operation question about your heating system (and that your installer wasn't able to satisfy you).

I think that all companies who make heating equipment have a great interest and expend considerable effort in keeping the ultimate users of their product safe and in assuring that their equipment is properly-installed.

Keep us posted. What you learn may help others.

On 2017-11-17 by akitadogmom

I have a model GWT 50w - 2. Empire gravity vented wall furnace. The pilot is loud I hear it. And the gas flex line is underneath the unit which I don't feel comfortable with it passed inspection the gas shut off valve is red

On 2017-11-17 by (mod) - the gas heater pilot is loud & when it fires up it sounds like the house is going to take off in space

Dog

I want to help but don't have objective data on what's "loud" or not. Give me the brand and model of heater and I can research specifics.

I would want to know first that the system is safe to use, that there are no gas leaks, and that the gas pressure is correct and that there has bee no LP vs Natural Gas set-up mixup.

Gas appliance noise can be due to a vibration problem or from other causes -GAS BURNER FLAME & NOISE DEFECTS https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas_Flame_Noise_Defects.php

and also at NOISE, WATER HEATER WHISTLE - https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Tankless-Gas-Water-Heater-Screaming.php

Researchers have reported other sources of gas heating appliance noise:

• Joyce, John V. "Gas-fired heaters with burners having a substantially sealed combustion chamber." U.S. Patent 5,435,716, issued July 25, 1995.
• Rodgers, Ian M. "Water heater with low emission gas burner." U.S. Patent 5,791,298, issued August 11, 1998. - addresses pulse vibration noises
• Farahan, Ebrahim. Residential electric and gas water heaters. No. ANL/CES/TE--77-2. ANL (Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)), 1977.

"Hard pipe" gas lines are in my OPINION safer than flexible lines where the piping may be exposed to physical damage. Both types of piping are, properly selected and installed, approved for use in most jurisdictions. "Properly installed" flexible gas piping can require additional protection in some locations such as outdoors where exposed to damage.

See GAS PIPING, FLEXIBLE CSST https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/CSST_Gas_Piping.php for more details on that material.

On 2017-11-17 by akitadogmom

Is it better to hard pipe in instead of using a gas flex line 4 double wall sided gas wall heater

Just had a double sided gas wall heater installed just simply the pilot light on is very loud the plumber turned it down as low as possible he said is this normal for it to be just loud with the pilot light on as well as they have the gas flex line underneath the unit

it did pass inspection in a green tag but this unit just simply on with the pilot is loud and then when it fires up it sounds like the house is going to take off in space is this normal as well

On 2017-11-16 0 by (mod) - permit needed to install a wall heater

Most likely, yes. But the correct answer depends on where you live since code enforcement regulations vary

However in any case I recommend that you got a permit and all of the recommended inspections from your local building department since all of that work will make you safer. An imroperly installed wall heater could be dangerous

On 2017-11-16 by Hilda Johnson

D0 one a permit to install a wall heater

On 2017-11-14 by (mod) - Do the louvers on the heat shield face up or downw on a gas wall furnace?

Usually louvers face down, as you will see on the cover page of the manual for this Williams Model 2509612 top vent gas fired wall furnace.

If you don't have the manual or need to contact the manufacturer, see

WILLIAMS GAS FURNACE MANUALS
at https://inspectapedia.com/heat/HVAC-Manuals-Air-Conditioners-Boiler-Furnaces-T-Z.php#WilliamsGas

On 2017-11-14 by jdmjesse@aol.com

Do the louvers on the heat shield face downwards on a Williams model 2509612. They were removed for cleaning, however, I am not sure which direction the louvers should be reinstalled, slanted downwards - same as the face panel

The flame on my gas wall heater is over flowing out of burner... and it is concerning. Any thoughts on why or what we need to do to adjust?

The Williams furnace is the exact one shown above on this home page and is set up per "Wall Mount Furnace Installation Specifications" supplied by Williams. Not sure I can make any changes in shape and size of the vent opening. Guess I'll just have to check for small gaps or something which may cause a whistle on ignition. Thanks for your reply.

On 2017-10-21 by (mod) - Williams Direct vent propane wall heater that makes a rather loud whistling noise

Tom,

I worked with two Bosch-trained service technicians in Guanajuato who were addressing a similar problem -

see WATER HEATER WHISTLE NOISE - screaming tankless water heater diagnosis

The techs examined the system, noted that the whistling screeching sound from that gas fired heater developed when the gas burner rate increased from its lower settings. By feeling around and experimenting with partial blockage of an air intake at the top of the heater (around the exhaust flue connector) they decided that a small change in the shape and size of that opening would stop the noise.

That worked.

Beware that fooling with combustion air or exhaust on any gas appliance risks causing dangerous, even fatal carbon monoxide gas production, so take care, consult with the manufacturer for advice, and be sure you have a properly-installed, working CO and smoke detector where needed.

On 2017-10-21 by Tom

I have a Williams Direct vent propane wall heater that makes a rather loud whistling noise when the main burner ignites. I'm thinking it may be the exterior vent cap that's causing the issue due to the rapid exchange of air during ignition. Otherwise it works fine. Any ideas before I start taking it apart?

On 2017-10-10 by (mod) - wall mounted gas heater fan runs even though the thermostat is off

A manual FAN-ON switch could be set at the thermostat or at the limit switch in the air handler/furnace itself, or wires could be shorted together in the thermostat wiring, or there could be a bad fan controller itself.

See FAN WONT STOP - LIMIT SWITCH https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Furnace_Fan_Wont_Stop.php for detailed diagnostic suggestions

Also see FAN LIMIT SWITCH at https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Fan_Limit_Switch_Guide.php

On 2017-10-10 by Gail

Have a wall mounted gas heater. The thermostat has been off all summer, but the fan is turning. What could be the problem?

On 2017-09-08 by (mod) - can't get Williams Gas Furnace to light

Ken

Sounds as if you've got all the right parts.

I've sometimes found that when a heater has been off for months it can take several minutes of holding down a pilot gas valve to get the air out.

Typically if you loosened a connection near the pilot and air then gas hissed out, you've purged air. If you then smell gas at the pilot probably you've got gas there.

I'd suspect that even with the wrong orifice there would be enough gas flow to at least see some flame at the pilot even if it won't stay lit.

BUT (guessing as I don't know your specific unit) IF there is a thermocouple that is defective or if the end of a thermocouple that screws into a gas valve isn't making good connection, or if the flame sensing end of the thermocouple is not in the flame, THEN while holding down a pilot in ignite position you still should see a flame, (light it with a match or independent sparker igniter) even if the flame then goes out when you release the ignition position of the pilot ignite control.

At this point I'd call the company to ask for help.

At WILLIAMS GAS FURNACE MANUALS https://inspectapedia.com/heat/HVAC-Manuals-Air-Conditioners-Boiler-Furnaces-T-Z.php#WilliamsGas
we give the company's contact information - call back and ask for technical support.

Do let me know what you're told as doubtless that will help other readers.

On 2017-09-08 by Ken

...typo, it should say : I tried for a half an hour to light it....

Yes, I installed the other regulator that came with the conversion kit, and it all went well with the installation... just can't get the pilot to light...

it seems to be not getting any propane...I know there is flow to the heater as I loosened a flare nut a little at the heater and sprayed with a soap solution and got bubbles...I tried for a half an hour to look hot to allow air to evacuate the line... I somehow feel that it's the new pilot valve/orifice that was in the kit, but have no way of verifying...

On 2017-09-08 by (mod) - conversion instructions LP to NG for a gas furnace

Ken: the conversion instructions would typically have also said something about converting the regulator, such as I show in our article on fuel conversion.

On 2017-09-08 by Ken

In the kit, there was an orifice for the main burner, an orifice or a valve for the pilot and a regulator with a diaphragm/ gasket...

On 2017-09-08 by (mod) - how to light the pilot on a Williams Furnace

Ken:

Also see "how to I light my Pilot" a video on Williams Furnace's faqs page at https://www.williamscomfortprod.com/faq/

On 2017-09-08 y Ken

Yes, it was a Williams conversion kit for that model number...

On 2017-09-08 by (mod) - trouble converting a Williams Gas Furnace from Natural Gas to Propane

Ken:

What does your Williams gas furnace I&O Manual say about installation and troubleshooting? The copy I found online notes that some models are Natural Gas only and other models are Propane Only. I worry that the model was not intended for conversion.

Williams DOES provide conversion kits to change between LP and Propane gas. If you spoke with Williams and gave your model ID and they agreed on the conversion kit then it should be correct.

Typically changing fuels requires changing one or more gas orifices AND the appliance gas regulator. Often the regulator is convertible, that is a part is flipped over or changed in the regulator, rather than a wholesale replacement.

When we know that the unit is fully set up for the right fuel, next we confirm fuel delivery.

Also see GAS APPLIANCE CONVERT LP-to-NATURAL GAS https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas_Conversion_LP_NG.php where we describe typical gas conversion procedures and include typical warnings from the manufacturers about the fire and explosion hazards, so do take care.

If you can do this without causing a fire or explosion by disconnecting something that might be useful. I would not work alone and I'd take great care in any test procedure not to risk fire or explosion. Normally even if the wrong regulator or orifice were installed you'd still get gas at the burner and at the pilot but the flame would be improper, too weak or too strong.

Often when a gas hookup is new it takes some time to get air out of the gas line, though I note that yours is pretty short.

On 2017-09-07 by Ken

I just bought a new Williams 14000 but direct vent wall furnace that was set up for natural gas. I installed the propane replacement kit and it all went well.

I hooked it up to propane on a dedicated 3/8 OD line of ten feet. No leaks. I can't get the pilot lit for the very first try. I loosened the pilot control screw and tried continuously for 30 minutes trying to manually light it through the observation port as suggested in the manual... what next? I live off the grid st the end of the road... a gas tech is not easy...

On 2017-06-25 by George Taylor

I have a 7 year old nat gas wall heater with a theromstate that takes batteries, in 110 degree heat the heater fan came on & wont go off. it is not putting off heat just has the fan running

On 2017-05-03 by (mod) - turn off a wall heater that won't shut off

Nay

If your wall mounted heater is putting out heat when "not in use" then it is unsafe because a control that should turn it off is not doing so. I would un-plug or turn off power to the unit if it is connected to electricity and turn off fuel (presumably gas), then call a repair person.

On 2017-05-03 by Nay

Hi,
I have a question about the tall white one in the first picture. This is putting out heat when not in use. More so towards the top of the unit. Now with it being the summer time...it's adding extra heat in an otherwise already warm space. Does anyone know why this is? and if there are any suggestions to cool it down?

Fan stays on

On 2016-01-24 by (mod) - gas burner makes popping sounds

Anon:

Regarding the question beginning "My heater is not even 5 years old" = I don't understand the question. If you mean a gas fired heating appliance is making a popping noise that sounds dangerous, risking a gas explosion. The problem could be a bad valve or control.

Watch out: That is unsafe. I suggest turning off the gas supply and heater, then calling your service technician for repair.

See also POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

On 2016-01-17 by Anonymous

My heater is not even 5 yrs old an it pop like the gas pops to top of wall heater its a empire beand its cleaned out and everything the thermal cup was change 2 weeks ago an then it started doing that i need help

On 2016-01-16 by Anonymoos

Ted.. Mine was doing that also after many years of being old. Betsy.. If it is younger than 25 years get it cleaned! Service it! I am getting a new wall heater next week as mine is really got to go..

On 2016-01-15 by ted

My furnace make a poping noise like alot of gas an it pops an flames come out on top like a explosion it a wall heater empire brand

On 2016-01-14 by Anonymous

How do I know which one it is? What can I look for?

On 2016-01-14 by (mod) - safety limit control should turn the heater off at high temperature

In the second case a safety limit control should turn the heater off.

I don't know. Some heaters operate in 2 modes, convection and fan driven forced circulation (to increase heat output).

If your unit is one thar requires the fan to run always, if you operate it without the fan it could become damaged or unsafe

On 2016-01-14 by Anonymous - need fan motor for 50 year old vented long style gas wall heater

I have a wonderful 50 year old vented long style gas wall heater. The fan motor is out. Can I use the heater?

On 2015-11-23 by (mod) - middle flame is too high on gas wall heater

The heater you describe is unsafe risking a dangerous gas leak fire or possibly even explosion in extreme cases.

Problem may be an improperly adjusted air shelter, or a damaged burner, or a gas leak. The system needs to be inspected and repaired by a trained technician.

On 2015-11-22 by Cathy

On a wall gas heater When it is lit the middle brick flame is to high but the second brick is normal. What's going on

On 2015-02-21 by (mod) - when the heater cycles the pilot goes out

Craig,

It could be just a pilot adjustment or a failing thermocouple, but because the loss of pilot could men loss of heat or dangerous conditions you ought to ask foe service by a trained heating service technician.

On 2015-02-18 by craig

when the heater cycles the pilot goes out

...

Continue reading at WALL-MOUNTED FURNACES - topic home, select a topic from closely-related articles below, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WALL MOUNTED GAS FURNACE FAQs-2 - more recent questions & answers about wall-mounted heating furnaces.

Or see these

Wall-mounted Furnace Articles

• CARBON MONOXIDE WARNINGS: HOME HEATERS
• COMBUSTION AIR REQUIREMENTS
• DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE - home
• DIRECT VENTS / SIDE WALL VENTS
• FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS, GAS
• MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC - home
• NO HEAT - FURNACE
• WALL-MOUNTED FURNACES
• WALL-MOUNTED FURNACE CLEARANCES

Suggested citation for this web page

WALL MOUNTED GAS FURNACE FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING FURNACES

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