There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to keeping a home warm. One of the more popular options, however, is a wall furnace. A wall furnace is a heating system mounted on the wall, designed to heat a specific area or room in your home. It burns fuel, such as natural gas or propane, to produce heat.
However, like any heating system, wall furnaces come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of using a wall furnace in your home, so you can decide if it’s the right option.
Pros
Below are some of the most common pros of having a wall furnace.
- Space-Saving Design: This is likely the main reason people choose wall-mounted furnaces. Compared to other styles and options, a wall furnace only takes up a little bit of room. If you live in a small apartment or just want to take advantage of all the space in the home, this can make a wall furnace an attractive option.
- Energy Efficiency: Wall furnaces can be an energy-efficient heating option. They’re designed to heat a specific area, allowing you to control the temperature in individual rooms. By heating only the rooms you are using, you won’t be paying for wasted use.
- Quick Heating: Wall furnaces can heat a room very quickly. Since they’re designed only to heat a room or small section of a home, it doesn’t take long for a room to reach the desired temperature.
- No Ductwork Required: Unlike central heating systems, wall furnaces do not require ductwork for heat distribution. This is advantageous if your home doesn’t have existing ducts or if you want to avoid the cost and inconvenience of installing them. The absence
of ducts also means no energy loss due to leaky ductwork.
- Initial Cost: This is both a pro and con, but unlike a full HVAC system or installing a fireplace, a wall furnace is significantly less expensive. The initial cost will vary depending on features and brand, but overall, the initial cost of setting up a wall furnace is significantly lower than some other options.
Cons
Despite there being many pros of getting a wall furnace, it’s also important to consider some of the more common cons:
- Limited Heating Capacity: While a wall furnace isn’t heating up rooms of the house you don’t want warm, on the flip side, some complain that a wall furnace doesn’t keep a large enough space warm, particularly if the cold is intense, shrinking the area of warmth.
- Aesthetic Concerns: While wall furnaces are space-saving, some homeowners might not appreciate their appearance. Unlike central heating systems hidden from view, a wall furnace is quite visible and may not blend well with your interior decor.
- Installation Location: The effectiveness of a wall furnace largely depends on its installation location. If it’s placed in an obstructed area or a room with poor insulation, it may not deliver the desired level of comfort and energy efficiency. Unlike portable furnaces, getting this changed later can be very costly.
- Maintenance Requirements: Like any heating system, wall furnaces require regular maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation. This includes cleaning or replacing filters, checking for gas leaks, and inspecting the burner and ventilation. Failure to maintain the furnace properly can lead to performance issues or potential safety hazards. This is particularly true if using a highly flammable fuel such as propane.
- Initial Cost: The initial cost of purchasing and installing a wall furnace can be higher than other heating options. However, the potential energy savings over time may offset this initial expense.
Conclusion
By following this guide and looking at the pros and cons of your options, you can be confident in getting the right furnace to keep your home warm.